76ers’ Paul George Praises ‘Super Talented’ Tyrese Maxey: ‘Mature Beyond His Years’

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 24, 2024

Photo byJesse D. Garrabranty/NBAE via Getty Images

Paul George has been quite impressed with Philadelphia 76ers teammate Tyrese Maxey, calling him “super talented” and “mature beyond his years,” among other compliments in remarks made to Tony Jones of The Athletic.

“He’s super talented,” said George, who arrived in Philadelphia this offseason via free agency on a four-year contract.

“The scary part is that he’s still figuring out the game. He’s still learning how to be the dominant Tyrese Maxey. Once he learns how to do it on every possession, he’s going to be even better as a player. He’s really talented, but he’s also really humble and that’s an amazing trait for somebody so young to have. He’s mature beyond his years. My job is to help make the game easy for him, allow him to work off the ball and come off screens and do his thing. I’m here to help him, and he’s been very accepting of learning from other people It’s been a great partnership so far.”

Maxey, 23, just enjoyed a breakout season in his fourth NBA campaign, averaging 25.9 points on 45.0 percent shooting, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and earned his first All-Star Game appearance as well.

Maxey was thrust into the spotlight last year as the 76ers’ leader when Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, suffered an injury to the meniscus in his left knee and missed two regular-season months.

He then proceeded to cause major problems for the New York Knicks in the playoffs, averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds over six first-round games.

The 76ers lost the series, but it’s clear Philadelphia has a bona fide star to build around for years to come. He’s in the mix now long-term after signing a five-year, $204 million contract extension last summer.

Ultimately, it’s clear George, a nine-time All-Star himself, sees something special in him. There’s of course room for Maxey to continue his ascendance, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him become a perennial All-NBA player soon.