1994 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Multiple Sports
It was in the late 1920’s when the Brandon family moved to Flint from Arkansas. Max attended Clark, Parkland Elementary, Emerson Jr. High and Flint Northern. Max had the good fortune to live close to Berston Field House and other playgrounds. He led the Emerson junior high basketball team to the city junior high championship. At Northern in his sophomore year, 1941, he played on the varsity and was the only black player on the team. Coach Barclay said, “seldom has a first-year player exhibited such ability in executing the proper positioning and fundamentals of the game.” The next season, 1942-43, under coach Les Ehrbright, Max was selected All Saginaw Valley guard first team. He was the 3rd black basketball player in the history of Northern and the city of Flint to be 1st team All Valley. Max was the team’s 3rd leading scorer, with 86 points. It was the 1st time in valley history that Flint had only one player on either valley team, a tribute to the playing ability of Max.
In the 1943 City baseball league, playing for Buick C.I.O., he played six different positions that season and hit 308. Playing for the PAL-Club softball district champions in the State tournament he led his team in hitting, 5 for 7 and a .795 BA.
The City Class A basketball champions Buick C.I.O. team 3rd leading scorer in league play, 158 points. City Invitational Tournament Champions leading scorer, 43 points, and Y.M.C.A. Tournament Champions, second leading scorer, 41 points. In all season games played, Buick C.I.0.’s second leading scorer, 242 points.
In 1944-45, while stationed at Fort Devens, Mass. in the United States Army, Max (in 1944) was awarded Sports G.I. of the Week. Playing basketball at Fort Devens while leading the team in scoring, 175 points. Awarded the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1945.
