Get to know the new Lobo: A few questions with transfer guard Hudson Mayes

Lobo hoops transfer portal tracker

The Journal is keeping tabs on all offseason roster moves for the Lobo men’s basketball team — who is leaving, who is returning, who hasn’t decided — 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 UCSD’s 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.

• • •

JOURNAL: What is it about Eric Olen’s system that made you want to play for the UNM Lobos?

MAYES: Coach Olen’s system has a good amount of structure but isn’t restricting offensively or defensively. He likes to play fast in transition where I thrive most and overall it’s a defensive-minded system, which I am used to from high school until now.

• • •

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.

• • •

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 didn’t 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.

• • •

JOURNAL: Would your dad have ever let you be a Chicago Bears fan growing up?

MAYES: No, he would not, LOL.

• • •

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.