Florida A&M Rattler Cagers Ink Standout JUCO Point Guard and More...

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball program announced the signing this week of junior college backcourt phenom Elijah Mays to a National Letter of Intent to join the team for the 2015-16 season.

Mays, a 6’0” point guard, is a native of Orlando, Florida, where he played on the prep level for University High School, where he averaged 11.0 points and 6.0 assists per game.

Recruited by Pepperdine, Tennessee State and Abilene Christian as well as FAMU, Mays played on the junior college level at Palm Beach (Fla.) State College (2013-14) and McLennan (Tex.) Community College (2014-15).

At Palm Beach State, Mays averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds, shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range, and 75.8 percent from the foul line, while at McLennan CC, he averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds.

FAMU head coach Byron Samuels said of Mays: 

“We are so excited to announce the signing of Elijah Mays. His skills as a point guard will be very important as we continue to work to build the FAMU Basketball Program.

“Elijah is a natural leader, his ball handling and passing skills are exactly what our team needs. He can make the open three-point shot, but what sets him apart is his ability to make the mid-range jump shot.

“We need him to be a hawk defensively, be a good decision maker and command the team. We believe he can do all of those things, and are fired up that he’s a Rattler!,” Samuels concluded.



Coach Samuels also announced the signing of Justin Ravenel and Nicholas Serverado to the Rattlers men's basketball team.

Ravenel is a 6’3”- 175 lb. point guard from Decatur, Georgia.  He was ranked a three-star guard by ESPN. Ravenel’s strengths are both ball handling and defense, while having a solid scoring set. The southpaw has a good vertical, resulting in some thunderous dunks. Additionally he is committed to defense as well, a staple in Samuels’ philosophy. Ravenel is well equipped to drive from the dribble or shoot from deep.

Samuels on Ravenel

“Justin is a terrific basketball player but an even better student and young man. Justin is an excellent shooter and playmaker. His ability to play both guard spots gives our team versatility. He’s the type of teammate every player wants to play with. He exhibits a maturity and poise beyond his youth. Justin is a winner as a student athlete having won two Georgia State HS championships, more importantly he is a winner as a person. He represents all that is good in college athletics, we are so proud to have him join the FAMU Basketball program and family."

Severado is a 6’8” – 185 lb. forward from Savannah, Georgia . He has the physical abilities to be effective in the MEAC. He amassed 80 blocks and 134 rebounds in his senior season playing for Jenkins High School. His shot blocking ability should help the Rattler front line bolster its defensive presence.



Samuels on Severado

“Nick is an amazing sign for our basketball program. At 6’8” he can play multiple positions, point guard being among them. He is long, athletic, adept at using both his left and right hands, and is one of the best passers I’ve seen in a long time. He has the ability to make shots and plays above the rim that you can’t coach. Defensively, Nick can defend three to four positions, and his shot blocking ability is uncanny. Nick is the consummate team first guy, sacrificing his own stats this season to help lead his team to the state championship. We are proud that Nick and his family have signed with FAMU, we are humbled by his commitment. "

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION