Tyrese Maxey Embracing the Spotlight as All-Star Starter, 3-Point Contest Competitor
When Tyrese Maxey steps onto the court at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles this Sunday night, he won’t just be playing in his second All-Star Game - he’ll be starting in one for the first time. And make no mistake: for Maxey, this moment is bigger than basketball.
The Sixers guard has been on a steady rise since he entered the league, but this All-Star nod marks a new chapter - one where he’s no longer just part of the show, but front and center. And he’s taking it all in with the same humility and gratitude that’s defined his journey.
“I’m blessed, dude,” Maxey said, reflecting on what it means to him. “Every single day, I thank God.
I sent my family a long text message. My mom and everybody and the people that’s going out there with me.
That’s really what it’s for, man.”
For Maxey, this weekend is about more than just the bright lights and big stage. It’s about representing - both the Sixers, and the Maxey name stitched across the back of his jersey.
“I go out there and try to represent the name that’s on the front of my jersey for the 76ers organization… and then also the name on the back of my jersey, man. I’m blessed to be a Maxey.”
That sense of purpose is part of what’s made him such a fan favorite in Philly - a relentless competitor with a joyful spirit and a deep respect for the game. And even though the All-Star Game has sometimes been criticized for its lack of intensity, Maxey’s approaching it the only way he knows how: with a competitive fire.
“Competing, honestly, man,” he said when asked what he’s most looking forward to. “My first time there, I was really tryna feel things out… you’re still - I don’t wanna say starstruck - but it’s weird.”
That first experience gave Maxey a taste of what the All-Star environment is like: elite talent everywhere, but also a chance to build relationships that go beyond the court. He recalled sitting between Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton - two players he battles hard against during the season - and feeling a little out of place at first.
“Every single time we play them, I’m out there trying to compete and kill, you know what I’m saying? So then it’s like in there, it’s a little awkward.”
But awkwardness gave way to connection. Over time, Maxey started to open up, and the bonds began to form.
“For the first, like, three minutes, I didn’t say much,” he said. “Then we started talking and then you build a little friendship.”
Now, he counts Brunson and Donovan Mitchell among his All-Star circle, alongside longtime friend Scottie Barnes. It’s a reminder that while the NBA is ultra-competitive, it’s also a tight-knit brotherhood.
And Maxey isn’t just showing up for Sunday’s main event. He’s also stepping into the 3-Point Contest on Saturday night - becoming the first Sixer to do so since Kyle Korver back in 2005.
“I wanna win the 3-point contest!” he said with a grin.
“I’m in it. So, why not try to win it?”
That mindset - equal parts confidence and joy - is what’s fueled Maxey’s rise from promising young player to All-Star starter. He’s already won one All-Star Game, and he’s gunning for another. But more than anything, he’s embracing the moment, the competition, and the chance to represent everything he stands for.
“I wanna win on Sunday, too,” he said. “I think it’ll be fun if I embrace the competitive nature.”
For Maxey, this weekend isn’t just a celebration of his talent - it’s a continuation of his journey. One fueled by gratitude, grounded in relationships, and defined by that ever-present drive to compete.