Tyrese Maxey: Year over year growth from an up and coming star

The Sixers undoubtedly have a rising star in the 22-year-old Tyrese Maxey. Entering into his 4th NBA Season, is he poised for another jump in production? Let’s take a look at Tyrese Maxey through the years.

The 76ers selected Maxey out of the University of Kentucky with the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The scouting report coming out of college may have suggested leaving the one-and-done standout open beyond the arc as he shot just 29% from downtown. Other concerns may have been regarding his size and defensive abilities. The major strength of the scouting report coming out of Kentucky? His ability to get downhill with the best of them. With the ball in his hands, Tyrese Maxey is a blur and a threat to get to the rim on every offensive possession.

Rookie Season (2020-2021)

8.0 PPG | 2.0 APG | 1.7 RPG | 15.3 MPG

Tyrese Maxey played in 61 of the Sixers’ 72 contests during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. Tyrese competed for minutes off the bench behind the Sixers starting backcourt of Ben Simmons and Seth Curry.

Notable Performance:

When COVID-19 left many Sixers sidelined, Tyrese Maxey earned his first NBA start against the Denver Nuggets on January 9th, 2021 and he did not disappoint. The rookie put up 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists while playing nearly 44 minutes for the undermanned Sixers squad.

Overall, Tyrese Maxey showed signs of potential, but I’m not sure many were prepared for the jump he would make from year 1 to year 2.

Year 2 (2021-2022)

17.5 PPG | 4.3 APG | 3.2 RPG | 35.3 MPG

Maxey was sure to take advantage of the hand he was dealt in year 2. The post-Ben Simmons, pre-James Harden Sixers needed a starting point guard to run alongside Seth Curry. The Sixers managed to stay afloat in the 2021-22 season despite James Harden not making his team debut until the 59th game of the season. Through 58 games, the Sixers sat at 35-23. Tyrese Maxey played a major role in the team’s success as he started in 74 games for the Sixers. Oh, and that scouting report about not being able to knock down threes? Tyrese’s three-point percentage jumped to 42.7% on 4.1 attempts per game. He shot just 30% from 3 on 1.7 attempts per game as a rookie. After being paired with new teammate James Harden, Maxey’s game continued to flourish.

Notable Performance:

Round 1, Game 1 of the playoffs

Tyrese Maxey dropped 38 points (14-21 FG, 5-8 3PT) en route to a 20-point victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Year 3 (2022-2023)

20.3 PPG | 3.5 APG | 2.9 RPG | 33.6 MPG

Backcourt running mates, James Harden & Tyrese Maxey played well in their first full season together. Tyrese benefitted from being able to play off the ball, while Harden led the NBA in assists per game. Some wondered if Maxey would be able to sustain his level of shooting from beyond the arc, others called his stellar shooting in year 2 a “fluke”. The reality is, he only got better in year 3, ranking 5th in the NBA in three-point percentage at 43.4% while shooting over 6 threes per game.

Notable Performance:

Maxey scored a new career-high 44 points on the road in Toronto on October 28th. Maxey posted this total while shooting an incredible 9-12 from three-point range and 15-20 from the floor. This breakout performance came just two days after Maxey went for 31 points on the same Toronto Raptors team at the Wells Fargo Center.

Year 4

Whatever happens with the James Harden situation, Tyrese Maxey is poised for another big year and our fans are ready to watch him excel. He is no stranger to this type of scenario as he enters into year 4, as year 2 was eerily similar. Another All-Star point guard wants out of Philadelphia? Keep Calm, Tyrese Maxey will be just fine.

What level of production will we see from Tyrese this season? We’ll just have to wait and see as the Sixers season tips off in Milwaukee on October 26th.