XRM was a member of the U19 Canada squad that participated in this summers FIBA U19 World Championships.
XRM pictured here representing CFCA in 2010-11.
When Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) reached out to Huntington Prep Head Coach Rob Fulford he verified the situation is still under the microscope,
“NCAA did not accept a full year of credits he took at a previous school in NC. FSU is continuing to work with NCAA & school to get issue resolved.” Said Coach Fulford.
NCAA did not accept a full year of credits that Rathan-Mayes took at an N.C.-based high school in Creedmoor, which is 25 miles north of Raleigh. N.C and was operated by the infamous Canadian coach Ro Russell @ the time of his tenure.
Rathan-Mayes was a standout player for the Christian Faith Center Academy in Creedmoor as a sophomore in 2010-11. He played the next season at Huntington Prep, where he averaged 14.6 points while teaming with fellow Canadian and top-ranked recruit Andrew Wiggins.
Christian Faith Center Academy is currently under an extended evaluation period to determine if it meets the academic requirements for NCAA cleared status. According to the NCAA Eligibility Center’s High School Portal, a list of 12 Christian Faith Center Academy courses did not qualify as NCAA core courses and cannot be used for initial-eligibility certification.
Many media pundits across America have gone on record holding Ro Russell accountable for the Rathan-Mayes setback. Even despite facts that two Canadians who attended the same NC school in the same calendar year were cleared eligible by the NCAA prior to the 2012-13 college season. Both Kaza Keane of Illinois State and Joel Nondo of Wayne State.
XRM & Wiggins during a homecoming trip while members of the Huntington Prep Squad in WV.
Many media pundits also now worry Andrew Wiggins could too be declared not eligible as the young Canadian approaches his freshman season @ Kansas University. Another Christian Faith Academy alumni MyKyle McIntosh who recently committed to Illinois State is also reportedly battling eligibility issues at the moment.
Despite the world wide web speculating, the mother of Xavier says that with the parties involved both X and his old coach Ro have no bad blood between them,
“My son will remain humble. Ro doesn’t wish X any bad.. X is the most humble kid around… No beef with anyone period” later her son the victim of this recent NCAA power trip tweeted,
“Challenges are what makes life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
When reached via email, the Canadian coach Ro Russell reiterated what he tweeted Wednesday night,
“Kaza Keane and other students qualified from CFC and are playing In the NCAA. We have over 200 D1 Alumni. I only wish the best for XRM.”
Both sides of the border were in shock when news broke.
Everyone was quick to point the finger at Coach Russell. Similar to the summer evening when Myck Kabongo tweeted “working out with Tristan”. NCAA dwells on press releases such as twitter updates of that sort. Kabongo’s tweet was his demise and the beginning of Myck falling off track of a possible first round NBA draft pick in 2013.
American media outlets taking twitter jabs at Canadian coach Ro Russell.
Similar to Kabongo, XRM shot himself in the foot when he took his story to media giant CBC and undisclosed details of the infamous year he spent in North Carolina on a national documentary that went viral over the web.
“Was there a built-in study schedule?” CBC host McKeown asked Rathan-Mayes.
“No,” Rathan-Mayes responded.
“Did anyone check on whether you were doing your homework or not?” McKeown asked.
“No,” Rathan-Mayes answered.
“They were pretty much on their own,” Rathan-Mayes’ mother said.
“We were basically on our own,” Rathan-Mayes added. “Yes, basketball was everything. That’s all we did. School was there, but it was basically basketball, nothing else.”
This all fresh on the heels of rapid speculation Ro Russell the Grassroots founder received funds for funneling players such as Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph and Myck Kabongo to the Texas Long Horns. Allegations that were never found true.
NCAA since to no ones surprise has been out to haunt Russell’s former pupils. Who ever facilitated that Fifth Estate documentary and provided CBC contacts to those individuals featured on the documentary should be held responsible too.
XRM headlined a star studded CIA Bounce class of 2014 squad.
Considering the rumored rocky relationship Ro Russell and NCAA officials have also the fact that a fellow Canadian AAU program co-founder (program responsible for developing Andrew Wiggins) has recently turned NBA agent, let’s hope this is not scratching the surface of future Canadian scholar setbacks. Now more then ever Canadian talent is being monitored harder both in the class room, on social media and in the public light.
Studies show 95% of NCAA eligibility issues effect young African Americans. Another problem is how this organized crime group called the NCAA can’t graspreality that a African American or Canadian kid can easily raise his 2.0 GPA to a 2.5 or above. Shame on the NCAA until they quit power tripping and holding grudges on Canadians especially.
XRM serves as a role model to his younger brothers. Both aspiring basketball players also.
For more on the Xavier Rathan-Mayes “Partial Initial Eligibility Waiver” and how it works check out the Athletic Scholarship website breakdown.
Lets see how this plays out.