Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has a surprising goal on his bucket list that was recently revealed by his trainer Drew Hanlen.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is in the midst of a career year on both ends of the floor.
He was recently named an All-Star starter and is averaging career highs in points (30.0), assists (6.7), rebounds (4.4), steals (2.1), and blocks (1.0), while shooting 46.9% and 39.7% from three-point range. He has also started in all but two of the 76ers' games this season.
Fans and the media are of course recognizing the offensive leap he's taken, but few are giving him credit for his defensive improvements.
StatMuse recently revealed that the only players in NBA history to average 30+ PPG, 2+ SPG, and 3+ 3PM are "prime" James Harden and Stephen Curry, along with Maxey this season. This post caught the attention of Maxey's famous basketball trainer Drew Hanlen, who responded to the post revealing the 25-year-old guard has a surprise goal.
Hanlen posted to X, "One of @TyreseMaxey’s goals is to make an All-Defense team…"
This goal is more achievable than ever before for Maxey. Not only is he recording career-highs in steals and blocks, but he is third in the entire league in stocks, only trailing San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler. His defensive presence is also showing up beyond the stat sheet, as he is more aggressive and disciplined on the defensive end than in years past.
One of the most obvious examples of Maxey's defensive improvements occurred Monday night when the Sixers defeated the Pascal Siakam-led Indiana Pacers. He tallied a career-high eight steals in the victory, as he was simply all over the floor defensively. He also added 29 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and a block on efficient shooting to this statline.
In early 2025, Hanlen told a story about Maxey that checks out perfectly with the two-time All-Star striving to earn an All-Defensive Team selection.
"Tyrese Maxey said something last night that was awesome," Hanlen shared with NBCS Boston. He was like, 'Every one of Drew's players--he brainwashes them into being more and doing more than they think they're capable of.'"
It shouldn't be a surprise if part of Maxey's motivation for this goal stemmed from Hanlen's "brainwashing."
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