re: 2013 Alabama Football Recruiting Thread - DH Decommited from UGA

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Landon Collins

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My favorite post was the one saying that CNS sent players to TR's NSD PC to intimidate him

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With the signing of Devonta Pollard, Anthony Grant continues to put the University of Alabama on the map in recruiting, and he's after another ESPN 100 prospect in 2013, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, a combo guard who's considered one of the best 3-point shooters in the class.


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Kent Sanborn of Southern Ohio Sports
Xavier Rathan-Mayes is interested in playing some point guard at the next level.The Canada native already has more than 30 scholarship offers from some of the top programs in the country, but he likes the Crimson Tide because of their style of play and the coaching staff.

"I just like the way they play, their up-and-down style, a lot of ball screens and stuff like that," Rathan-Mayes said. "I'm trying to develop a good relationship with Coach (John) Brannen and the coaching staff down there. It's definitely looking like a positive.

"I've talked to [Coach Grant] three or four times. He also seems like a great coach and a players' coach at that."

Although Alabama made the NCAA Tournament last season, the Tide shot 29 percent from beyond the arc, last in the SEC. Rathan-Mayes is the type of player who could come in and help immediately in that department.

"That's one of my abilities, to be able to shoot the ball," he said. "I feel like I would fit in quite well there with their style of play. I can also do a lot of other things like play point guard. I just feel like Alabama is definitely a good school, and they have a great system down there."

The UA coaching staff is open to letting the 6-foot-3 Rathan-Mayes run the point as well as play off the ball, and he's eager about the possibility because it will further develop his game for the next level.

"Coach (Grant]) said if I ever did come down there, they would want me at both the one and the two," Rathan-Mayes said. "That's important because at the next level, at college and then beyond, being able to be more versatile and play both positions only helps you."

This spring, Rathan-Mayes has been playing all over the country with his AAU team, CIA Bounce, and he has seen coaches from Alabama along with Florida State, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, LSU, North Carolina State and Seton Hall at his games.

This month, Rathan-Mayes will take his talents international when he plays with the 18-and-under Canada national team in Brazil.

"It's going to be great," Rathan-Mayes said. "To have that opportunity to play for your country and be able to wear the flag on your chest, representing them, it's something really special. We've got a great group of guys right now, and we're really looking to go to Brazil and go undefeated."

It doesn't slow down when he gets back to the States. He has been invited to both the Kevin Durant Skills Academy and the Lebron James Skills Academy at the end of the month, and he picks back up with his AAU team in July.

Sometime during his busy summer, Rathan-Mayes plans to narrow his list, but he hasn't decided if he wants to sign during the early signing period.

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