UCLA softball shortstop Maya Brady has officially committed to joining the newly established Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), as reported by ESPN. This announcement comes just ahead of the league’s inaugural draft, where the addition of a player of Brady’s caliber is anticipated to significantly enhance the league’s profile.
At just 23 years old, Brady is already making headlines not only for her athletic prowess but also as the niece of seven-time Super Bowl champion and current FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady. Her affiliation with such a prominent sports family adds an intriguing layer to her burgeoning career.
The left-handed hitter has made a name for herself at UCLA, where she has excelled both as a shortstop and outfielder. Brady has earned first-team All-American honors twice and was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year. Additionally, she received the Softball America Freshman of the Year award in 2020, further establishing her as one of the top talents in collegiate softball.
UCLA has long been recognized as a powerhouse in women’s softball, and Brady’s impressive statistics underscore her contributions to the team. She ranks second on the school’s all-time home run list, having hit 71 home runs and driven in 246 RBIs over the course of 249 games played at UCLA.
The AUSL, spearheaded by former Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng, is poised to become a major force in women’s professional sports. Ng, who was appointed as a senior advisor last year, has described the league as “Major League Baseball for softball.” The inaugural season will feature four teams—Bandits, Blaze, Volts, and Talons—competing in 30 games across six to eight cities.
“Softball is poised for tremendous growth at the professional level, and the AUSL is meeting the moment by creating the action-packed, world-class softball league that this sport has deserved for so long,” Ng stated. She emphasized that the caliber of players expected to be drafted, including Olympians, Team USA veterans, All-Americans, and NCAA champions, reflects the league’s commitment to showcasing the best talent in women’s sports.
As the AUSL prepares for its debut, the excitement surrounding Maya Brady’s participation is palpable, marking a new chapter in her career and the evolution of professional softball.
For more updates on college sports, visit Fox News Sports.