Four SEPA 2026 Prospects to Run With Tyrese Maxey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, the 76ers announced that Joel Embiid will be out of the lineup for the near future. Plus, Paul George missed another two games this weekend because of nagging injuries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thus, it looks like the task of keeping the 76ers 2024-25 season afloat will fall on Tyrese Maxey's shoulders. That is a monster workload, even for an experienced all-star guard like Maxey. So, we combed our Pennsylvania Class of 2026 rankings to find Maxey some help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of four prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania's Class of 2026 who I would believe be a good fit alongside Maxey and assist him with keeping the Sixers playoff hopes on life support until Embiid and PG8 return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2251704"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678da1e39a1b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This season Johnston is stuffing the stat book for 16 points and 7 rebounds per game. He is a “big guard” who can run as a two-guard or as a primary ball handler. From either position, Johnston can drain threes and create for himself and teammates off the bounce. With his speed, athleticism, and ability to play above the rim, Johnston excels in transition. His ability grab a rebound and go coast to coast is especially impressive. Johnston plays with a level of poise that is beyond his years. College coaches recognize Johnston's potential as he already holds twenty DI offers. The addition of a guard with Johnston's size, versatility, agility, and long-range shooting would make for a perfect fit alongside Maxey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588135"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678da1e39a217"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are a host of NBA talking heads / “experts” who believe that Maxey would be a more efficient scorer if he spent the majority of his minutes playing off the ball. Bringing in a point guard with McKoy's size, high IQ and elite skill level would allow Maxey to slide over to the shooting guard spot more often. McKoy excels at piloting the fast break for scores or assists. In the half-court he can create for himself or teammates off the dribble. In both offensive situations, McKoy is a filthy live dribble passer. When he is not dropping dimes, McKoy can generate points at every level. He recently hung 29 points (5 threes) on Reading as well as 29 points (3 threes) on La Salle CHS. Villanova is among the schools expressing interest in McKoy.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1611959"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678da1e39a25c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morton-Rivera's attacking stye and elite scoring abilities would be a solid addition to the 76ers lineup. In fact, his end-to-end speed and offensive skill set reminds me a lot of Maxey. Putting “Maxey 2.0” on the court with the original version, would make for an unstoppable backcourt duo. This season Morton-Rivera is averaging 19.5 ppg. while shooting 40% from deep. He recently torched PCL rival Neumann-Goretti for 34 points (4 threes). Morton-Rivera can cook defenders off the bounce, drain threes, and pop mid-range jumpers. When he gets into the paint, Morton-Rivera can finish at the rim through fouls.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2492438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678da1e39a29b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Embiid on the shelf for some time, the 76ers need an athletic and versatile big who works hard at both ends of the floor. Walker is an agile and quick power forward with an extremely efficient offensive game. Walker would be an excellent fit with Maxey as a pick-n-roll partner or in DHO action. He also could operate in the dunker spot and catch lobs off Maxey dribble penetrations. Recently Walker scored 19 points against College Achieve (NJ). At the other end of the court, Walker is an intimidating rim protector. Plus, Walker plays with a tenacity and edginess that the Sixers lineup desperately needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->