Xavier Rathan-Mayes – Here to Lead

When you think about great Illawarra Hawks players over the 43 seasons of the franchise, it’s backcourt play that really stands out.

From the OG himself Gordie McLeod and his partner-in-crime Alphonse Hammond in the late 1980s, to one of the greatest single season imports in National Basketball League history in Doug Overton in 1992, the legendary Mat Campbell and later names like Gary Ervin, Tywain McKee, Rotnei Clarke, Kevin Lisch and Tyler Harvey – heck, let’s even toss LaMelo Ball into the list – Illawarra guards have been some of the best to ever grace an NBL floor.

Fans saw just how impactful a guard can be at this level last season when Tyler Harvey exploded with full force in leading the Hawks to within one game of the Grand Final on the back of a First Team All-NBL campaign. His ballhandling, floater game and of course unlimited shooting range were all huge reasons why Illawarra made their spectacular playoff run in NBL21.

But Tyler also shouldered an enormous burden. A burden that the Hawks are hoping that the addition of 6’4” guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes can lessen to a degree this season and make the returning Hawks’ star that much more effective.

A star at Florida State University in the powerful Atlantic Coast Conference where he faced NBA-level talent on a regular basis, Rathan-Mayes is a legitimate two-way player who was a conference All-Defensive selection in 2017 and played five games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2017/18 NBA season.

The Canadian-born guard is also noted as an explosive scorer who once scored a ridiculous 30 points in less than five minutes in a game against the University of Miami, and he’s been well-travelled with stops in the NBA G-League, Israel, Greece, and Romania.

Xavier’s experience, ability to facilitate an offence, score the ball and defend at a high level are all traits the Hawks believe will take a lot of pressure off Tyler Harvey – opposing teams will have to pick their poison when Tyler and Xavier are on the floor together and as a result, Harvey doesn’t figure to see as many double teams this season.

That’s all good news for Hawks’ fans, who will witness a team this season that is – on paper at least – one of the most talented the franchise has ever put on the floor, including a backcourt that is not only deeper and bigger than in recent years but is going to be able to attack opposition defences in a variety of ways.

“We’re really excited to have Xavier on board,” Illawarra Hawks President and Co-Owner Dorry Kordahi said.

“He’s a bigger point guard who gives us an extra dimension.”

“We know he can score and defend and he’s also a great distributor. He’s got a unique skillset and he’ll really add a lot to our backcourt rotation.”

“I’m excited to see what he brings to the table. I actually think he’s going to be a real sleeper in this league; in that people may not know much about him and he’ll surprise a lot of people.”

“There’s a great opportunity there for him and I know he’s excited to be here.”

Xavier arrived in Wollongong this week for his first look at his new team and was immediately impressed by what he saw.

“This is a close-knit group of guys, and they are very family-oriented,” he said.

“Everybody loves each other and supports each other, and that’s unique. You don’t find that very often and it’s a special thing to be a part of that. Everyone has been so welcoming.”

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of this organisation.”

The new Hawks’ point guard is also looking forward to being coached by the greatest to ever do it on these shores, six-time NBL champion and the man who led Australia to an historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, one Brian Goorjian.

“I’ve heard only amazing things,” Xavier said of the mighty ‘Goorj’.

“I’ve talked to a whole bunch of people; people have called me and told me about Goorj. He’s a players’ coach, and in the conversations we’ve had, he’s told me to be myself and play off my instincts; to help this team win.”

“To hear that from my coach is special; that’s all you want to hear and have that confidence put into you from your head coach.”

“He’s got an amazing pedigree and I’m looking forward to helping him in any way I can; ultimately competing for a championship.”

That championship is a realistic goal this season for a Hawk outfit that boasts size, scoring to burn and a true defensive mindset. And while Xavier has the kind of varied skills that can help a title-chasing ballclub, there’s one thing in particular that he feels he brings to the team this season.

“Leadership,” he said.

“From the leadership aspect, I’m someone who can really get guys involved at a high level.”

“I think I’m just in such a great position with such great guys around me that’s they’ll make it so easy for me. It’s really just pick your poison with the kind of guys we have. I’m looking forward to fitting in and doing whatever it takes to win a championship.”

Fortunately for Xavier, he’s already got experience playing alongside one of the squad – Antonius Cleveland, who was his teammate in the NBA G-League team Texas Legends. That familiarity will be helpful in assisting him to quickly integrate into the playing group. But there’s one guy Xavier is excited to be getting on court with – and not surprisingly, it’s exactly who you would expect.

“The one guy I’m really looking forward to playing with is Tyler,” Xavier enthused.

“I know he shouldered a lot of burden last year and I think I can help him and really take a lot of pressure off him.”

“On any given night, it will be ‘who are you going to guard tonight?’ I think that’s going to be special to have a backcourt like us that is so dynamic in so many ways. You can bring me off the ball, you can bring Tyler off the ball; and obviously we have a great group of bigs.”

“We just have such a great group of guys that complement each other in so many different ways, and that’s what I’m looking forward to the most – just being able to put those pieces together as a team and be able to go out there and excel.”

“There’s not going to be one person you can take away on our team. We have so many different options and so many different guys that can do so many different things, and that’s really exciting.”

You heard the man, Hawks fans. Xavier is excited, and so should you be for the upcoming National Basketball League season.

It’s a ballclub that has tremendous potential, and as with most great Hawk teams over the years, much will depend on the output of an Illawarra backcourt that could add its stamp on the team just like all the greats of the past.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes is determined to add to that great Illawarra Hawks guard legacy.

He’s here to lead.