Mayfield just needed a chance

Bralyn Mayfield has waited for his opportunity and isn’t about to waste the one he’s got.

Mayfield, a former Lincoln Prep standout, will play college basketball this winter at Gadsden State Community College — a junior college in Gadsden, Alabama — after grinding to find an opportunity at the next level.

The Cardinals compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Mayfield said the opportunity started to develop in the weeks after the Panthers’ loss to Northwood-Lena in the Division IV Select state championship game, as he went to Grambling State men’s basketball looking for a chance to walk on.

Coaches liked his game but didn’t have a spot for him. But they did promise they’d make calls. They kept their promise.

“That’s when Coach Deddric Tarver contacted me and said he liked my film and thought I could come in with the team and help them with my hard work and size,” Mayfield said. “So, he gave me a full scholarship, and the rest is history.”

Tarver has coached at Gadsden for nine seasons and has a history of getting players past the JUCO level.

In May, Gadsden State sent six players to fouryear colleges, including Kintavious Dozier who joined Grambling State’s roster. Dozier led the entire NJCAA in scoring at 27.8 points per game.

Mayfield hopes to fit in and pick up where he left off after a standout senior season for Lincoln Prep. In his final season at Prep, Mayfield was named a Class 1A All-State selection and District 2-1A MVP after averaging 19.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, capped off with a season-high 32 points in the state championship.

The Panthers finished the season 24-5 overall and won an undefeated district title in the process, with Mayfield averaging over 18 points per game in district action.

He finished with a double-double in 15 of the 23 regular season games he played.

Now, he hopes to make the most of his college opportunity and show his talents to make his way to the Division I ranks.

“My mentality is to just be coachable,” Mayfield said. “Be a student first and then athlete by staying on top of my work and just staying in the weight room and gym and getting as much experience as I can so I can transfer and go DI. Also, when JUCO gets tough I don’t want to give up and gotta keep my head high in the trenches and keep faith in myself and just work.”

Lincoln Prep head coach Antonio Hudson, who coached Mayfield throughout high school, said it’s a great feeling to see a player make it to the next level and continue playing the game they love.

“It’s a great feeling to see something like that, but to me it’s more about the kid and him being able to pursue his dreams,” Hudson said. “ He was a two- sport athlete and so for him to be able to chase his dreams in one of his sports is amazing for him. And plus, he’ll be on scholarship, so his school is paid for.”

Hudson doesn’t have any connections with Gadsden State but wasn’t surprised to hear Grambling reach out to the school and put in a good word for Mayfield after showing interest throughout the recruiting process. Recruiting is based on word of mouth, and Hudson was glad to see the programs knew Mayfield was worth a roster spot.

“Talent is so spread out with the portal right now that you’ve got high major kids playing at JUCO and high school kids as well so it’s a good level for him to be at because that’s where a lot of talent is at these days,” Hudson said.

Hudson expects Mayfield will now be able to play on the perimeter more than he could at Prep, with the coaching staff needing Mayfield’s rim- attacking and rebounding to carry the load.

“We’ve put multiple kids in college before and Bralyn was just looking up to kids before him and saw kids playing college,” Hudson said. “He’s been around and he’s seen what can happen if you work hard here. I say that through everything with the school change, COVID and a lack of facilities, he’s actually a gem. In the right situation he’s going to be able to really showcase his talents.”