Tyrese Maxey Bio
Tyrese Kendrid Maxey (born November 4, 2000), nicknamed “The Franchise” and “Mad Max”, is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Dallas, Texas native has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic young guards since being drafted 21st overall in 2020. Maxey’s rapid ascent in the NBA earned him recognition as the 2024 NBA Most Improved Player, and he has represented the Eastern Conference at the NBA All-Star Game in 2024 and 2026. He signed a $204 million five-year contract extension with the 76ers in July 2024.
Early Life and Background
Maxey was born in Dallas, Texas, to Denyse and Tyrone Maxey. His father played college basketball for the Washington State Cougars under head coach Kelvin Sampson before pursuing a coaching career. Tyrone Maxey served as director of player development for Southern Methodist University during his son’s college recruiting process. Young Tyrese idolized Dwyane Wade and told his father he wanted to play like the NBA legend. In response, Tyrone designed a training program based on his video analysis of NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving.
During his AAU career, Maxey demonstrated remarkable toughness. In sixth grade, he broke his pinky finger during the AAU city championship in Garland, Texas, yet chose to finish the game by dribbling exclusively with his non-injured hand. That same year, he lost a national championship with his AAU team, an experience that fueled his competitive drive. Maxey is one of four children; he has three sisters.
Path to Professional Basketball
Maxey attended South Garland High School, where he played shooting guard for the Colonels basketball team. During his sophomore year, he averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. By his junior year, his averages stood at 22.5 points, 7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, leading South Garland to its first-ever Texas state basketball tournament appearance. He scored 46 points in the state championship semifinals, though the team lost to Obra D. Tompkins High School in overtime.
Ranked as a five-star recruit as early as his sophomore year, Maxey was rated among the top prospects in the country. He was considering leaving high school early after his junior season to enter the NBA, but ultimately decided to complete his senior year at South Garland. He achieved his goal of becoming a McDonald’s All-American and was named Texas Mr. Basketball during his final high school season. Maxey entertained offers from programs including Michigan State, UCLA, and Southern Methodist before committing to the University of Kentucky in May 2018.
Tyrese Maxey Career
College Career (2019–2020)
Maxey made his college debut at Madison Square Garden in Kentucky’s Champions Classic victory over the Michigan State Spartans. Playing the day after his 19th birthday, he came off the bench to score 26 points, setting a school record for a freshman debut in the Wildcats’ 69-62 win. He endured a cold shooting stretch before breaking through on November 23, scoring 21 points including four three-pointers in an 81-56 rout of the Lamar Cardinals. His standout performance came on December 28, when he recorded 27 points and seven rebounds in an overtime victory over the Louisville Cardinals, earning NCAA Division I National Player of the Week honors along with SEC Freshman of the Week recognition.
On February 29, 2020, Maxey helped Kentucky clinch the SEC regular season championship with 17 points against the Auburn Tigers. However, the season ended prematurely when both the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Appearing in 31 games with 28 starts, Maxey averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while leading the team with 34.5 minutes per contest. He earned spots on both the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team. On April 6, 2020, Maxey declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Philadelphia 76ers Breakthrough (2020–2024)
Originally projected as a lottery pick, Maxey fell to the 76ers at 21st overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, one of the first selections made by Daryl Morey as the team’s president of basketball operations. He signed his rookie scale contract on December 3, 2020. Head coach Doc Rivers designated Maxey as a primary bench player for the 2020-21 season. He made his NBA debut on December 23, recording six points, two assists, and two rebounds against the Washington Wizards.
A breakout opportunity came on January 9, 2021, when injuries to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons combined with COVID-19 protocols left the 76ers able to field only the league-minimum eight players against the Denver Nuggets. Maxey made his first NBA start and delivered 39 points in 44 minutes on 18-of-33 shooting. The performance marked the most points by a rookie in their first career start since 1970 and the most by a 76ers rookie since Allen Iverson’s 40-point game in 1997. Maxey finished his rookie season averaging 8 points per game in 61 regular season games with 8 starts.
When Ben Simmons refused to play for the 76ers at the start of the 2021-22 season, Maxey platooned with Shake Milton at starting point guard. His development earned him a spot in the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Challenge. At the trade deadline, the 76ers acquired James Harden, allowing Maxey to return to his natural shooting guard position. The move proved transformative as Maxey averaged 24.5 points in his first two games alongside Harden, finishing the season with 17.5 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from three-point range.
During the 2022 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors, Maxey recorded a postseason career-high 38 points in Game 1, becoming the youngest 76ers player to score 30 or more points in a postseason game. Philadelphia defeated Toronto in six games with Maxey averaging 21.3 points per game. He continued his strong postseason performance against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, scoring 34 points in Game 2, and finished the series as the 76ers’ leading scorer at 20.2 points per game.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2024–Present)
On October 28, 2022, Maxey posted a career-high 44 points on 15-of-20 shooting including nine three-pointers in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. He joined Hal Greer and Allen Iverson as the only 76ers players to score at least 40 points before age 23 and tied the franchise record with nine three-pointers in a game. He completed the 2022-23 season averaging 20.3 points per game with 43.4 percent three-point shooting.
The 2023-24 season marked Maxey’s emergence as an NBA star. On November 12, 2023, he scored a then career-high 50 points against the Indiana Pacers, becoming the sixth 76er ever to record 50 or more points with at least 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He dedicated the performance to teammate Kelly Oubre Jr., who had been hospitalized following a hit-and-run accident. Maxey followed with 42 points against the Houston Rockets and on February 1, 2024, scored 51 points versus the Utah Jazz. He closed the regular season with a career-high 52 points in a double-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 7. Maxey became one of only three players that season to record three or more 50-point games, alongside Joel Embiid and Devin Booker.
On February 1, 2024, Maxey earned his first NBA All-Star selection as an Eastern Conference reserve. On April 23, he was named the 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player, winning the award over Coby White and Alperen Şengün. In the playoffs against the New York Knicks, Maxey delivered a 46-point performance in Game 5, scoring seven consecutive points in the final 25 seconds including a 34-foot game-tying shot with 8.1 seconds remaining. He became the first player in NBA history to receive the Most Improved Player award, NBA Sportsmanship Award, and All-Star selection in the same season.
On May 16, 2024, Maxey received the NBA Sportsmanship Award. On July 7, 2024, he signed a $204 million five-year maximum contract extension with the 76ers. During the 2024-25 season, Maxey averaged career highs of 26.3 points and 1.8 steals per game across 54 appearances, along with 3.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season on April 9, 2025, due to a right finger sprain.
Driving Style and Strengths
Maxey is known for his exceptional speed, burst, and ability to finish at the rim through contact. His three-point shooting has shown consistent improvement throughout his career, developing from 30 percent as a rookie to over 43 percent by his third season. His court vision and playmaking abilities allow him to operate effectively as both a scoring guard and playmaker. Maxey’s competitive fire and clutch performance in late-game situations have become defining characteristics of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Maxey’s career highlights include setting the Kentucky freshman debut record with 26 points, scoring 39 points in his first NBA start, becoming the youngest 76ers player to score 30 or more points in a postseason game, and joining Allen Iverson as the only 76ers with 50 or more points before turning 24. His dramatic playoff performances, including the 46-point elimination game against New York, have cemented his reputation as a clutch performer. On February 26, 2026, Maxey surpassed Allen Iverson for the most three-pointers made in 76ers franchise history.
Tyrese Maxey Career Wins
Maxey has accumulated significant achievements across high school, college, and professional levels, demonstrating consistent success throughout his basketball career.
NBA Highlights
At the NBA level, Maxey earned Second-team All-SEC recognition during his lone college season before being drafted in 2020. His professional honors include NBA All-Star selections in 2024 and 2026, the 2024 NBA Most Improved Player award, the 2024 NBA Sportsmanship Award, and All-NBA Third Team honors in 2026. He has recorded multiple 50-point games and stands as the 76ers’ all-time leader in three-pointers made.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to his NBA career, Maxey won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in Canada, averaging 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists during tournament play. In high school, he led South Garland to its first-ever Texas state tournament appearance and was named Texas Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All-American during his senior year.
Tyrese Maxey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Maxey’s father, Tyrone Maxey, played college basketball for the Washington State Cougars before transitioning to coaching. His basketball background provided Tyrese with early training guidance and mentorship. Tyrone served as director of player development at Southern Methodist University, one of the programs recruiting his son during the 2017-18 season. Maxey grew up with three sisters in Dallas, Texas.
Personal Life
During the NBA season, Maxey resides in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. On Christmas Eve 2021, his Voorhees home caught fire while his family was visiting for the holiday. Nobody was injured, and the 76ers provided housing and resources for Maxey and his family. Maxey is childhood friends with fellow NBA player R.J. Hampton, whom he has known since first grade in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is part of a group called the “Baggage Claim Boys,” high school basketball standouts from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex who became friends during college recruiting; the group also includes Drew Timme and Isaac Likekele.
Outside basketball, Maxey is a devoted fan of Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His favorite films include Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Avengers, and he has compared himself to Spider-Man. He operates the Tyrese Maxey Foundation, which has partnered with Youth Services, Inc. to help prevent truancy in Philadelphia-area schools.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025-26 season has positioned Maxey among the NBA’s elite guards. On October 22, 2025, he scored 40 points and made seven three-pointers in the 76ers’ season-opening victory against the Boston Celtics. Five days later, he recorded 43 points with eight assists against the Orlando Magic. His stellar start earned him NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for Week 2, during which he averaged 33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.25 steals per game while leading Philadelphia to a 3-1 record.
On November 20, 2025, Maxey scored a career-high 54 points along with five rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and three blocks in an overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He became only the second player in 76ers franchise history to record at least 50 points and nine assists in a game, joining Wilt Chamberlain. On January 19, 2026, Maxey earned his second NBA All-Star selection and was named a starter for the first time, receiving the second most votes in the Eastern Conference. He also began releasing a signature shoe partnership with New Balance during this period.
On February 26, 2026, Maxey scored his 886th career three-pointer during a game against the Miami Heat, surpassing Allen Iverson for the most in 76ers franchise history. On May 24, 2026, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team, earning his first career All-NBA selection. Maxey has emerged as the unquestioned franchise cornerstone for Philadelphia, demonstrating all-star caliber performance while continuing to break franchise records.