There is no doubt that Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has become the face of the franchise. Throughout his career, Maxey had several mentors to look up to, and it paid off for him. He was not always a star, though; in the beginning of his career, Maxey was a bench player for his entire rookie season and did not start a single game. But then Maxey kept getting more opportunities and slowly blossomed into a young superstar. He also faced adversity when former Sixer Ben Simmons was holding out and refused to play; Maxey had to quickly adapt to a larger role and was facing veteran-level pressure.
Maxey was also selected later in the first round and a lot of teams did not believe in him. His first words when drafted by Philadelphia were, “ I just want to thank Philadelphia for this opportunity, and I promise you it won’t be a regret”. Everything he said turned out to be the truth as Maxey is now the face of the franchise. With that being said, we now take a look at the journey it took for Maxey to become the face of this franchise and the journey to get here.
Maxey’s Path to Superstardom With the 76ers
College career at Kentucky
Maxey attended college at the University of Kentucky before being drafted with the 21st overall pick in 2020 by the 76ers. Maxey played one season for the Wildcats and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and All- SEC Second Team. He averaged 14 points per game and dominated the regular season. Maxey’s lone season with the Wildcats was cut short as the March Madness tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his best game at Kentucky, he scored 27 points against the number three team ranked in the country, the Louisville Cardinals. Maxey ultimately took the risk to leave the Wildcats after one lone season and go play in the NBA, where the game is faster, players are stronger and more athletic, and better overall athletes. Maxey and the Wildcats went 25-6 in 2020 and won the SEC regular season championship. In eight games, Maxey led the team in scoring and solidified himself as a potential first-round draft pick.
Maxey’s Career in Philadelphia
As mentioned earlier, Maxey began his rookie season with the Sixers as a bench player and averaged only eight points per game. He leaped in year two with more opportunity and averaged 17.5 points per game. Then came the real star potential: in year four with the 76ers, Maxey averaged 25.9 points per game and was named an All-Star and was selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game. Maxey did not make the All-Star team in year five, but he did increase his scoring to 26.3 points per game.
In Maxey’s sixth season, he averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game and made his second All-Star appearance. The two-time All-Star now heads into year seven with Philadelphia, with expectations high for the team, and Maxey is expected to lead the charge and potentially make his third All-Star appearance. He now has less pressure on him, though, after the 76ers went out and traded for Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James.
Do you think Maxey will continue to increase his scoring in year seven?
