Huntington’s Wiggins, Rathan-Mayes shine in Mountaineer Shootout

For the third year in a row, some of the nation's best high school basketball players made their way to Morgantown to take part in the Mountaineer Showcase.

The tournament, which featured the likes of Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Christ the King (N.Y.) last year, was headlined by two national powerhouses in Huntington Prep (W.Va.) and the Tilton School (N.H.).

Both teams were loaded with players who will be playing major Division I-A basketball in the next few years, and probably even the NBA, but none were quite as intriguing to watch as Huntington Prep forward Andrew Wiggins.

The sophomore from Toronto is the No. 1 player in the 2014 class according to ESPNU's Terrific 25, and his game has drawn comparisons to LeBron James and Scottie Pippen.

Although he hasn't started to make a list of the schools he could possibly attend, Wiggins said he is being recruited by West Virginia. He was with a few of his Huntington teammates at WVU's win over Georgetown and has seen the new basketball practice facility.

"They have a lot of talent, and the facility was one of the best facilities I've seen. They put a lot of work into it," Wiggins said. "It was amazing. There was history there, like the old shot clock. It was a great look."

Another school looked at as a favorite when he makes a decision is Florida State. Both of his parents played there, and he thinks they could definitely be a possibility when it comes time for him to make a choice.

"They'll always be one of the schools recruiting me because of the history of my parents," Wiggins said.

"It wouldn't be bad to follow in their footsteps, but if you're a good player, you can go far anywhere you go."

As far as West Virginia goes, Wiggins said he's familiar with the reputation of head coach Bob Huggins and was asked if he had thought about playing for him.

"I've thought about it," he said. "He's one of the greatest coaches ever."

Rathan-Mayes shines for Huntington Prep

While Wiggins and West Virginia signee Elijah Macon received most of the attention heading into this week's tournament, it was one of Huntington's talented guards who may have turned the most heads.

Junior Xavier Rathan-Mayes used impressive all-around performances on both sides of the court to help lead Huntington Prep to victories against Bishop Kearney (N.Y.) and Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Ohio).

"I came out strong early in the game and knocked down a couple of shots," Rathan-Mayes said. "I was feeling it today, and I've got great teammates around me and when I'm hitting shots like that, they get the ball to me early."

While some players may find it a little nerve-wracking to see coaches watching them in the stands, Rathan-Mayes thrives in it. He's wanted to be in a situation like this his whole life.

"It's been my dream since I was little to be able to play in front of college coaches," he said. "When I see them in the stands, I embrace it, and just play the game that I always play."

Rathan-Mayes said his biggest strength is his versatility on offense but admitted he needs to get more explosive in getting to the rim off the dribble before he gets to the next level.

But, that shouldn't be hard to do, as he gets to play against some of the best competition in the country every day in practice and in games.

"It's a blessing to have so many great guys around you," Rathan-Mayes said. "I don't have pressure on myself to have a big game every night, and I know that I can have 10 points and we'll still have a good win.

"It makes you better knowing that you're going against high-major guys every day."