Sixers' Tyrese Maxey Earns Respect from Peers as All-Star Starter

The 76ers guard reflects on the recognition he's received for his breakout season.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey has earned his first NBA All-Star selection as a starter, and he's opened up about the respect he's received from his peers around the league. Maxey, in his sixth season, is averaging career-highs of 28.9 points and 6.8 assists per game while leading the league in minutes played. He says other players have told him he's "earned" the All-Star nod through his hard work, which he sees as the ultimate sign of respect in the NBA.

Why it matters

Maxey's rise to stardom is a testament to his development and the trust the 76ers have placed in him. As one of the league's breakout players this season, his All-Star selection and the respect he's garnered from fellow players underscores his growing influence and importance to the 76ers' success.

The details

After being selected 21st overall in the strange 2020 NBA draft, Tyrese Maxey has steadily improved in each of his first six seasons with the 76ers. This year, he's taken a major leap, averaging career-highs of 28.9 points and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range. Maxey's heavy workload, leading the league in minutes played at 38.6 per game, has helped keep the 76ers afloat during a challenging season.

  • Maxey was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
  • In his sixth NBA season, Maxey is averaging career-highs of 28.9 points and 6.8 assists per game.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A 23-year-old guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who was selected as an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in his career this season.

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What they’re saying

“Way more than what I thought. It's crazy, honestly. Just, like, everybody's told me that. It's like I appreciate it, man. Having respect from your peers. Most people say 'Dude, you deserve this, man. You've 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.”

— Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers Guard (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The 76ers will return to action on Thursday when they host the Atlanta Hawks after the All-Star break.

The takeaway

Tyrese Maxey's rise to NBA stardom and his first All-Star selection as a starter is a testament to his hard work and development. The respect he's earned from his peers around the league is the ultimate validation of his growth into one of the league's premier young talents.