Illawarra announced on Monday that the Canadian talent will join the club for the 2021/22 season. He is their third and final import, replacing Travis Trice, who parted ways with the Hawks last month due to his COVID vaccine stance.

Coach Goorjian promised to use Trice's departure to their advantage, and Rathan-Mayes arrives with a big reputation. The 27-year-old's resume includes stints with the Lakers and Grizzlies, while he also represented NBA G-League sides Agua Caliente, Texas Legends and Westchester Knicks.

He recently played for Romanian club BC CSU Sibiu and has represented Canada's youth side at the international level.

"We needed another primary ball-handler to complement the guys we already have and Xavier fits the bill," Goorjian said.

"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."

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Rathan-Mayes is expected to complement the Illawarra's other imports, Tyler Harvey and Antonius Cleveland. The signing also rounds out the roster, alongside Boomers star Duop Reath, Sam and Harry Froling, Emmett Naar, Akoldah Gak, Isaac White, AJ Ogilvy and Lachlan Dent.

Rathan-Mayes also has the approval of Los Angeles assistant coach Phil Handy, who said he had "enormous potential" and was a "fantastic pick up" for the Hawks.

"Xavier is an NBA talent. He spent two weeks working in our facility and was professional at the highest level," he said.

"He was 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."

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