NBA Draft Blog Interview with Maxie Esho

Senior players at the college level come from a wide array of paths. Whether they were once highly-ranked high school players, or players who developed more at the college level, all have had to go through a maturation process which isn’t always easy. UMass senior Maxie Esho, an athletic 6’9 forward, found himself having to wait for his on-floor opportunities, but in the end, he made the most of his wait when the chance finally came.

Esho’s college career is behind him now, but he can quickly point to how his time at UMass has helped him prepare for his next step. “I learned how to persevere on and off the court,” said Esho. “I was playing behind older guys (including Sampson Carter and Raphael Putney) at the same position, so I learned how to best help the team as a spark off the bench.”

In an era where players are quick to transfer if they feel they aren’t getting the chances, or playing time, they think they deserve, Esho understood that his best opportunity would be to stay where he was. “The coaches had a plan for me from the beginning, including having me redshirt as a freshman,” Esho said. “I set out to prove myself every day during that year. I thought it was best to stay the course instead of leaving. Plus I really liked my teammates. We had a goal and bond together.”

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Esho saw his minutes rise each year from his redshirt freshman season, including a strong junior season off the bench, before making it into the starting lineup as a senior. His perseverance and work paid off, as Esho finished the year averaging over 11 points and 6 rebounds per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field.

Now, as Esho prepares for the next step in his journey, he knows what parts of his game are going to be most attractive to teams at the next level. “My length and athleticism help me stand out,” Esho explained. “Plus, my motor, my ability to just keep working on the court, will help me show teams what I can do.

Esho knows he still has work to do before his game is where he wants it to be, and he has targeted some key areas over the next few months. “I definitely want to work on my jump shot, becoming more comfortable and confident as a shooter,” Esho explained. “I had to play the 4 in college, but will likely play the 3 as a pro, so I have to work on that adjustment, including lateral quickness to guard that position.”

Even while working on his game, Esho knows how he can help any team he plays for right away. “My high motor and defense, being able to defend top guys, should be able to help right away,” said Esho. “I can go out there with a lot of energy, rebounding, things like that to help give my team a spark.”

Though Esho had to wait his turn to show what he could do at the college level, he is ready to show pro teams quickly why he would be a great player for them. “I am very competitive, always try to make plays to help my team win, but also still willing to learn,” Esho explained. “I have a real passion for the game, and I’m willing to do whatever my team needs from me to help them be successful.”

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