Vernon Maxwell

Vernon Maxwell was born on September 12, 1965, in Gainesville, Florida. He attended Buchholz High School, where he was named Florida Mr. Basketball in 1984 and also excelled as an all-state defensive back in football. Maxwell went on to play college basketball at the University of Florida from 1984 to 1988 under coach Norm Sloan. During his time with the Florida Gators, he set 15 team records and became the Gators’ all-time leading scorer with 2,450 points, ranking second in Southeastern Conference history behind Pete Maravich. He consistently averaged over 20 points in his junior and senior seasons, leading the Gators to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. His college statistics from his last two seasons were officially restored by the University Athletic Association on September 18, 2025, solidifying his place as UF men’s basketball’s career leading scorer. These college achievements laid the foundation for his professional basketball career.
Maxwell was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 1988 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he played for two seasons. In February 1990, his contract was sold to the Houston Rockets, marking a significant turning point in his career. With the Rockets, Maxwell became a key player, contributing to the franchise’s first NBA championship in 1994. He was recognized for his clutch three-point shooting, earning him the nickname “Mad Max” from commentators. In January 1991, Maxwell set a career high with 51 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, including 30 points in a single quarter, a rare feat in NBA history. He also held the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a season from 1991 to 1993. Although he was not part of the Rockets’ 1995 championship team due to a mid-playoff departure, a decision he has since expressed regret over, his earlier contributions were instrumental. He later played for several other NBA teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, and Dallas Mavericks, before concluding his 13-year career in 2001.