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Sixers' Tyrese Maxey Recalls Training With Spurs Superstar

Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey recently recalled a workout session with Spurs' Victor Wembanyama.
Justin Grasso|
Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots against San
Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots against San | Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

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Over the weekend, the Philadelphia 76ers faced off against rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. For most of the players, they’re still getting used to facing the 7-foot-4 prospect. However, there is one person on the Sixers who has some experience battling against Wemby.

As the game was unfolding Sunday, videos surfaced of Tyrese Maxey and Wembanyama playing one-on-one a few years ago. The two shared a trainer and just so happened to cross paths.

Following the Sixers’ matchup with the San Antonio Spurs, Maxey recalled his time going against Wembanyama. He said he knew right away that the No. 1 pick was going to be special. Maxey also touched on how interesting their encounter was. Wembanyama approached the future All-Star to play one-on-one but only wanted to play defense.

Maxey and Wembanyama both left it all on the floor in Sunday’s double-overtime thriller. In the end, it was the Sixers who would come away victorious by a final score of 133-126.

Wembanyama continued his impressive run to end his rookie campaign. The Spurs big man posted a stat line of 33 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks. However, this impressive two-way showing was not enough to take down the Joel Embiid-less Sixers.

Maxey would end up being the main story in the matchup, as he yet again posted a new career-high in points. The Sixers star erupted for 52, along with five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.

Just a few years after they squared off in an empty gym, Maxey and Wembanyama are proving to be two of the NBA’s brightest young stars.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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