FC Bayern Basketball has added a new shooting guard to its roster: Xavier Rathan-Mayes joins the German champions after one season with Spanish titleholders Real Madrid. The 31-year-old Canadian signed a one-year deal with an option for a second season. Two years ago, Rathan-Mayes became the top scorer in the Eastern European VTB League (25.7 ppg), and during his rookie professional season in 2017, he played five NBA games for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 5.8 points per game.
Rathan-Mayes is currently preparing for the new season in Los Angeles, where he resides. He says: "Over the past one or two years, I’ve followed what’s been developing in Munich – and now I really want to be part of it. I’ve also been in close contact with Coach Herbert recently, so making the move to Bayern was a no-brainer for me. I didn’t have the easiest season, and now I want to prove that I’m a high-level player – one who contributes on both ends of the floor: a dynamic playmaking guard who can score and pass, but also defends hard."
"Proving I’m a high-level player"
The former Canadian national team player began his professional career after three years at Florida State University, where he averaged 12.4 points per game, earned recognition for his defensive prowess, and graduated with a degree in sociology. His pro journey started with the G League affiliate of the New York Knicks in Westchester, where he put up 16.8 points per game. After a brief NBA stint with the Memphis Grizzlies in March 2018, he made his first move to Europe, joining AEK Athens in Greece, followed by stops in Israel and Romania (18.3 ppg in spring 2021).
Several returns to the NBA G League followed (108 games, 15 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.2 rpg), along with two seasons in Australia (10.3 and 14.4 ppg), before a high-scoring campaign in the VTB United League with BC Enisey in Siberia – including a 42-point game.
Real Madrid signed him to a two-year deal, which was mutually terminated ahead of schedule. His debut EuroLeague season began promisingly – despite an opening loss in Munich to Bayern, he scored 12 points in each of his first two games. A turbulent campaign for the Spanish record champions ultimately ended with the ACB League title (12.5 minutes, 4.7 ppg), while Rathan-Mayes averaged 12 minutes and 5.3 points per game in EuroLeague play.
Once coached by Herbert on the national team
“Xavier brings a unique toughness on both ends of the court – a player type we didn’t have in last season’s roster,” says Bayern sporting director Dragan Tarlac. “His intensity is always at maximum. That energy lifts his teammates, and coaches really appreciate that. Bayern fans will enjoy watching a player who never gives up. We’re very happy we were able to bring Xavier to Munich.”
Rathan-Mayes made five appearances for the Canadian national team in 2017 and 2019 (10.1 ppg, 4.7 apg), under the guidance of current Bayern head coach Gordon Herbert, who was coaching Canada during the 2019 World Cup qualifiers. At the youth level, Rathan-Mayes won bronze with Canada at the 2012 U18 FIBA Americas Championship, averaging 14.8 points per game. “I know Gordie Herbert from our time in the Canadian national team program, and I’ve followed closely how he’s coached Dennis Schröder with the German national team and Carsen Edwards last season. I’m really looking forward to working with him and his staff in Munich.”
Rathan-Mayes is married and a father to a daughter. His stepfather, Tharon Mayes, was also a professional basketball player and spent a season in the mid-1990s with then-Bundesliga club Rhöndorf.
XAVIER RATHAN-MAYES (Born April 29, 1994 – Markham/CAN)
Shooting Guard / Point Guard – 1.93 m – 94 kg
2014 – 2017: Florida State University (NCAA)
2017 – 2018: Westchester Knicks (NBA G League), Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
2018: AEK Athens (Greece)
2019: Texas Legends (NBA G League), Bnei Herzliya Basket (Israel)
2019 – 2020: Hamilton Honey Badgers (Canada), Texas Legends, San Diego Clippers (NBA G League)
From 2/2021: BC CSU Sibiu (Romania)
2021 – 2022: Illawarra Hawks (Australia), Scarborough Shooting Stars (Canada, CEBL)
2022 – 2023: Melbourne United (Australia)
From 3/2023: Denizli Basket (Turkey)
2023 – 2024: BC Enisey (Russia)
2024 – 2025: Real Madrid (Spain)
Honors & Achievements
- Spanish Champion 2025
- Bronze Medal – 2012 FIBA U18 Americas Championship
- ACC All-Defensive Team 2017 (NCAA)
- ACC All-Freshman Team 2015 (NCAA)