‘Happy to play’
Jacksonville stretch forward looks to reach potential
Ryan Maxwell Jr. hopes to study architecture, but before he gets to college, he aims to build another layer of success for the Jacksonville basketball program. Maxwell helped his cousin, Davonte Davis — the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Boys Player of the Year last season, who is now a freshman for the Arkansas Razorbacks — lead the Titans to a 20-5 mark and a berth in the Class 5A state-championship game in March before COVID-19 hit. Because of the pandemic, the finals were not played, so Jacksonville and West Memphis were both declared Class 5A state champions.
Heading into his senior season, Maxwell and the Titans are aiming for another title.
“I feel like we can go back to back,” he said. “I feel like if we all just come together as one and I just step up, we can make it all the way.
“I just want to come out and do whatever it takes to win. I’ve always been the type to just do what it takes. If that means come out and score 20 points and get 15 rebounds, I’m going to do that to win.”
Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner said Maxwell could play all five positions.
“His ball-handling has improved tremendously,” the coach said. “He has a lot more confidence with the ball this year. Last year, Davonte handled the ball, but this year, Ryan has been forced to make decisions on the floor.”
Maxwell, a 6-6 stretch forward, is the Three Rivers Edition’s Player to Watch for 2020-21.
Maxwell was born in Arizona and moved to Jacksonville when he was 6. He began playing basketball even before that on a little goal in his backyard, and he started organized play on a Boys Club team at age 6.
“My first year, we didn’t win no games,” he said, chuckling. “Zero. I don’t even know how that happens. I guess we were just out there having fun.”
He played football for a year but didn’t enjoy the heat and the pads. At 9 or 10, he realized basketball was his sport and set his ultimate goal of reaching the NBA. He remembers always being the tallest person on his team, so he started off playing down low. Over the years, he has evolved as a player, and that evolution continues.
“There are things I’ve got to learn and improve on to be better,” he said. “As a player, I like to do everything — assists, rebounds, scoring. I also like to do the small stuff, the hustle points and stuff like that. I feel like if I just look for my shot more while also doing that, I can reach my potential.”
Joyner agreed.
“We’re trying to get him to be a more aggressive scorer,” the coach said. “The biggest thing we need for him right now is to put up more points and shots.
“He has the potential to be the complete package. He can play inside or out. I don’t think he’s even touched his potential yet. We’re trying to get it out of him. He’s kind of a passive kid by nature, so we’re trying to get him to be more aggressive.
“If he does that, he’s going to be hard to deal with.”
Maxwell has had a good mentor in his cousin Davis.
“I talk to him almost every week,” Maxwell said. “With him, you really just get an example of what a D-I point guard looks for and what he looks for you to do. When you cut, he automatically sees you, so that makes it easier. It’s not hard to score when you have him on your team.”
Maxwell has committed to Nicholls State. Other offers were from Siena College, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Oral Roberts, Henderson State and Southern Arkansas University. He’s also drawn interest from Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Tulsa, Arkansas State and Southeast Missouri State.
An A-B student, he said he will sign next spring.
Before then, though, he knows this final season will be different.
“Last year, my role was pretty much to just rebound and shoot wide-open shots and do whatever my team needed me to do to win,” he said. “This year, I’ve just got to step up more and be more of ‘the man.’ I’ve got to rebound more and hold the best player on the opposite team.
“I’m feeling good. It’s kind of weird because of COVID-19, but overall, I’m just happy to play.”