Tyrese Maxey couldn’t hide his excitement after LeBron James agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, celebrating the blockbuster signing while working out.
After learning James had accepted a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia, Maxey turned on his camera, shouted in celebration and compared himself to one of his former coaches.
“I’m like Coach Cal,” Maxey wrote on the video.
The reference was to John Calipari, who built his reputation by consistently recruiting some of the nation’s top basketball prospects. According to reports, Maxey played a key role in Philadelphia’s pursuit of James.
Both players are represented by Klutch Sports, and Maxey reportedly stayed in contact with James throughout free agency as the 76ers competed with Cleveland, Miami, Golden State and Minnesota for the four-time NBA champion.
James now joins a talented Philadelphia core that includes Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and rookie V.J. Edgecombe, giving the franchise one of the league’s most talented starting lineups.
The pairing could be especially effective in the open floor. According to The Athletic, Maxey led the NBA with 382 fast-break points last season, while James ranked second with 343.
After one season under Calipari at Kentucky, Maxey used those recruiting skills to help bring LeBron to Philadelphia.
LeBron James signing with 76ers has Tyrese Maxey feeling like John Calipari https://t.co/QBeOPmZIDD pic.twitter.com/yl7vMUxPi7
— New York Post (@nypost) July 24, 2026
