March 13, 2026, 3:23 p.m. ET

DETROIT — It’s hard not to like Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey. No matter what is going on, the 26-year-old always has a smile on his face, plays hard, and is one of the great people in this league as he is always nice to everybody.

While Maxey is, obviously, currently sidelined at the moment due to a right finger tendon injury, he is in the midst of a fantastic season. He’s averaging 29.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 46.1% from the floor and 37.3% from deep and being named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career.

It’s that great personality and hard-nosed play on the floor that stood out to his former teammate, and current Detroit Pistons forward, Tobias Harris.

“He’s one of those guys that you always root for, right?” Harris told Sixers Wire in Detroit on Thursday. “I just think his personality, who he is as a player, person, and who he is as a young, rising star in this league. Who he’s forming into has been beautiful to see, even from a distance without being around him. I’m always keeping tabs on him, watching him. We communicate still.”

Maxey recently gave a shoutout to Harris after he became Philadelphia’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made. It’s obvious that the two of them formed a great connection during their time together as teammates and that has continued even with Harris now with the Pistons.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

“He was hanging out with my son, so we’re family,” Harris continued. “I think even to him being an All-Star starter, just the growth and the moment that he’s having right now as one of the young superstars in the league is great to watch.”

Harris has such admiration and respect for Maxey that he’s used him as an example for Pistons teammate Daniss Jenkins to follow. Jenkins was on a two-way deal with Detroit before working his tail off and playing well enough to earn a standard deal with the Pistons. Harris wanted Jenkins to follow in Maxey’s footsteps and it paid off for him.

“When Daniss was in his situation, I brought up to him–I’ve seen Tyrese single-handedly take advantage of his opportunity to the fullest and just go with it,” Harris finished. “A lot of that is a tribute to his work ethic and the time he puts in and the work he puts in, so I couldn’t be more proud of him. And just always handing it with a smile on his face. That’s the most beautiful thing. That’s who he is as a person, too.”

Maxey will continue to rehab and recover to help the Sixers down the stretch, but one thing’s for sure, he will have Harris in his corner no matter what happens.