CAMDEN, N.J. — Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey has continued to take leaps and bounds forward as a leader in terms of helping his younger teammates and encouraging everybody in the locker room. As he prepares for his sixth season, that is not going to change.
Maxey was very vocal in the 2024-25 season with Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined. He gathered up his group on a regular basis and gave them encouraging words, instructions, and just overall leadership in a season where his young teammates needed it.
Heading into the new season, the Sixers will need those youngsters to continue stepping up. For example, second-year forward Justin Edwards is going to be involved in a lot of what the team wants to do on the floor. Maxey had his message and marching orders for the young forward.
“We’re going to need him,” Maxey said at training camp on Saturday. “He showed what he can do last year. Now, the thing is you come back for your second year, and OK, what else can you do? We know we’re going to need you to defend, we know we’re going to need you to hit some shots. OK, are you capable of driving a couple times and making a play here and there? Are you capable of coming off a ball screen here and there? I feel like that’s what we’re trying to figure out with him right now.”
As an undrafted rookie, Edwards averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 36.3% from deep and taking on a lot of responsibility defensively. He showed off a lot of impressive skills that one has to believe will help him as he moves into his second season and Maxey is looking for him to do just that plus add to his overall game.
“I just want him to be confident,” Maxey finished. “Keep shooting. If he misses or not, it doesn’t matter, especially right now in training camp. Shoot the open ones, play out of closeouts, and just be confident and guard. Pick up the ball every single time. There shouldn’t be a possession where you don’t feel like you’re picking up the ball and guarding it.”
The Sixers will continue looking to Edwards to get the job done right now. They will be looking for more and Maxey will be pushing him to do those things the franchise needs from him.