Tyrese Maxey, 2019 South Garland High School graduate, is enjoying a successful basketball career with the Philadelphia 76ers. But giving back is also at the top of his priority list, so Maxey was in Garland recently to host a free skills camp for young student-athletes.
He was on the varsity basketball team all four years of high school, and he finished his senior year at #1 in the state of Texas. He was a McDonald’s All-American and helped the USA FIBA U18 men’s team win a gold medal in Canada. He and his teammates took the SGHS basketball team to the state tournament in 2018 and 2019. He also became a five-star recruit as a sophomore. In addition to his success on the court, Maxey graduated in the top 5% of his class.
“I didn’t want to leave GISD,” Maxey said. “I got the education I needed, and I got the sports I needed. And I grew lifelong friendships here.”
After high school, he attended the University of Kentucky where he made the SEC All-Freshman Team and set a school record when he scored 26 points in his first collegiate game. Maxey was also a 2019-2020 Southeastern Conference First-Year Academic Honor Roll member.
He decided to enter the NBA draft in 2020 where he was the 21st overall pick and went to the 76ers.
Because of his strong work ethic, Maxey won the Most Improved Player Award during his fourth season (2023-2024). He was also selected for the All-Star team, and he earned the NBA Sportsmanship Award.
“I’ve always been a competitor,” he said. “I hate losing more than I like winning. But I was always taught to respect my opponents. I see no reason not to be friendly and nice.”
He broke several personal records during the 2023-2024 season. On Nov. 12, 2023, Maxey broke a career record when he scored 50 points, had seven rebounds and five assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers. Then he broke that career record, scoring 52 points April 7, 2023, against the San Antonio Spurs. A week later, he saved a playoff game against the New York Nicks by scoring seven points in the last 25 seconds of the game, and that included a 34-foot game-tying shot.
“A lot of guys played really well [in the playoff games],” he said. “I knew we had a lot of injuries…and I didn’t want the season to be over yet.”
He said that being in the NBA still feels surreal.
“I’m very blessed…You can’t ask for anything better,” Maxey said. “I get to wake up in the morning and see my family and play the game I love every single day and have a lot of fun whenever I’m doing it…I never take it for granted.”
He said that a couple of weeks ago he was resting at the basketball facility in Philadelphia after his early morning workout and called his mom just to tell her how grateful he was to be there.
“Every time I walk into the facility I think, ‘I’m really in the NBA,’” Maxey said. “I really did exactly what I said I was going to do, and I’m just so thankful for it.”
Maxey believes in giving back to the community and enjoys working with kids. He and the Tyrese Maxey Foundation host free, annual skills camps for kids in Philadelphia and Garland as well as a golf tournament. In addition, the foundation conducts toy drives, distributes school supplies, provides Thanksgiving turkeys and more.
The name of the camp is the “1% Skills Camp,” and the focus is to teach the kids to strive to get 1% better every day. Maxey said that working to become 1% better each day is important no matter what the kids’ interests are. He understands that not everyone wants to be a basketball player, but no matter what they choose to be, they should work hard to get better at it. He added that the “1% better” habit also applies to academics and behavior.
“You’ve got to find a way to get 1% better every day,” Maxey said. “And I don’t mean that just in basketball. I mean it about life…”
About the Tyrese Maxey Foundation:
Established in 2021, the Tyrese Maxey Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Garland, Texas. It was founded on faith-based values and exists in order to strengthen family and community through works, example and investment. TMF’s goals are to provide youth with the necessary skills and support to become the next generation of leaders in the community, in their families and in the classroom.
For more information, visit www.tyresemaxey.com