X-Man: Melbourne United sign Xavier Rathan-Mayes
Melbourne United have signed exciting guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes to their NBL23 roster. (Photo: Illawarra Hawks)
Reigning NBL regular season champions Melbourne United have added lethal Canadian combo guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes to their roster for NBL23.
Standing at six foot four, XRM is a potent scorer with an ability to create for others with his passing and space creation. Last season he finished second in voting for the NBL’s Sixth Man of the Year behind United championship winner Shea Ili.
Rathan-Mayes played last season with the Illawarra Hawks, he averaged 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
United fans will be very familiar with his name when he played his best game of the season against Melbourne. Putting up 25 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in a Illawarra victory at John Cain Arena.
Speaking to MU Media, Rathan-Mayes is “super excited” to be joining United for the 2022/23 season.
“I’m just super excited to be a part of an organisation like Melbourne United,” he said.
“I’m excited to get down there and join this group… I think we’ve got the chance to be really special. I’m going to have the ability to play with such great players and fit right in with the championship culture that Dean (Vickerman) and his staff have created.”
“I love the city of Melbourne. I love John Cain Arena, it very much feels like an NBA Arena. It was always super exciting to come play in front of the Melbourne United fans. Their rowdiness, their energy and the atmosphere they created was pretty awesome.”
United coach Dean Vickerman is thrilled add XRM to their roster.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing in Xavier,” he said.
“We’ve seen him around Hoop City a lot this offseason and he really impressed us. Goorj (Brain Goorjian) couldn’t have spoken about him more highly, which means a lot.”
“He showed what he can do in this league last season, and we’re confident he can do even more within our system.”
He joins Shea Ili, Rayjon Tucker, Makuach Maluach, Chris Goulding, Josh Duach (DP), Zac Tripplet (DP), Brad Newley, Mason Peatling, David Okwera, Isaac Humphries and Ariel Hukporti (NS) on United’s roster.
United’s season starts on October 2nd when they play the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena.