It’s 5 a.m. and the gym lights are off, and the air is still. This is a daily routine for Maxwell Evans who comes to the gym to train every day.

“When I get here in the morning, it’s just me and my pops putting in work,” Evans said.

Evans, a senior, is an all-star athlete with a passion for basketball. He ranked no.4 in the state among all boy basketball players. Although Evans participated in other sports, basketball kept his devotion. At the young age of four, Evans began his journey into the 5 man sport that will take him far in life.

“I’ve been playing basketball for 14 years,” Evans said, “I played football and baseball too, but I knew basketball was going to get me a scholarship.”

Evans played varsity basketball since his freshman year at the school. He kept a high GPA, while he balanced his craft and a social life. Although he had already committed to his dream college, he continued to train and work day in and day out to better his abilities on the court.

“I got a scholarship to play ball at Vanderbilt University,” Evans said. “ My ultimate goal though, is to make it to the NBA.”

He explained the struggle of being a successful student with a tedious load of work, while managing his athletic career inside and outside of school. He strived to stay on top of his grades. He has been on the varsity basketball team since his freshman year. According to Evans, he believed in working hard, so that it would pay off later.

“I wake up everyday at five o’clock to come to school and workout,” Evans said, “My work ethic keeps me hungry for more and helps me to reach my goals that much quicker.”

Family is a big part of his life as an athlete, along with his sisters who play volleyball for the school. His family inspired him to work hard and to pursue his dreams until the very end.

“I get most of my inspiration from my brother Denzel [Romeo],” Evans said.

Evans worked hard for the ranking he obtained within the state, yet he felt like it was not enough. Evans was dedicated to being the best and would stop at nothing until he achieved his goal.

“Kevin Durant said it best, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard,’” Evans said.