Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tyrese Kendrid Maxey November 4, 2000 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Known for | Playing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA |
Tyrese Kendrid Maxey (born November 4, 2000), also known by the nicknames "The Franchise" and "Mad Max", is a professional basketball athlete competing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played collegiate basketball representing the Kentucky Wildcats.
Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Maxey excelled as a shooting guard at South Garland High School, where he propelled the team to its inaugural Texas state tournament appearance in 2018. Recognized as a five-star recruit starting in his sophomore year, he contemplated bypassing his remaining high school years to join Kentucky early but ultimately stayed to achieve honors such as being named a McDonald's All-American and earning the title of Texas Mr. Basketball during his senior year. At Kentucky, Maxey made an immediate impact by setting a school record with 26 points scored in his first college game.
Following a freshman year interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Maxey declared for the 2020 NBA draft, where he was chosen 21st overall by the 76ers. His rookie season saw limited minutes, with his initial NBA start occurring only when the team was reduced to the league’s minimum roster. The subsequent season saw him elevated to starting point guard after Ben Simmons declined to participate. In his fourth year, Maxey earned the prestigious NBA Most Improved Player Award and secured his first appearance in the All-Star lineup in 2024. After the team's playoff elimination, he was honored with his inaugural NBA Sportsmanship Award.
Early life and high school career
Born in Dallas, Texas, on November 4, 2000, Maxey is the son of Denyse and Tyrone Maxey. His father played collegiate basketball for the Washington State Cougars and later pursued coaching. Drawing inspiration from his favorite player, Dwyane Wade, Maxey’s father designed a training program influenced by NBA stars such as Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving. Remarkably, while competing in sixth grade, Maxey contributed to winning a national championship with his AAU team despite suffering from a broken pinky finger.
During his time at South Garland High School, Maxey distinguished himself as an outstanding shooting guard. In his sophomore year, he averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. His junior season saw averages of 22.5 points, 7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals while guiding South Garland to its first-ever Texas state basketball tournament appearance. He scored an impressive 46 points in the semifinals but ultimately fell short in overtime. Although he considered entering professional basketball early following the 2018 season, Maxey opted to complete high school with ambitions of becoming a McDonald's All-American. He wrapped up his senior year averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
Graduating at the top of his class, Maxey received First-Team All-Area recognition, was named a McDonald's All-American, and earned the title of Texas Mr. Basketball. In 2019, South Garland advanced to the Texas 6A Region II tournament finals but was defeated by Klein Forest High School, despite Maxey’s strong performance scoring 25 points.
Recruiting
By his sophomore year, Maxey had already achieved status as a five-star recruit, ranked No. 14 nationally among high school prospects according to Rivals.com. As a senior, he was placed tenth overall by both Rivals.com and 247Sports, and ranked thirteenth by ESPN. He attracted scholarship offers from prominent programs including Michigan State, UCLA, and Southern Methodist University. However, in May 2018 prior to his senior season, he verbally committed to play for the University of Kentucky. That November, Maxey formalized his commitment by signing a National Letter of Intent with Kentucky.
College career
Maxey made his first appearance for Kentucky at Madison Square Garden during the Champions Classic against the Michigan State Spartans, where he set a freshman scoring record for the school by putting up 26 points in a 69–62 victory. Following a short period of shooting difficulties, he bounced back by contributing 21 points, including four three-pointers, in an 81–56 win over the Lamar Cardinals. On December 28, he delivered a standout performance with 27 points and seven rebounds in a 78–70 overtime triumph against the Louisville Cardinals, which earned him National Player of the Week, SEC Freshman of the Week, and USBWA Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Week accolades.
On February 29, 2020, Maxey added 17 points as Kentucky secured the SEC regular season championship with a 73–66 victory over the Auburn Tigers. The Wildcats were positioned as the top seed entering the 2020 SEC men's basketball tournament, but both the SEC Tournament and the 2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting Maxey's freshman year short. Over 31 games (28 starts), he averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while leading Kentucky with an average of 34.5 minutes per contest. His efforts earned him spots on the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team.
After the season was halted, Maxey announced his intention to enter the 2020 NBA draft on April 6, joining teammates Nick Richards and Immanuel Quickley in declaring for the draft.
2020–21 season: Rookie campaign
Initially anticipated as a lottery selection, Maxey was ultimately picked 21st overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 NBA draft, representing one of the first moves made by newly appointed president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. He inked his rookie contract on December 3, 2020. After limited minutes during preseason games, head coach Doc Rivers designated Maxey as "one of our main bench guys" for that season. He made his NBA debut on December 23, contributing six points along with two assists and rebounds in eleven minutes against the Washington Wizards.
Injuries to key players Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, coupled with COVID-19 related absences, left the Sixers with only eight available players for their January 9 matchup against the Denver Nuggets. This circumstance led to Maxey’s first career NBA start, where he scored an impressive 39 points on 18-of-33 shooting despite a loss. His point total marked the highest scoring debut start by a rookie since 1970 and was also the most by any Philadelphia rookie since Allen Iverson achieved it in 1997.
Throughout his rookie season, Maxey participated in 61 regular season games (starting eight), averaging eight points per contest while shooting 46% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc in approximately 15 minutes per game. During the 2021 NBA playoffs, he appeared off the bench in eight games, posting six points per game on 44% shooting. The Sixers’ playoff run ended after a seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
2021–22 season: Emergence as a starter
Following the 76ers' playoff elimination, Maxey took part in the 2021 NBA Summer League to further hone his skills. At the beginning of the season, with Ben Simmons opting out of playing, Maxey and Shake Milton alternated in the starting point guard position. Over 51 contests, Maxey posted averages of 16.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, which earned him a place on the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Challenge roster.
The arrival of James Harden at the trade deadline prompted Maxey to revert to his primary role as shooting guard, resulting in an immediate scoring surge—he averaged 24.5 points across his initial two games following the trade. He wrapped up the regular season with an average of 17.5 points per game while shooting 48.5% overall and 42.7% from beyond the arc.
During the 2022 NBA playoffs, Maxey delivered a postseason career-best performance with 38 points in Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors, setting a franchise record as the youngest Philadelphia player to tally over 30 points in a playoff contest. The Sixers advanced by winning the series in six games, with Maxey averaging 21.3 points on efficient shooting splits of 51.1% field goals and 40.5% three-pointers.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat, despite Maxey’s standout 34-point game in Game 2, Philadelphia fell short in six games. He concluded the playoffs as the team’s top scorer, averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting 45.6% overall and converting 34.4% from three-point range.
2022–23 season: Consistent advancement
On October 28, 2022, Maxey achieved a career-high by scoring 44 points on an impressive 15-of-20 shooting performance, including nine made three-pointers, leading to a commanding 112–90 victory over the Toronto Raptors. This feat placed him alongside Hal Greer and Allen Iverson as the only Sixers under age 23 to surpass 40 points in a single game and tied him with Danny Green and Dana Barros for the franchise record for most three-pointers made in one game with nine. He completed his third NBA season averaging 20.3 points per contest while shooting an efficient 43.4% from three-point range.
2023–24 season: First All-Star nod and Most Improved Player honors
On November 12, 2023, Maxey recorded a then career-high of 50 points along with seven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks during a 137–126 triumph over the Indiana Pacers. This performance made him only the sixth player in franchise history to accumulate at least 50 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a single game, joining legends such as Allen Iverson, Joel Embiid, Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, and Dana Barros. Additionally, he matched Iverson as one of just two Sixers to score over 50 points before turning 24 years old. Maxey dedicated this outstanding showing to teammate Kelly Oubre Jr., who was hospitalized following a hit-and-run incident. Later that season on December 29, he tallied 42 points in a narrow 131–127 win against the Houston Rockets.
Maxey earned his inaugural NBA All-Star selection as an Eastern Conference reserve on February 1, 2024. On that same day, he surpassed his personal best by scoring 51 points during a tight 127–124 victory over the Utah Jazz. On April 4, he nearly notched his first triple-double with a stat line of 37 points and 11 assists in a crucial win versus the Miami Heat. Three days afterward, Maxey set yet another career-high by pouring in 52 points in a double-overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs. He concluded the campaign averaging an impressive 25.9 points alongside 6.2 assists per game and stood among only three players—alongside teammate Joel Embiid and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker—to register three or more games scoring at least fifty points.
On April 23, Maxey was awarded the 2023–24 NBA Most Improved Player, edging out contenders such as Coby White and Alperen Şengün. Shortly after, on April 30, he posted a playoff career-high of 46 points during Game 5 against the New York Knicks, including seven consecutive points in the final quarter-minute to send the contest into overtime. Despite his heroic effort, Philadelphia was eliminated after six games; nevertheless, Maxey's leadership was credited with maintaining competitiveness throughout Joel Embiid’s two-to-three-month injury hiatus.
On May 16, Maxey received recognition for his conduct by earning the 2023–24 NBA Sportsmanship Award. During the offseason on July 7, he secured his future with Philadelphia by signing a five-year maximum contract extension valued at $204 million.
2024–2025 season: Campaign cut short by injury
During a players and coaches meeting on November 21, 2024, Maxey publicly criticized Joel Embiid for his habitual tardiness to team events. Throughout the 2024–25 NBA season, he participated in 54 games for the 76ers, achieving personal bests with averages of 26.3 points and 1.8 steals per game, alongside 3.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. However, on April 9, 2025, Maxey was ruled out for the rest of the season because of a lingering sprain in his right finger.
2025–2026 season
Maxey commenced the 2025-26 campaign explosively, delivering a 40-point effort against the Boston Celtics on October 22, which included seven successful three-pointers. Within just five days, he elevated his performance by scoring 43 points and dishing out eight assists during a home victory over the Orlando Magic, followed by a 39-point, 10-assist double-double in an overtime triumph at the Washington Wizards.
On November 3, Maxey was honored as the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 2 (October 27–November 2), after averaging an impressive 33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.25 steals per game, helping the Sixers secure a 3–1 record. His momentum continued with several standout 39-point outings in early November, including a key win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
On November 20, Maxey set a new personal record by scoring 54 points along with nine assists in a thrilling 123–114 overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, while also contributing five rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.
National team career
While still in high school, Maxey earned selection to the United States men's national under-19 basketball team for the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship held in Canada. He averaged 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, three assists, and three steals per contest before an ankle injury sustained against Puerto Rico sidelined him for much of the competition. Returning for the gold medal match versus Canada, he added two points over 12 minutes as Team USA secured the championship with a decisive 113–74 win.
Regular season
|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 61 || 8 || 15.3 || .462 || .301 || .871 || 1.7 || 2.0 || .4 || .2 || 8.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 75 || 74 || 35.3 || .485 || .427 || .866 || 3.2 || 4.3 || .7 || .4 || 17.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 60 || 41 || 33.6 || .481 || .434 || .845 || 2.9 || 3.5 || .8 || .1 || 20.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 70 || 70 || 37.5 || .450 || .373 || .868 || 3.7 || 6.2 || 1.0 || .5 || 25.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 52 || 52 || 37.7 || .437 || .337 || .879 || 3.3 || 6.1 || 1.8 || .4 || 26.3 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career | 318 || 245 || 32.0 || .461 || .381 || .866 || 3.0 || 4.4 || .9 || .3 || 19.5 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| All-Star | 1 || 0 || 17.0 || .600 || .500 || 1.000 || 3.0 || 3.0 || .0 || .0 || 10.0
Playoffs
|- | style="text-align:left;"|2021 | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 12 || 0 || 13.0 || .439 || .333 || .636 || 1.8 || 1.3 || .3 || .5 || 6.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|2022 | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 12 || 12 || 40.4 || .484 || .377 || .940 || 3.5 || 3.9 || .8 || .2 || 20.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|2023 | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 11 || 11 || 38.5 || .427 || .400 || .903 || 4.8 || 2.3 || 1.4 || .5 || 20.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|2024 | style="text-align:left;"|Philadelphia | 6 || 6 || 44.6 || .478 || .400 || .893 || 5.2 || 6.8 || .8 || .3 || 29.8 |- class="sortbottom"
|style="text-align:center" colspan="2"|Career |41||29||32.5||.458||.389||.870||3.6||3.1||.8||.4||17.8
College
|-
|style="text-align:left"|2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season |style="text-align:left"|2019–20 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team |31||28||34.5||.427||.292||.833||4.3||3.2||0.9||0.4||14.0
Personal life
Maxey is one of four siblings, having three sisters alongside him. During the 2017–18 collegiate basketball year, his father Tyrone served as director of player development at Southern Methodist University, which was among the programs recruiting Maxey at the time. He currently lives in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, where his residence was damaged by fire on Christmas Eve of 2021; following this event, the 76ers organization offered housing assistance and support to his family.
He shares a longstanding friendship with NBA player R. J. Hampton, having grown up playing in the same area since elementary school, although they never appeared on the same team together. Additionally, Maxey belongs to the "Baggage Claim Boys," a collective of prominent high school basketball talents from the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex who formed close ties during their college recruitment processes, including players like Isaac Likekele and Drew Timme.
Outside of basketball, Maxey is an avid enthusiast of Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly enjoying movies such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Avengers. He has drawn parallels between himself and Spider-Man in terms of character and inspiration. Furthermore, Maxey leads the Tyrese Maxey Foundation, collaborating with Youth Services, Inc., to address truancy challenges within schools throughout the Philadelphia region.