
Spurs' Wembanyama captures first career DPOY
Victor Wembanyama captures his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award!

Hudson Mayes, a 6-foot-5 freshman from UC San Diego, has signed to play for the UNM Lobos next season. He is the son of a Super Bowl champion and has a Hall of Fame grandfather.
Mentioned in this story
Lobo hoops transfer portal tracker
The Journal is keeping tabs on all offseason roster moves for the Lobo menās basketball team ā who is leaving, who is returning, who hasnāt decided ā on its Transfer Portal Tracker (CLICK HERE).
Hudson Mayes, a 6-foot-5 freshman at UC San Diego, signed last week to play for the UNM Lobos next season.
The talented guard first began being recruited by Lobos coach Eric Olen two years ago, when Olen and much of his current UNM coaching staff were at UCSD.
Mayes has elite athletic DNA as his father, Derrick, was an All-America wide receiver at Notre Dame and a Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers. His maternal grandfather is Roger Brown, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and former Indiana Pacers teammate of Mel Daniels, a Lobo legend and fellow Naismith Hall of Famer.
Mayes, who averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds on the season, started 11 of UCSDās final 12 games.
The Journal reached out to Mayes recently to ask a few introductory questions. The following are his answers via a text message exchange.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: What is it about Eric Olenās system that made you want to play for the UNM Lobos?
MAYES: Coach Olenās system has a good amount of structure but isnāt restricting offensively or defensively. He likes to play fast in transition where I thrive most and overall itās a defensive-minded system, which I am used to from high school until now.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: What are Lobo fans about to see when you play in the Pit? How would you describe yourself as a player?
MAYES: They should expect a lot of exciting plays on both ends of the floor, aggressive defense, dunks, a lot of made jump shots and playmaking. I would describe myself as a really versatile two-way player. I feel like I can do everything, but mainly get to my spots on offense and lockdown on D.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: You come from a family of high-level athletes. Starting with dad, did you ever play football like he did?
MAYES: I played flag football up until about eighth grade. My parents didnāt want me playing tackle until high school, (but) I was already set on basketball being my thing by that time.
When anyone asks how good I would be, I tell them I would be the number one wide receiver in the country if I still played.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: Would your dad have ever let you be a Chicago Bears fan growing up?
MAYES: No, he would not, LOL.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: Your grandfather is Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Roger Brown. How much do you know about his game and what similarities are there on the court?
MAYES: From what I have seen and the countless stories from his teammates and people who watched him during that time, I know he was an elite scorer and rarely dunked the ball. Besides the rarely dunking part, I would say we have a lot of similarities, mainly the mid-range which is a staple of my game and I was taught a lot growing up because of him.
Hudson Mayes is a 6-foot-5 freshman guard transferring from UC San Diego to the UNM Lobos.
Hudson Mayes comes from a strong athletic lineage; his father is a Super Bowl champion and his grandfather is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer.
Hudson Mayes was recruited by Lobos coach Eric Olen, who had previously been at UC San Diego.
Hudson Mayes plays as a guard for the UNM Lobos men's basketball team.

Victor Wembanyama captures his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award!

2026 NBA Draft Order: Where All 60 Picks Stand Ahead of Lottery

Fred Warner is back at full strength for the 49ers' offseason training program after recovering from an ankle injury.
Victor Wembanyama becomes youngest NBA Defensive Player of the Year!
Ausar Thompson of the Pistons finishes third in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting
Steelers GM offers unclear update on Aaron Rodgers as draft nears
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: Do you know much about Lobo legend Mel Daniels, a teammate and close friend of your grandfather, Roger Brown? Did you have any idea he went to UNM before this recruitment?
MAYES: I knew āUncle Melā really well. Anytime I was in Indiana as a kid, I would be with him, picking his brain about everything when he was playing and around my grandpa.
To be honest, my dad had to remind me (that Daniels) went to UNM when we got there on the recruiting visit. Itās a full circle moment, for sure.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: What did you know about Albuquerque or the UNM Lobos before this recruiting process?
MAYES: Iāve only been to Albuquerque once in my life, so I donāt have a lot of familiarity with it. However, I've been watching the Lobos for a couple years now since they made the tournament in 2024 and obviously once Coach Olen got there. Didnāt know much but have heard about the fanbase and how electric their games are.
⢠⢠ā¢
JOURNAL: How is it that a freshman in college lists āMajor Payne,ā made in 1995, as his favorite movie?
MAYES: It was one of the first movies that my dad showed me when I was way too young, LOL. I just remember it gave me one of the best laughs and because of that it will always be my favorite movie. I havenāt watched it in a while but I probably need two hands to count how many times Iāve seen it.
Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.
Get to know the new Lobo: Benjamin 'Beni' Schuch
The Austrian 'point forward' on why Olen, why UNM, why it's 'Beni' and what fans should expect