Clyde Mayes
Encyclopedia
Clyde Clauthen Mayes, Jr. (born March 17, 1953) is a retired American
professional basketball player. He played in both the National Basketball Association
(NBA) and in Europe for various teams. His international career took him to Italy
, France
and Spain
over the course of 12 years. At tall and weighing 225 pounds, Mayes primarily played the power forward
position.
, South Carolina
and played basketball at Wade Hampton High School in his hometown. In the fall of 1971, Mayes enrolled at Furman University
, also located in Greenville. National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) rules at the time prohibited college freshmen from competing on their schools' varsity sports teams, so Mayes had to play for the Furman freshman basketball team. When he became eligible during his sophomore
season in 1972–73, Mayes ended up playing in 29 games while averaging 15.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. The Paladins finished as the Southern Conference
regular season runners-up (to Davidson
) but won the Southern Conference Tournament championship. They qualified for the 1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
but lost to Syracuse
in the first round, 83–82.
The following season, Mayes was the star on a team that finished 22–9, including 11–1 in conference play, en route to conference regular season and tournament championships. He averaged 17.3 points and 13.0 rebounds on the year, and Furman would once again qualify for the NCAA Tournament
. They finished in fourth place in the East Region, losing to Providence
, 95–83, to end their season. After the season, Mayes was honored as the Southern Conference Player of the Year
.
As a senior
in 1974–75, Mayes led the Paladins to second and third consecutive conference regular season and tournament championships, respectively, as well as a third straight NCAA Tournament
berth (they lost in the second round to Boston College
). Furman compiled a 22–7 overall record, including a perfect 12–0 conference record. In the 2009 book, ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game, the 1974–75 team was named the best in the program's history. It was led by Mayes, who repeated at the Southern Conference Player of the Year and also honored as a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press
. He averaged 21.1 points and 13.5 rebounds for the year, but he also had a stellar supporting cast. Fessor "Moose" Leonard was a center
who averaged 15.5 points per game, and Craig Lynch provided a strong defensive presence.
The personal accolades for Mayes kept coming, as he was named the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year, which is an award given to an athlete in the conference irrespective of sport or season. In 2010, The Charlotte Observer
listed Mayes as one of the five best men's basketball players in the Southern Conference during the 1970s.
selected him as the 22nd overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft
. He played in 65 games for the Bucks as a rookie
in . Just prior to the start of the season he was waived. For the remainder of the season, Mayes was temporarily signed and released by three different teams—the Indiana Pacers
, Buffalo Braves
and Portland Trail Blazers
—and appeared in no more than five games for any of them. He decided that he would have greater success overseas, and so starting in the 1977–78 basketball season Mayes found himself playing in Italy
.
Over the course of the next 12 seasons, Mayes played for teams in Italy, France
and Spain
. In 1983–84 he was named an All-Star in Legadue Basket while playing for Alpe Bergamo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. He played in both the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) and in Europe for various teams. His international career took him to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
over the course of 12 years. At tall and weighing 225 pounds, Mayes primarily played the power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
position.
College
Mayes grew up in GreenvilleGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and played basketball at Wade Hampton High School in his hometown. In the fall of 1971, Mayes enrolled at Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
, also located in Greenville. National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) rules at the time prohibited college freshmen from competing on their schools' varsity sports teams, so Mayes had to play for the Furman freshman basketball team. When he became eligible during his sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
season in 1972–73, Mayes ended up playing in 29 games while averaging 15.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. The Paladins finished as the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
regular season runners-up (to Davidson
Davidson Wildcats men's basketball
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the Southern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008. The...
) but won the Southern Conference Tournament championship. They qualified for the 1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA University Division college basketball. It began on March 10, 1973, and ended with the championship game on March 26 in St. Louis, Missouri...
but lost to Syracuse
Syracuse Orange men's basketball
The Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
in the first round, 83–82.
The following season, Mayes was the star on a team that finished 22–9, including 11–1 in conference play, en route to conference regular season and tournament championships. He averaged 17.3 points and 13.0 rebounds on the year, and Furman would once again qualify for the NCAA Tournament
1974 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1974 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It was the first tournament to officially be designated as a Division I championship—previously, NCAA member...
. They finished in fourth place in the East Region, losing to Providence
Providence Friars men's basketball
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, in which they are a founding member of the Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island...
, 95–83, to end their season. After the season, Mayes was honored as the Southern Conference Player of the Year
Southern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Southern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a basketball award given to the Southern Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1951–52 season. Fred Hetzel of Davidson is the only player to have won the award three times...
.
As a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
in 1974–75, Mayes led the Paladins to second and third consecutive conference regular season and tournament championships, respectively, as well as a third straight NCAA Tournament
1975 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1975 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 32 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 1975, and ended with the championship game on March 31 in San Diego, California...
berth (they lost in the second round to Boston College
Boston College Eagles men's basketball
The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played...
). Furman compiled a 22–7 overall record, including a perfect 12–0 conference record. In the 2009 book, ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game, the 1974–75 team was named the best in the program's history. It was led by Mayes, who repeated at the Southern Conference Player of the Year and also honored as a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. He averaged 21.1 points and 13.5 rebounds for the year, but he also had a stellar supporting cast. Fessor "Moose" Leonard was a center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
who averaged 15.5 points per game, and Craig Lynch provided a strong defensive presence.
The personal accolades for Mayes kept coming, as he was named the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year, which is an award given to an athlete in the conference irrespective of sport or season. In 2010, The Charlotte Observer
The Charlotte Observer
The Charlotte Observer, serving Charlotte, North Carolina and its metro area, is the largest newspaper, in terms of circulation, in North Carolina and South Carolina...
listed Mayes as one of the five best men's basketball players in the Southern Conference during the 1970s.
Professional
After Mayes' collegiate career ended, the Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
selected him as the 22nd overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft
1975 NBA Draft
The 1975 NBA Draft was the 29th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 29, 1975 before the 1975–76 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He played in 65 games for the Bucks as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in . Just prior to the start of the season he was waived. For the remainder of the season, Mayes was temporarily signed and released by three different teams—the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, Buffalo Braves
Buffalo Braves
The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....
and Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
—and appeared in no more than five games for any of them. He decided that he would have greater success overseas, and so starting in the 1977–78 basketball season Mayes found himself playing in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Over the course of the next 12 seasons, Mayes played for teams in Italy, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. In 1983–84 he was named an All-Star in Legadue Basket while playing for Alpe Bergamo.