Watch: Tyrese Maxey shares wholesome moment with young 76ers fan who beat brain cancer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey shared a heartwarming moment with a young fan who had beaten brain cancer before the team's game against the New Zealand Breakers on Monday. Maxey signed the young fan's jersey in front of his family and friends.
The 76ers' X (formerly Twitter) account posted the moment when Maxey approached the fan, who was seated on the sidelines.
The fan held up a banner that read:
"I beat brain cancer, I lost my vision, but I'm still your #1 fan. Go Sixers!"
Maxey shook the fan’s hand, shared a few kind words and signed the Joel Embiid jersey the fan was wearing.
Watch the touching moment below:
In an April 2024 interview with Andscape, Maxey shared how he strives to continue being a positive influence, crediting his grandmother for teaching him this approach.
“She’d be proud of the person I am,” Maxey told Andscape. “I am still trying to help other people and have a smile that lights up a room. I’m not changing that at all.”
“I was always a happy kid. She told me to never lose that joy. She told me that I always lifted up rooms and to never stop doing that. Always be myself. Don’t let anything change me. As long as I did that, she was happy.”
Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. praise Tyrese Maxey during training camp
Tyrese Maxey received high praise from his teammates during the 76ers' training camp in the Bahamas.
Paul George described Maxey, the 2024 Most Improved Player, as a natural leader.
"He’s natural born. He’s one of those guys who was meant to lead. Regardless of his age, his size, he was one of those guys that was meant to lead," George said (per Sixers Wire).
George has mentioned that Maxey and Joel Embiid were among the reasons he joined the 76ers.
"I’ve been very impressed with Tyrese, his approach, and I’ve always said this since I met him, he’s well beyond his years with just his maturity and it’s showing. He's special."
Kelly Oubre Jr. also praised Maxey’s growth, noting his increased assertiveness this season.
“He’s just more assertive, I would say. He was vocal last year. He’s just more assertive. I think he’s obviously confident, he’s coming to his own, and he has made a name for himself in this league, which he was trying to do last year, and he did that last year," Oubre said.
Tyrese Maxey had a career-best campaign last season, averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.