Maya Brady, Tom Brady’s Niece, Drafted First in AUSL Expansion
Maya Brady, a standout athlete and niece of NFL legend Tom Brady, has made headlines by being selected first overall in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) expansion draft. The announcement came on a Monday, marking a significant milestone for the Oklahoma City Spark, one of the two new teams entering the league in the 2026 season.
Maya Brady’s Softball Legacy
Brady, who will be playing as a shortstop, joins the Spark as they prepare to begin league play. The AUSL will now expand to six teams, including returning teams such as the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts.
Impressive Career at UCLA
During her collegiate career at UCLA, Maya Brady showcased her exceptional skills, earning multiple accolades:
- Pac-12 Player of the Year (2023, 2024)
- USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Finalist (2023, 2024)
- Three-time NFCA First Team All-American (2021, 2023, 2024)
- Four-time All-Pac-12 honoree
- 2020 Softball America Freshman of the Year
- Pac-12 batting title winner (2023) with a .456 average
Family Athletic Tradition
Maya’s athletic talent is deeply rooted in her family. Her mother, Maureen, achieved remarkable success as a high school softball pitcher, recording 29 no-hitters and 14 perfect games. Additionally, her aunt Julie played soccer at St. Mary’s College and is married to Kevin Youkilis, a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox.
Performance in the Inaugural Season
Maya Brady began her professional career with the Talons during the AUSL’s inaugural season in 2025. She demonstrated her potential by achieving a .500 batting average. In just eight games, she tallied 11 hits in 22 at-bats, including a home run and five runs batted in (RBI).
As she joins the Oklahoma City Spark, expectations are high for Maya Brady, who continues to cement her legacy as one of the most dominant athletes in her family. The upcoming 2026 season will be an exciting opportunity for her to demonstrate her skills on a larger stage.
