Who is Maya Brady?
Maya Brady (full name Maya Ann Brady-Timmons) is a rising American softball star. Born on June 1, 2001 in San Mateo, California, she played college softball for UCLA Bruins before turning professional, and currently plays utility position for the Talons in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
Maya has earned widespread recognition: she is a three-time First-Team All-American, two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year (2023, 2024), and has been among the top batters in UCLA history.
Family & Parents
-
Her mother is Maureen Brady, and her father is Brian Timmons.
-
Her mother Maureen was herself an accomplished athlete — a former All-American softball pitcher at Fresno State, who played at a high level, including in junior Olympic softball.
-
Her parents divorced when Maya was around nine years old, and Maureen raised Maya (and her younger sister) as a single mother.
-
Maya credits her mother with instilling in her a love of softball and a strong work ethic.
-
She also has a younger sister (named Hannah) who plays volleyball.
Beyond her parents, Maya comes from an athletic family: she is the niece of retired NFL star Tom Brady, and is related (through family) to former MLB star Kevin Youkilis.
Ethnicity / Racial Background
Maya Brady has a mixed racial background: her father Brian Timmons is described as Black, and her mother Maureen Brady is White.
Her mixed heritage does not define or limit her career — she identifies as American and has focused on carving her own path in softball, rather than dwelling on background.
Softball Journey & Career Highlights
-
Maya began her softball career playing at Oaks Christian School in California, where she stood out as a middle infielder. During her senior year, she posted a .558 batting average with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs. She was named the league MVP, among other honors.
-
She was ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the nation by recruitment services such as FloSoftball and Softball America.
-
At UCLA, she quickly made a name for herself. As a freshman in 2020, she was named Softball America Freshman of the Year.
-
Over her collegiate career, she amassed outstanding stats including home runs, RBIs, hits, and batting average — establishing herself among UCLA’s all-time greats.
-
In 2023 and 2024, she won Pac-12 Player of the Year honors, cementing her status as one of the top softball players in college softball.
-
After college, she transitioned to professional softball and plays for the Talons in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
On “Is Maya Black?” — Understanding Context & Identity
Because her father is Black and mother is White, Maya has mixed-race heritage. Many sources describe her as having a “diverse racial background.”
In sports and media coverage, what tends to be emphasized more than her ethnicity is her talent, hard work, and family’s athletic legacy. Her mother’s influence, her uncle Tom Brady’s athletic renown, and her own merits combine to shape her identity as a rising softball star — rather than race or ethnicity being the focal point.
What We Know & What Remains Private
Known:
-
Her full name, date of birth, birthplace, parents’ names, athletic family background.
-
Her mother’s athletic history and her father’s background.
-
Her softball journey: high school, college, and professional career, along with awards and achievements.
-
Her mixed racial background (Black father, White mother) and American nationality.
Private/Not Publicly Confirmed:
-
There’s limited public discussion about how Maya self-identifies in terms of race — media emphasis is on her performance rather than racial identity.
-
Her personal life beyond family (e.g. relationships, deeply personal background) is generally kept private in mainstream coverage (beyond what is publicly shared).
Why Maya Brady’s Story Matters
Maya’s journey reflects more than athletic success — it shows how identity, family legacy, and personal dedication intersect. As a mixed-heritage athlete excelling on the big stage, she represents diversity in American sports. At the same time, she’s forging her own legacy — not just as “Tom Brady’s niece” — but as a formidable softball phenom in her own right.
Her story can inspire many young athletes (especially women and mixed-heritage individuals) to embrace their backgrounds and pursue excellence on their own merits.
Leave a Reply