The Illawarra Hawks have announced the signing of Canadian guard Xavier Rathan- Mayes for the 2021/22 NBL season.

The 27-year-old lands at the Hawks after recently completing a season at Romanian club BC CSU Sibiu – and has stops at NBA clubs, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies on his resume.

Rathan-Mayes has also spent time at NBA G-League outfits the Agua Caliente Clippers, the Texas Legends and the Westchester Knicks - and represented Canada at world youth level. Rathan-Mayes will be the club’s third and final import, replacing Travis Trice who mutually agreed to part ways with the club due to COVID-19 related issues.

Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach and former NBL import, Phil Handy, said Rathan-Mayes had enormous potential and was a fantastic pickup for the Hawks.

"Xavier is an NBA talent. He spent two weeks working in our facility and was professional at the highest level. One of the first ones in the gym and always one of the last to leave. He's a student of the game with a dynamic skill set. I think he will be a great player in the NBL," Handy said.

Illawarra Hawks President and Co-Owner, Dorry Kordahi, said the signature of Rathan- Mayes was an integral one in the final makeup of the side’s roster.

"Xavier is a talented guy who has made a great impression on some of the best basketball minds in the world. We're thrilled 'X' has decided to join the Hawks and we look forward to welcoming him to Wollongong," Kordahi said.

Illawarra Hawks Head Coach, Brian Goorjian, said Rathan-Mayes was a pivotal piece of the puzzle for the club.

"We needed another primary ball-handler to compliment the guys we already
have and Xavier [Rathan-Mayes] fits the bill. He has been in and around some top-
level basketball clubs and that experience will fit perfect with our relatively young group. He'll have an important role to play in our back court and we're looking forward to getting him in a Hawks jersey this season," Goorjian said.

Rathan-Mayes will arrive in Australia in the coming weeks, before joining Sam
Froling, Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak, Tyler Harvey, Isaac White, AJ Ogilvy, Duop Reath, Harry Froling, Antonius Cleveland and Lachlan Dent on the Illawarra Hawks 2021/22 roster.