Hudson Mayes transferred to the University of New Mexico after a freshman season at UC San Diego where he averaged 11.1 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and was named honorable mention All-Big West Conference. The physical 6-foot-5 guard is expected to be an impact player for the retooled Lobos as they look to compete for a Mountain West title in head coach Eric Olen’s second season at the helm.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Mayes joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the path that led him to Albuquerque, his family’s athletic background, his expectations for the Lobos and what UNM fans can expect from him on the court.

Mayes is the son of Derrick Mayes, who was an All-American receiver at Notre Dame in the 1990s who won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers, and Gayle Brown-Mayes, an actress and model. Roger Brown, his grandfather, played in the ABA and was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Mayes talks about how being part of a sports family influenced his upbringing and about the decision he had to pursue basketball versus football.

Discussing his game on the court, Mayes says it took him a while to learn how to take advantage of his physicality and now he says attacking the basket is a major part of his offensive arsenal. In discussing his expectations for the team, he says the guard-laden squad will need to focus on rebounding but that the Lobos have all the talent to compete with anybody.

In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the UNM football team’s dominant win over in-state rival New Mexico State before getting into their prep football picks.