Drake Maye high school basketball career: Why Patriots QB spurned the hardwood for football gridiron

Drake Maye high school basketball career: Why Patriots QB spurned the hardwood for football gridiron originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Luke isn’t the only elite basketball player in the Maye family.

His youngest brother, Drake, long before he was the franchise quarterback of the New England Patriots, was a basketball star in his own right. Maye wasn’t just “good for a football player”; he was one of the premier high school basketball talents in the state. Playing for Myers Park High School, he earned All-State honors and was a consistent double-double machine.

The youngest Maye brother actually held several Division I basketball offers before his football recruitment reached a fever pitch. While Luke was more of a traditional stretch-four, Drake played with the fluid athleticism of a modern wing, showcasing a smooth perimeter jumper and the same competitive fire that defined Luke’s legendary run at UNC.

But, in the end, Drake chose football, committing to the same school where his oldest brother is a college basketball legend. Here’s more on his high school basketball career.

MORE: Drake Maye’s family tree

Did Drake Maye play basketball?

Maye was a legitimate high school basketball star before committing fully to football. Playing for Myers Park in Charlotte, he wasn’t just a role player; he was an All-State selection who averaged a double-double with roughly 16 points and 11 rebounds per game.

straight buckets 🔥

(via @hudl, phenomhoopreport/YT) pic.twitter.com/MOOw5pJbJP

— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2026

His talent was significant enough that he received several Division I basketball offers. Many scouts believed he had the frame and shooting touch to play high-major college hoops, but his elite potential as a quarterback eventually took priority.

Drake Maye’s focus was always football.

But then he’d show up in basketball season and dominate on the hard wood.

Here are the stories from Drake Maye’s basketball career: https://t.co/ipitQg2ThMpic.twitter.com/Aj56UrsvwA

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) January 14, 2026

Athleticism runs deep in the Maye family, and Drake often credits the physical, competitive basketball games against his brothers for developing the toughness he now shows on the NFL gridiron.

MORE: The last time the Patriots won the Super Bowl

Where did Drake Maye go to high school?

Maye went to Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, after transferring from Hough High School.

During his time at Myers Park, Maye cemented his legacy as one of the greatest multi-sport athletes in North Carolina history. While his transfer brought plenty of attention, his performance on the field and the court silenced any doubters, eventually earning him the title of MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year for the state.

In football, he shattered school records and led the Mustangs to deep playoff runs, while in basketball, he became a pillar of a top-tier program. The school eventually honored his massive contribution to their athletic history by retiring his jersey number, ensuring that the Maye name remains a permanent fixture in the Myers Park rafters.

MORE: Inside Mike Vrabel’s playoff record 

Drake Maye basketball brothers

Two of Maye’s brother’s played at the University of North Carolina, and one will always have a place in college basketball history.

Luke Maye

Maye’s career at North Carolina is one of the most dramatic walk-on to legend trajectories in program history. After joining the team without a guaranteed scholarship, he gradually worked his way into the rotation, eventually becoming a pillar of the 2017 National Championship squad.

The defining moment of his career occurred during the 2017 Elite Eight against Kentucky. With only 0.3 seconds remaining, Maye hit a game-winning jump shot that sent the Tar Heels to the Final Four. That performance earned him the South Regional Most Outstanding Player award and cemented his status as a permanent part of Carolina basketball lore.

How about hitting this shot to send your team to the Final Four and being the second most accomplished athlete in your family

New England Patriots QB, Drake Maye, has an older brother that hit one of the biggest shots in UNC History

pic.twitter.com/SkaXoFH5gy

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) December 15, 2025

Maye took on a bigger role the next two seasons, transitioning to a legitimate superstar. During his junior season (2017–18), he averaged a double-double with 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, earning First-team All-ACC honors and the ACC’s Most Improved Player award. He was also recognized as a Third-team All-American.

By the time he graduated in 2019, Maye had amassed over 1,300 points and nearly 1,000 rebounds, ranking 11th in school history for total boards. Beyond his on-court success, he was a standout student, twice earning Academic All-American honors and winning the Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes excellence in community, character, and the classroom.

MORE: What to know about Drake Maye’s brothers

Beau Maye

While Beau does not have the legendary status in Tar Heel basketball like his older brother, he is another chapter in the family’s athletic legacy. Beau joined the program as a walk-on forward for the 2022–23 season, becoming the third Maye brother to suit up as a Tar Heel athlete.

His journey to the Smith Center was marked by significant physical challenges. Beau overcame nine knee surgeries throughout his career, including injuries that derailed his recruitment in high school and a later attempt to play at the Division III level. Despite these setbacks, he worked his way back into elite physical shape to earn a spot on the roster under head coach Hubert Davis.

While his on-court appearances were limited—playing in two games during the 2022–23 season—his impact remained with the program after he hung up his jersey. He served as a graduate assistant for the Tar Heels during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons while completing his master’s degree.

Beau has since transitioned into coaching, returning to his alma mater, Hough High School, to serve as a math teacher and the head coach of the boys’ varsity basketball team.

MORE: Explaining the Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye meme

How tall is Drake Maye?

The Patriots quarterback is officially listed at 6-foot-4.

Although Maye is among the top-10 tallest quarterbacks in the NFL, he is the youngest amongst his siblings.

MORE: Revisiting Mike Vrabel’s Patriots career