Rookie Tyrese Maxey making a good impression at Sixers training camp

Doc Rivers and Mike Scott both had solid things to say about Tyrese Maxey following Monday’s 76ers practice.

“I thought he was the MVP today,” Scott said of the rookie.

Maxey was making plays offensively, making jumpers and hitting three-pointers, Scott said. The power forward added that his teammate was great on defense, while being active and communicating.

“But the best thing about him is he is willing to listen, willing to learn and ask questions,” Scott said. “He is getting off to a great start and has to keep that up and he will be a great young player. Today I thought was one of his best days.”

The Sixers selected Maxey with the 21st overall pick in the Nov. 18 draft out of Kentucky. The 20-year-old Maxey was a second-team All-SEC Conference performer after averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his lone college season. The combo guard, who was projected to be selected in the teens, was a first-round steal for the Sixers.

He missed the early part of training camp due to COVID-19 protocol but has adjusted well.

Rivers noted that Maxey was well-coached at Kentucky. The coach actually like Kentucky guys early in their careers, because Wildcats coach John Calipari does a “great job” of preparing them for the NBA, he said.

“You see Max defensively especially know how not to get picked, knows to fight through picks, stay in front of the ball, talks on defense,” Rivers said. ‘For a rookie, that’s unheard of and he’s doing all those things.”