Men’s Basketball FeatureThe Hampton Script | www.huscript.com Friday, April 4, 2014 | PAGE 7

Sports

Du’Vaughn Maxwell defends the paint and home court.Mark Sutton | HAMPton ScriPt

Du’Veeto theMAX

Kristian WinfieldSPORTS EDITOR

Offense was never the focal point of his game, but Hampton’s defensive anchor, Du’Vaughn Maxwell, has made a name for himself as the black hole in the restricted area.

“I want to be known as a selfish defender,” he said. “I remember being fourth or third team pre-season All-MEAC. It was a slap in the face. Defense is my chance to slap back.”

But unfortunately for opposing teams, he mistook slaps for haymakers.

In this day and age, basketball players are obsessed with finding different ways to score. But since his playing days at Petersburg HS (Va.), Maxwell has shown that exceptional defense can draw just as much attention as solid scoring.

“I’ve had it since my senior year in high school,” Maxwell said about his heightened senses on the defensive end. “It just keeps growing along with my game.”

Last season, Maxwell’s name wasn’t on a single All-conference honor. But things would quickly

change.This season, “Du’Vee” was

named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-MEAC honors.

“Du’Vaughn Maxwell has turned himself into a player of the year candidate,” said Pirates head coach Ed Joyner. “He’s the single that makes it go. He’s that guy that’s kind of the x-factor.”

The six-foot-seven forward led the conference in blocks per game (3.0), while leading Hampton in points (14.9) and rebounds (7.4). Maxwell spoke about the focus he applies not just

on the court, but to other facets of his life.

“It’s a state of mind I’m in and a place I’m mentally at in life,” said the senior recreation major from

New York City. “It’s all about the focus.”

Maxwell’s “focus” and intensity on the defensive end earned him First Team Boxtorow Division I All-America honors. He swatted his was into the Lefty Drissel Defensive All-America

Team and was named a finalist for its National Defensive Player of the Year award. Du’Vee’s presence on the defensive end is especially noted by his teammates when he’s off the floor.

“[I’m more c o m f o r t a b l e playing defense] when Du’Vee’s back there,” said sophomore guard Brian Darden. “He has great help side defense and his timing is perfect when it comes to blocking shots.”

This season, the Hampton Pirates won 13 of 16 MEAC games and earned a two seed in the conference tournament. High expectations came crashing down, however, when the Pirates lost to the Coppin State Eagles in their first game, 83-77.

Hampton then played in the 2014 College Basketball Invitational, but lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions, 69-65--another first-round, post-season loss.

“It hurts not leaving with a ring and even more so going out in the first round,” Maxwell

said. “We went out swinging as a family, and though we don’t like the results, I will go out

with a tough team like that before I win with chumps.”

Maxwell now plans to play professional b a s k e t b a l l , either in the NBA or o v e r s e a s . Using the skills he’s honed over

his two seasons at Hampton, Du’Vee is preparing to embark on the next chapter of his book of basketball.

“Lord willing, I will be playing pro. I’m going through the agent signing process now to find out what’s best,” Maxwell said. “This year, I learned the discipline, dedication and structure it takes to be successful. Using those three things will take me far because I am a work horse [and] over time, I will get better.”

While some of his best moments are on the court, Maxwell’s favorite Hampton memory is cheering on

the football team with his teammates.

“My best memory as a Pirate would have to be the team getting painted and running around screaming at the football game with our shirts off,” he reminisced. “Even though it took days to remove the paint, and I lost my voice and got sick, I always wanted to do that and it was great to support them.”

Though he’s quiet off the court, Maxwell is known as a ferocious defender and an all-around fiery basketball player. From his high-flying, rim-rattling dunks to the quirky way he soars back on defense, Du’Vee Max will go down as one of the best Pirates of them all.

“When I first met him, I remember thinking, ‘wow, this guy is so soft-spoken.’ And yet I’d watch him courtside and he’d turn into this beast,” said the voice of HU athletics, Jaylyn Brown. “As far as Du’Vee leaving, he’s left his legacy, made his mark, and he should be proud of that. We’re all proud of him.”

Maxwell’s legacy as a Hampton Pirate will go down as an individual achievement, but for Du’Vee, there’s absolutely no “I” in “team.”

“I’m a very selfless guy and I really tried to lead and push this team to the max,” Maxwell said. “I had zero individual success; everything I was rewarded speaks loudly on the team that had my back. I told them before the Coppin State game, Defensive Player of the Year and First Team were our awards as a team; that nobody is greater than the next.

“It was all a part of God’s plan, and everybody understands there is more to come.”

After two seasons at Hampton, forward Du’Vaughn Maxwell begins his journey to pro basketball...The “Selfish

Defender”

Maxwell led the MEAC in blocks per game (3.0), while leading Hampton in points (14.9) and rebounds (7.4).

“He’s left his legacy, made his mark,

and he should be proud of that. We’re all proud of him.”- Jaylyn Brown

The Voice of HU Athletics

“This year, I learned the discipline, dedication and structure it takes to be successful.”

- Du’Vaughn Maxwell2013-14 MEAC Defensive POY