Class of 1976

Wayne Canady was an excellent student-athlete in both basketball and track. He attended Apex Consolidated through the eighth grade and transitioned to Apex High School in 1972 and graduated in 1976. He quickly became known as an outstanding basketball player and person. A testament to Wayne’s legacy is how many people in the Apex basketball community to this day still speak reverently about him. He was known as a silky-smooth basketball player during his time at Apex and many who know him still refer to him as Wayne “Silk” Canady. He is a true Apex legend in basketball and many in our town fondly recall emulating their shot to look like his. 

During Wayne’s sophomore year at Apex High School, he was promoted to the varsity team. He was later selected to the All-Conference team for both his junior and senior seasons. Further solidifying his standing as one of Apex High School’s greats, Wayne was selected as an “All-Metro” player by the Raleigh Times and he was also named the “Wake County 2A Basketball Player of the Year” in 1976.

Wayne’s high school basketball coach, Morris Andrews, said of Wayne, “He did everything we asked of him in practice, and he never complained. He was a very humble person and player and never did anything for glory. We could always count on Wayne to make a needed basket, no matter the situation, and he continues to be one of my favorite players of all-time.”

After graduating from Apex High School, Wayne attended UNC Asheville for several years and played basketball. During the 1976-1977 season, he received the “6th Man Award,” given to the player who most valuable player who comes off the bench to contribute to the team. 

Apex Hall of Famer and former Georgia Tech standout, Anthony Byrd, considers Wayne the greatest player of all-time at Apex high school and says, “ Wayne Canady is the best basketball player to ever come out of Apex High School. I had the privilege of watching him play and even tried to model my own game after his. His induction into the Apex High School Hall of fame is a well-deserved honor for someone who has made such a lasting impact. Wayne is more than just a great athlete, he is a great person, a loyal friend, and a true mentor and as we all know…he is the GOAT.” Another teammate, David Hooks says of Silk Canady, “He probably had the smoothest jump shot of anyone with whom I played and he deserved his nickname ‘Silk.’ Coach Andrews could draw up a play and we could count on him to score. He was a great rebounder and a terror on defense. On top of that, he was a great teammate.”

After college, Wayne returned home and played in various basketball leagues around Apex and the entire triangle area. However,, in time, Wayne’s desire to travel the world beckoned him and he earned his Commercial Driver’s License and became a truck driver where he lived in Columbus, Ohio; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite Wayne’s travels, Apex has a special place in his heart, and he will always consider Apex as his home.