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Most of the 2015 All-ACC Freshman Team became 1st round NBA draft picks after winning a national title (Duke’s Jahlil Okafor/Tyus Jones/Justise Winslow), while a 4th remains stuck behind 3 teammates who all scored more than he did last year (North Carolina’s Justin Jackson). The 5th, Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes, led his team in scoring last year with almost 15 PPG, and returned to school so that he can keep trying to break his father Tharon’s records. The 1st freshman in the illustrious history of the ACC to score 30+ PTS in at least 3 games, he was also 1 of only 2 freshmen in the nation (along with Maryland’s Melo Trimble) to lead his team in PPG/APG/SPG last year. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Xavier about being teammates with Andrew Wiggins and having the best 5 minutes of his life against Miami.
You were born in Canada: how did you 1st get into the sport of basketball? My dad introduced me to the game and we would work out every single morning. I just fell in love with it.
1 of your teammates at Huntington Prep was fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins: could you tell even back then that he was going to become a star? Definitely: he always had a great work ethic and a drive to be great. He never wanted to lose so I knew early on that he was destined to do big things in the NBA.
Your father played basketball for the Seminoles and remains 1 of the top-25 scorers in school history: how much of an influence was he on your own decision to attend Florida State and/or wear #22? He was a big influence on my decision because I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and try to break some of his records. He was my biggest role model and I wear #22 to honor him and represent everything that he did.
You play for Coach Leonard Hamilton: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He is a father-figure who I can talk to about anything in my life. He has a great relationship with his players and always puts us first. The most important lessons he has taught us are off the court: how to one day be great men/husbands.
You played SG in high school: how difficult was it to make the transition to PG in college? I played PG during my final year of high school, which was a position that I always wanted to play. It was a little tough last year but my coaches/teammates believed in me and helped me get through the tough times and develop into the player I am still becoming. It takes a lot of film study but is getting easier.
Last February you scored 30 PTS (including 26 in a row) in the final 4:38 of a 4-PT loss to Miami: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It was something that I have never felt before: it seemed like I was by myself in a quiet gym. It was a historic run when I look back on it, but it does not matter that much because we lost the game.
You finished the year by being named to the All-ACC freshman team and were 1 of only 2 freshman in the nation (with Melo Trimble of Maryland) to lead his team in PPG/APG/SPG: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? The biggest thing for me is my work ethic. I always try to be the hardest worker no matter where I go: I want to be the 1st 1 to get to the gym and the last 1 to leave. I am dedicated to getting better each day.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against Iowa/VCU/Mississippi State/Florida: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? We are looking forward to all of those games, but I am most looking forward to playing up in Gainesville. My dad has taught me about the rivalry and I have definitely circled it on my calendar. It will test our character and show us how good a team we are.
Your team returns its entire starting backcourt from last season (Montay Brandon/Devon Bookert/yourself): how on earth is McDonald’s All-American Dwayne Bacon going to be able to get any minutes?! Dwayne is a big-time player so he will find a way to get some minutes. He has worked hard and soaked up a lot of knowledge so I do not think it will be a struggle for him.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My biggest goal is to win: I hope we can win an ACC title and make a deep run in the ACC tourney.