Vernon Maxwell

From Hoopedia

Vernon Maxwell (born September 12, 1965, in Gainesville, Florida) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1989-2001, with his longest tenure being with the Houston Rockets. Aside from his basketball achievements, he was notorious for his erratic public behavior and run-ins with the law, and was arrested eight times in ten years. The nickname "Mad Max" was bestowed upon Maxwell by color commentators for his clutch three-point shooting, which reached its pinnacle in the deciding game of the 1994 NBA Finals between Houston and New York. Maxwell is among a handful of players to amass 30 points in a single quarter, accomplishing that feat en route to a 51-point outing January 26, 1991, against Cleveland.

1 Early Years
2 NBA
- 2.1 Career Highlights
3 Incidents
4 External Links

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Early Years

As a high school senior, Maxwell was the state of Florida's Mr. Basketball, as well as being an All-State defensive back in football.

He attended the University of Florida. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 20.2 points as a senior and still holds 15 Gators records. He left school after four years as the Gators' all-time leading scorer (2,450) and the No. 2 scorer in Southeastern Conference history behind Pete Maravich. He averaged more than 20 points in both his junior and senior seasons.

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NBA

After Florida, Vernon Maxwell's career moved to the NBA. He was a key member of the Houston Rockets' first championship team. Known for his clutch shooting, Vernon Maxwell hit several game-winning shots throughout his career. His defense was tenacious, and he is remembered by many for having kept Michael Jordan significantly below his season scoring averages. Vernon acquired the reputation of being a feisty player. He earned a mention on the Late Show With David Letterman in 1994. Letterman asked his guest, Spike Lee if there was a similar player on the Rockets who brandished Reggie Miller's manner, to which Spike replied, "Mad Max". During the 1995-1996 campaign with the 76ers, Maxwell contemplated trying out for the football Eagles, harkening back to his exemplary exploits on the high school gridiron. Maxwell's last significant contribution in the NBA was during the 1999 playoffs, playing a pivotal role with the underdog Kings in taking Utah to the series limit.

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Career Highlights

Led the Kings in three-point percentage (.346) and ranked 2nd on the team in three-pointers made (80, 12th in the NBA) and attempted (231, 11th) in 1998-99
Scored his 10,000th career point against the Portland Trail Blazers on 3/31/99
Registered his 2,500 career assist against the Miami Heat on 4/17/96
A member of the 1994 and 1995 Houston Rockets NBA championship teams
Is the Rockets' all-time career leader in three-pointers made (777) and attempted (2,442)
Set a Rockets franchise record with 17 three-point attempts against the Boston Celtics on 12/17/94
Established Rockets franchise records in 1990-91 with 172 three-pointers made and 510 attempts
Is one of only five players in NBA history to lead the league in three-pointers made in two different seasons, in 1990-91 (172) and in 1991-92 (162)

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Incidents

1987: Due to NCAA violations, all the points he scored last two seasons in college were eliminated from the record books.
1994: He was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon.
1994: He hit teammate Carl Herrera in the head with a free weight at the head of his; it took 30 stiches to close the wound.
1995: He took two weeks off from the season for "personal problems", only to admit later that he merely wanted an in-season vacation. The incident was hyped as Maxwell being disgruntled at the team's recent acquisition of Hall of Fame guard Clyde Drexler. His actions led to the Rockets firing him.
1995: In a game at Portland, he ran into the stands to punch a fan, later claiming the fan had heckled him over his wife's miscarriage. The NBA suspended him for 10 games (which is when the Rockets picked up Drexler).
1997: Ordered to pay $592,000 for knowingly infecting a woman with herpes. The plaintiff was awarded a default judgment as Maxwell did not appear in court.
1999: In Florida, he was arrested for failing to pay $160,000 in child support. A warrant was issued for Maxwell's arrest in Florida in December 2004 when he failed to appear for another child support hearing.
2005: Maxwell was jailed in January 2005 in Washington state after his arrest as a fugitive on the 2004 outstanding arrest warrant from Florida.
2007: In North Carolina, Maxwell was arrested for drug possession charges. This violated his probation and Maxwell turned himself in and was jailed without bond.