Belmont University softball player Maya Johnson was selected third overall by the Oklahoma City Spark in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft on May 4.
Johnson, an All-American pitcher from Columbia Station, Ohio, enters professional softball after a standout college career. She received an AUSL Golden Ticket from Jessica Mendoza on April 17 and is recognized as one of the most decorated college pitchers in recent years.
During her time at Belmont, Johnson led the team to significant victories over Mississippi State and Georgia and helped secure the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title. The Bruins also earned votes in National Top 25 polls and were ranked No. 1 nationally among mid-major programs by Softball America and D1Softball for much of the season.
Johnson’s individual achievements include being named a 2025 All-American by both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and D1 Softball after leading Belmont to a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament win. She holds the record for most career strikeouts among active NCAA softball players with 1,133. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Johnson graduated with honors in nursing this past May while managing lupus, an autoimmune condition. She has served as a national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America and was a keynote speaker at Nashville’s End Lupus Now walk last fall.
She is also recognized as a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year and is considered an Academic All-America candidate. Johnson joins other Belmont athletes who have been drafted professionally, including Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard and baseball player Matt Beaty. Her selection marks the highest overall professional draft pick in Belmont University history across all sports.
Johnson will join Mississippi State pitcher Peja Goold and Oregon utility player Amari Harper on the Oklahoma City Spark roster. Additionally, former Belmont women’s basketball player Paris Lawson currently works as studio host and reporter for NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
