On this episode of The Art of the Story, Harlem Globetrotter and award-winning mixed media artist Maxwell "Hops" Pearce talks about the important role his family has played in his career.
The 6-foot Pearce, who played for Purchase College in New York, caught the attention of the Globetrotters after winning the 2018 Dark Horse Dunk Competition during Final Four Weekend. He has a 48-inch vertical! In 2018, Maxwell participated in the NCAA College Slam Dunk Competition where he represented Purchase College. At the event, Pearce threw down some of the most prolific dunks – one of which included a one-handed self-alley-oop slam dunk while filming himself with a cell phone camera.
Maxwell grew up idolizing NBA greats like Vince Carter and Nate Robinson. As a kid, he recalls watching videos of Carter’s slam dunks on the internet and then going outside to attempt them himself.
Pearce is the first NCAA Division III Basketball player to be fully featured in TWO video games (NBA2k and NBA Live).
Pearce notably creates his artwork out of shoelaces and sports equipment. He has worked with HBCU schools, the NFL, NBA, Reebok, Players Tribune, and more.
Family has played a key role in the development of Maxwell Pearce.
"I want to say I started creating artwork in the third grade. For a while it took a backseat to sports. My parents put me into a lot of sports. I played a little bit of tennis. I played basketball obviously. I played baseball, football and ran cross country. Between practice for those sports and making sure I took care of my schoolwork, it was always challenging to give the time I wante dto to art. My grandmother's influence comes in because at one point I was a terrible student academically, not behaviorally, because I was really shy. I just didn't see the value in applying myself when I was in middle school. My grandmother is a former educator for like 40 years. I've been really lucky to have her as a resource. She lived across the street from each. She's largely responsible for my transformation as a student."
Pearce made the Dean’s List on numerous occasions as well as multiple honor roll lists throughout his collegiate career.
The Globetrotters will celebrate their 100th anniversary next year.
Pearce understands he's part of a wonderful and groundbreaking legacy.
"It means a lot to me because the Harlem Globetrotters are responsible for so many important advancements within the game of basketball. We're responsible for integrating the NBA in 1951. We had the first woman, Lynette Woodard, to play on a professional basketball team in 1985. On a more consistent level, wherever we play we're able to produce a smile and a laugh on people watching us, whether we speak the same language or not, which is really cool."
The next local stops on the Harlem Globetrotters' World Tour include Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 22, Core Insurance Center in Trenton on February 28 and Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on March 2. You can check out the full schedule and roster here.
You can SEE the entire SportsJam interview with Maxwell Pearce here.
