Cedric Maxwell is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on November 21, 1955, in Kinston, North Carolina, and grew up playing basketball in his hometown. Maxwell attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he played college basketball for four years.
Maxwell was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 1977 NBA draft. He quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Celtics, helping the team win two NBA championships in 1981 and 1984. Maxwell was known for his versatility on the court, as he could play both forward positions and was an excellent rebounder and scorer.
During his time with the Celtics, Maxwell was a key player in several memorable moments. In the 1981 NBA Finals, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading the Celtics to a victory over the Houston Rockets. In Game 7 of the series, Maxwell scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Celtics win their first championship in five years.
Maxwell's career was not without its challenges, however. He suffered a knee injury in 1985 that forced him to miss most of the season. He was also involved in a controversial incident during the 1984 NBA Finals, when he was accused of making a racially insensitive comment to the Los Angeles Lakers' Kurt Rambis. Maxwell denied the accusation, and the incident was eventually resolved.
After leaving the Celtics in 1985, Maxwell played for several other NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. He retired from professional basketball in 1988, finishing his career with averages of 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Since retiring from basketball, Maxwell has remained involved in the sport in various capacities. He has worked as a television analyst for the Celtics and has also served as a coach and mentor to young players. In addition, Maxwell has been active in community service, working with organizations that promote education and youth development.
Overall, Cedric Maxwell's basketball career was marked by his versatility, toughness, and ability to perform in clutch situations. He was a key player on two championship teams and remains a beloved figure in Boston Celtics history.
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