Mayweather gets career-win No. 200
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Sugar Hill, GA – Branden Mayweather never really thought about being a basketball coach. His interest was far from the hardwood.
Now, 17 years later, Mayweather has reached a monumental milestone in a coaches career. He reached career win No. 200 after Lanier High beat Apalachee 58-56 on Saturday. Mayweather, 40, is the winningest coach in school history (151-84) as he enters his ninth year at the Gwinnett County school.
The Longhorns (4-1) advanced to the winners bracket in the Jackson EMC Thanksgiving Boys Tournament at 4:30 pm on Monday, which is hosted by Jefferson High School.
Before Mayweather ever thought about scouting opponents, breaking down game film, or putting a game plan together, he had other aspirations.
”I never wanted to be a coach or a teacher,” Mayweather said.
His dad was a teacher. The younger Mayweather wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon and got his undergraduate degree in biology, from Piedmont University. However, while he waited to start medical school, Mayweather started helping out at the high school level.
”Next thing you know (I’m coaching),” he said. “I’ve been teaching and coaching ever since.”
Mayweather, a 2004 Dacula High graduate, went to Presbyterian University before transforming to the Demorest campus to finish up school. He then started helping out at Archer before being named the boys basketball coach at Central Gwinnett in 2013. He held the helm for four years.
Lanier hired Mayweather, who only had four years of head coaching experience, to take over for Jeremy Huckaby. Mayweather has one major principle for his programs.
”No matter the school or the team, we’ve prided ourselves in trying to outwork our opponents,” he said. “It involves me trying to outwork the person across from me in film and prep. It’s the only way I ever survived as a player, and it’s something I try to instill in all my guys.”
The players have responded with multiple 20 plus win season, region championships, state playoff runs, and a trip to the Georgia High School Association state championship game. While the Longhorns have not reached the pinnacle, Mayweather is still passionate about being on the sideline.
This was not a dream of his but it has provided him plenty of memories.
”The season that stands out the most was the 2019 season (26-6) we had,” Mayweather recalls. “Our team made it all the way to the state championship game. I say that because it was an amazing group of players and coaches that came together, but that was a run and stretch of coaching I’ll remember forever.”
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform. Alfonso can be reached at 678-209-9187; email: baselinetosideline@gmail.com; X: bts_report