The Philadelphia 76ers transcendent point guard Tyrese Maxey has been selected to participate in the 2022 NBA Rising Stars tournament. The second-year Kentucky product earns the honors after averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per game. This season, Maxey has never stopped improving, starting in 42 out of 43 games. The Sixers have needed his consistency, ability, and growth since Ben Simmons refused to come to work.
Maxey has been incredible the entire season and has been shooting at incredible efficiency. He has improved his shooting percentages across the board. He improved his shooting from the field from 46.2% to 46.7% and his shooting from deep from 30.1% to 40.1% on nearly twice as many shots attempted.
This Rising Stars selection for Tyrese Maxey comes on the heels of his most impressive performance all season. Maxey took on potential MVP candidate Ja Morant without Joel Embiid and refused to back down. Maxey dropped his season-high 33 points in a duel with Ja Morant, who dropped 37 in response. However, Maxey led his Sixers to a win in Philadelphia in one of the most exciting games all year.
The Rising Stars event will be different this year, featuring a three-game, 4 team tournament. The upcoming event features 12 rookies, 12 sophomore players, and 4 players from the G League Ignite team. Maxey is one of the 12 sophomores to make the roster, playing with the likes of stars like LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. The event will be a four-team, three-game miniature tournament showcasing a brand new format.
The players selected will be placed into a player pool of 28 and sent into a 7 round draft. All four teams will be coached and drafted by NBA legends Isiah Thomas, Rick Barry, Gary Payton, and James Worthy from the 75th Anniversary Team members. The new format also includes a target score, with the first two games being played to 50 points and the final championship game being played to 25 in honor of the league’s “Race to 75” to celebrate the NBA 75th anniversary season. The event will be hosted on Friday, February 18th, at 9pm eastern time.
