Former Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s coach Cynthia Mayes begins her first season as an assistant at Sacramento State. Mayes will serve as the team’s recruiting organization coordinator as well as working with the post players and other on-court coaching responsibilities. In addtion, she will also organize this summer’s Sacramento State Fundamental Camp.
Mayes spent last season as an assistant at Gonzaga under head coach Kelly Graves. Prior to that, the Citrus Heights, Calif., native coached three seasons at Saint Mary’s (1997-2000).
Her coaching career began as an associate head coach with the Sacramento Capitals AAU team in the summer of 1998. She guided the squad to the “Battle of the Bay” championship and also served as coordinator for the Sacramento Basketball Festival.
Mayes played four years at both the point and shooting guard positions at Pepperdine University (1993-97). While with the Waves, she played in 98 career games and was a three-time West Coast Conference all-academic selection. She graduated from Pepperdine with a degree in Sports Administration and a minor in Sports Medicine.
A 1993 graduate of Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, Calif., Mayes was a two-time all-Capital Athletic League selection and became the third player in school history to break the 1,000-point scoring barrier.
Mayes, who is currently pursuing her master’s degree in counseling, was recently married to Brandon James. The couple currently resides in Sacramento.
**Information from the Sacramento State Media Guide.