Cedric 'Cornbread' Maxwell

Cedric Maxwell, the second interview subject for the 2023 season of “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” was an All-American big man who led the 49ers to the 1977 Final Four. That remains the school’s only Final Four appearance, and Charlotte might have won it all that year but for a controversial non-call at the buzzer against Marquette. In Maxwell’s four years at Charlotte, the 49ers had a remarkable 58-0 home record.

After his star turn in March Madness, Maxwell became a first-round NBA draft pick with the Boston Celtics. Teaming with players like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Maxwell was an essential player on Boston teams that won NBA championships in both 1981 and 1984. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1981, and the Celtics retired his jersey number in 2003. 

Now 67, Maxwell serves as the radio analyst for the Celtics, but maintains deep ties to the Charlotte area and lives in the Queen City during the summer.

In our “Sports Legends” interview, Maxwell discusses how he got the nickname “Cornbread,” the 49ers’ run to the Final Four, playing with Bird, the fight he got into with Charles Barkley and how he found out who his biological father was only a few years ago.

Sports Legends of the Carolinas is hosted by Scott Fowler. It's produced by Loumay Alesali, Jeff Siner and Kata Stevens. McClatchy's director of audio is Davin Coburn. For lots more on the show, visit https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sportslegends.

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