Maya Brady is a significant reason that UCLA softball reached the Women's College World Series.

Brady, a redshirt senior shortstop, has produced a 4.46 WAR (wins above replacement) in 2024 for the Bruins, leading No. 6 seed UCLA (42-10) as it takes on No. 14 seed Alabama (38-18). Brady has hit .431 with 13 doubles, 17 home runs, 68 RBI, and 59 runs scored in 52 games and 160 at-bats this season.

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Brady has deservedly drawn a lot of attention for her performance on the field this season and throughout her career as a back-to-back Pac-12 Player of the Year and two-time All-America selection. She is also linked to one of the most accomplished athletes of all time: her uncle, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

Here's everything to know about Maya Brady, including her relationship with Tom Brady and her stats ahead of the WCWS:

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Are Maya Brady, Tom Brady related?

Yes, Maya Brady and Tom Brady are related: The UCLA star softball player is the niece of the seven-time Super Bowl champion. His sister, Maureen Brady, is Maya Brady's mother.

Maya Brady turned 23 years old on Saturday, June 1. During the UCLA-Oklahoma game, ABC — which broadcast the game — showed Tom Brady wishing his niece a happy birthday on an Instagram reel.

Maya Brady's parents: Maya Brady and Brian Timmons

As noted, Maya Brady's mother is Maureen Brady. She was an outstanding athlete in her own right as an All-America pitcher at Fresno State and is called the "best athlete in the family" by her younger brother, Tom Brady. Maya Brady's father is Brian Timmons.

Brady has another uncle, Kevin Youkilis, who was a three-time MLB All-Star and a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox. Youkilis even received a shoutout as "Euclis: The Greek God of Walks" in the 2011 film about analytics in baseball, "Moneyball."

One of Maya Brady's aunts, Julie Brady, played soccer at St. Mary's College, while Nancy Brady played softball at UC Berkeley.

Who is Maya Brady?

Maya Brady, of course, is interesting for more than her family. She has starred as the shortstop and has been a vital member of the UCLA lineup for the last five seasons. In her five seasons with the Bruins, she has a career .386 batting average, 48 doubles, 71 home runs, 241 runs scored and 36 stolen bases.

Before coming to UCLA, Brady attended Oaks Christian High in Thousand Oaks, California. She was the No. 2 overall recruit nationally, according to FloSoftball, in the 2019 recruiting cycle. As a senior, she hit .558 with 12 home runs and 32 runs batted in. She finished her high school career with a .464 batting average, 25 homers, 89 RBI and 147 runs.

Maya Brady stats

Here's a look at Maya Brady's stats in her five seasons with the UCLA Bruins:

• 2024: .431 batting average, .515 on-base percentage, 1.359 OPS, 13 2B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 8 SB, 59 runs in 52 games, 196 plate appearances

• 2023: .448 batting average, .515 on-base percentage, 1.381 OPS, 12 2B, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 7 SB, 63 runs in 57 games, 202 plate appearances

• 2022: .339 batting average, .410 on-base percentage, 1.082 OPS, 12 2B, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 11 SB, 53 runs in 61 games, 201 plate appearances

• 2021: .333 batting average, .445 on-base percentage, 1.131 OPS, 7 2B, 14 HR, 38 RBI, 6 SB, 32 runs in 49 games, 161 plate appearances

• 2020: .356 batting average, .443 on-base percentage, 1.142 OPS, 4 2B, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 4 SB, 22 runs in 26 games, 90 plate appearances

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Are Maya Brady, Tom Brady related? UCLA softball star's family, parents