Former Houston Rockets star and two-time NBA champion Vernon “Mad Max” Maxwell is heading to Indianapolis to anchor a specialized youth basketball workshop as part of the third annual Mike Epps Community Festival Weekend.
Presented by the Mike Epps Foundation and Pink Street Productions, the free instructional clinic takes place on Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at Chapel Rock Church, located at 2020 North Girls School Road. The workshop is tailored specifically for local student-athletes currently enrolled in grades five through 12.
Beyond fundamental on-court instruction, Maxwell utilizes the three-hour session to mentor young players on the importance of academic focus, disciplined decision-making, and emotional resilience. Over his 13-year career, which was highlighted by back-to-back NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995, Maxwell built a reputation as a fierce, clutch competitor. In retirement, he has transitioned into a dedicated mental health advocate, founding the Vernon Maxwell Initiative and hosting athlete-focused symposiums to disassemble the stigma surrounding emotional well-being in sports.
“Basketball can open doors for young people, but the bigger goal is to give them confidence, discipline and people they can look up to,” comedian and Indianapolis native Mike Epps said in a statement. “Vernon brings championship experience and a powerful commitment to mental health. I’m grateful that he is coming to Indianapolis to pour into our youth and celebrate the community with us.”
Moreover, Maxwell will make multiple appearances throughout the weekend’s community programming. He is scheduled to attend the Mike Epps & Friends Comedy Show on Aug. 28, at 8 p.m. at the Old National Centre, followed by an afternoon appearance at the free Mike Epps Community Festival at Washington Park on Aug. 29 from noon to 6 p.m.
The weekend-long community festival is designed to connect residents with wellness resources, grassroots organizations, and family-focused entertainment.
The event series is supported by a coalition of corporate and civic partners, including McDonald’s, Circle City Broadcasting, JD Sports and Professional Management Enterprises.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
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