Cedric Maxwell got the nickname “Cornbread” during his college days at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). The nickname came from a teammate who thought Maxwell resembled the character Cornbread in the 1975 movie Cornbread, Earl and Me. The character, played by actor Jamaal Wilkes (credited as Keith Wilkes), was a talented and beloved high school basketball player.

Maxwell reportedly didn’t like the nickname at first, but it stuck — especially after a standout performance in the 1976 NCAA Tournament that brought national attention to him and the Charlotte 49ers. From that point on, “Cornbread” became part of his public persona and followed him into his NBA career with the Boston Celtics.