Tyrese Maxey Earns All-Star Starter Nod, Gains Respect From Peers

The Philadelphia 76ers guard's All-Star selection and popularity with fans showcase his growing influence beyond the court.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was voted an NBA All-Star starter, earning the respect of his peers who have praised his hard work and accomplishments. Maxey ranked fifth in Eastern Conference player voting and second in fan voting for the conference, making him the most popular American-born All-Star this season. While Maxey is focused on continuing to perform well for the 76ers organization and his family, his rising profile is becoming an asset for the team off the court as well, with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo expressing interest in potentially playing alongside him.

Why it matters

Maxey's All-Star selection and growing popularity showcase his development into a multi-dimensional asset for the 76ers, both on the court with his play and off the court with his ability to attract interest from other star players. This could help the 76ers in future roster moves and solidify Maxey's standing as a key part of the team's long-term plans.

The details

In his third NBA season, Tyrese Maxey was voted an NBA All-Star starter, a significant accomplishment that has earned him praise and respect from his peers around the league. Maxey ranked fifth in Eastern Conference player voting and second in fan voting for the conference, making him the most popular American-born All-Star this season. Opponents have approached Maxey to congratulate him on the selection, with many telling him he "deserved this" and "worked his tail off" to earn the honor. Beyond the court, Maxey's rising profile has also caught the attention of other star players, with reports indicating that Giannis Antetokounmpo was "very amenable" to the prospect of playing alongside Maxey if the 76ers made a strong push to acquire him.

  • Maxey was voted an NBA All-Star starter for the 2026 game.
  • Maxey's All-Star selection was announced in mid-February 2026.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A 22-year-old guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who was voted an NBA All-Star starter for the 2026 game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star forward for the Milwaukee Bucks who was reportedly interested in the possibility of playing alongside Maxey if the 76ers made a strong push to acquire him.

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What they’re saying

“Way more than what I thought. It's crazy, if I'm being honest with you, everybody's told me that.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers Guard

“Most people said, 'Dude, you deserved this. You worked your tail off and you earned it. This wasn't given to you, you earned this one.' I'm just thankful, man. When you get respect from your peers, that's the ultimate respect. They respect you, then you're doing something right.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers Guard

“We can talk and be friends in the locker room. But when we get out there playing, I want to win. I want my team to be able to win. I'm going to help my team do whatever it takes to do that”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers Guard

What’s next

Maxey will make his first NBA All-Star game appearance as a starter on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The takeaway

Tyrese Maxey's All-Star selection and growing popularity among fans and players showcase his development into a multi-dimensional asset for the Philadelphia 76ers, both on the court with his play and off the court with his ability to attract interest from other star players. This could help the 76ers in future roster moves and solidify Maxey's standing as a key part of the team's long-term plans.