Tyrese Maxey, a 23-year-old NBA player, ranks 9th in jersey sales for the first half of the 2023-24 season, indicating his potential for stardom beyond basketball. With only two exceptions, every other player on this list has made an All-NBA team: Victor Wembanyama, the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft and the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, and LaMelo Ball, who won Rookie of the Year in 2021, made an All-Star team in 2022, and had the Ball Publicity Factory boost his name recognition into the stratosphere.
In this case, however, popularity appears to be slightly ahead of the curve of on-court results, with Maxey looking prepared to join these players sooner than later. He should be in the All-NBA conversation by the conclusion of the season, with current averages of 25.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. He ranks 15th in the league in scoring and 16th in assists per game, thanks to his exceptional shooting efficiency and ball protection. Maxey is also set to make his first All-Star team. While Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard were selected All-Star starters ahead of him this season, he finished second in the player vote. On Thursday night, we’ll find out whether he earns the well-deserved All-Star nod.
