In a landmark moment for women's professional softball, Maya Brady, the highly-touted niece of American football icon Tom Brady, has been chosen as the number one overall pick. The Oklahoma City Spark secured the 24-year-old shortstop's talents in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Expansion Draft, setting the stage for her to become a franchise cornerstone.
From UCLA Stardom to Professional Promise
Maya Brady's selection is built upon a foundation of sheer dominance during her collegiate years at UCLA. Her list of achievements is nothing short of extraordinary. She was crowned the Pac-12 Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, also securing the Pac-12 batting title in 2023 with a staggering .456 average. Brady was a two-time finalist for the prestigious USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.
Her consistent excellence earned her NFCA First Team All-American honors three times, and she was named an All-Pac-12 honoree on four occasions. Starting strong, she was recognized as the Softball America Freshman of the Year in 2020. This blend of offensive power and defensive versatility made her the undeniable top choice for the Spark as they build their roster for the 2026 season, which begins in June.
A Seamless Transition to the Pro Ranks
Brady is not entirely new to the AUSL, having made a strong debut last season with the Talons. Despite missing the first month due to a hamstring injury, she made an immediate impact. In 22 at-bats, she posted an impressive .500 batting average, which included a home run and five runs batted in (RBI). This brief showcase proved her ability to translate her college success to the professional level and be an impactful player from day one.
The Spark's strategy was clear: secure a franchise-defining talent with the first pick. Following their selection of Brady, the new franchise Cascade chose pitcher Sam Landry with the second pick. Oklahoma City then focused on building a balanced team through the AUSL Allocation Draft, adding key players like catcher Kinzie Hansen and infielders Sydney McKinney and Sydney Romero.
A Legacy of Athletic Excellence
Athletic prowess runs deep in the Brady family, though Maya is carving her own path. Her mother, Maureen, was a softball phenom in high school, recording 29 no-hitters and 14 perfect games. Another aunt, Julie, played college soccer and is married to former Boston Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis.
Of course, her uncle, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, has been a vocal supporter. He has famously called Maya "the most dominant athlete in the Brady family … by far"—high praise from one of sports' greatest winners. Maya has often cited her family as a profound source of inspiration and motivation.
This draft marks a significant expansion for the AUSL, which grows to six teams with the addition of the Oklahoma City Spark and the Cascade. The league's 2026 season promises heightened competition with the influx of top-tier talent like Maya Brady, who is poised to become the new face of professional softball.
