NEW YORK, NY - Throughout his three years at Purchase College, Max Pearce '18 created a lasting impact on the College's community.
Whether it was by helping establish the new basketball culture under head coach Kyle Martin as his first recruit, excelling in the classroom with stellar grades or just by bringing notoriety to the school, such as when he went to San Antonio, TX in 2018 to participate in the Slam Dunk Championships at the Final Four, Pearce was always a huge voice in the Purchase College community.
And that still remains true to this day as just last week, the former men's basketball star and alum sat down with Ballin' 4 Peace, a New York City based non-profit organization that promotes peace and unity through sports, to discuss his achievements, backstory and Purchase College, as well as current issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd tragedy.Â
Ballin' 4 Peace was created in 2008 by Haron Hargrave (pictured with Pearce), a former standout point guard at Sacramento State University, following the death of a childhood friend to gun violence in New York.
Since then, the Queens native has hosted charity and celebrity basketball games, flag football games and bowling events to help raise awareness about gun violence. With each sports event series, Ballin' 4 Peace (a 501c3 non-profit organization) has made it a purpose to give back to underprivileged neighborhoods and communities through back-to-school supply drives and toy drives during the holiday season.
Thanks to countless athletes, entertainers, musicians, social media influencers, and community activists who have partnered with Hargrave over the years, Ballin' 4 Peace continues to make a strong lasting impact on community outreach and giving back through sports.
If you would like to donate to the Ballin' 4 Peace effort, click here.Â
While Hargrave was the creator of the organization, Wendell Maxey was actually the mastermind behind the Pearce interview.
Maxey, who works with Ballin' 4 Peace in a media relations capacity, has spent the last 17 years working in sports media as a writer, editor, social media manager and in public and media relations roles in the United States and Europe.
A former featured writer with NBA.com, ESPN Page 2, USA Today, FOXSports.com and SLAM Magazine among other publications, Wendell covered the NBA for eight seasons in New York, New Jersey and Portland, before venturing overseas to work in professional basketball in Europe.
During his four years in Germany, the Portland State University grad served as Scouting and Recruiting Director for the Nuremberg Basketball Club in Pro-A Germany before being hired by Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, to direct the international basketball agency's media and communication strategies.
Since returning to the U.S., Wendell has formed his own consulting business and over the past five years has partnered with organizations, businesses and brands in creating, enhancing, and sharing their own success stories through content, social media and overall advising.
Wendell resides in Connecticut and currently serves as Sports Information and Social Media Liaison at King School (Stamford, CT.) and is a featured writer with Wooter Apparel.
To read the interview with Pearce and Maxey on the Ballin' 4 Peace website, click here.
Otherwise, you can keep scrolling for a transcribed version on this site. From this point on, all further writing was done by Wendell Maxey of Ballin' 4 Peace, with minor edits made to the Q/A portion for ADA compliance. When you are bestowed with a nickname like "Hops", a certain showmanship comes with the moniker and expectations arise. While Maxwell Pearce can no doubt jump out of the gym, people may tend to sleep on the Tuckahoe, New York native's versatile two-way game that extends from on the court to making valuable contributions away from the game as someone who continuously gives back to his community.
As Ballin' 4 Peace remains dedicated and committed to being a movement to bring peace and unity through sports to communities effected by violence, it's equally important to provide the platform for those who have taken part in Ballin' 4 Peace sports events to be able to share their own story.
Max Pearce at the 5th Annual Ballin' 4 Peace Charity Basketball Game.
In this "1 V 1 with Ballin' 4 Peace" series, we go one-on-one with Maxwell Pearce and his journey from becoming a standout student-athlete at Purchase College, shining at the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest in 2018, signing with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, the importance of teaming-up with outreach organizations like Ballin' 4 Peace, and his family rooted athletics influences along the way...
Maxey: Before we get into your time competing in sports events with Ballin' 4 Peace, can you share an update about being sidelined with a foot injury and when you anticipate getting through rehab and back on the court?
Pearce: My foot is at about 75%. It has been a 2.5 month process of online rehab and bimonthly doctor's visits, but I am finally regaining strength, balance, and mobility in my ankle.
Maxey: This is a rather difficult time with the Coronavirus pandemic and fall out from the George Floyd tragedy going on in the world. How are you occupying your time and staying busy?
Pearce: Lately, I have been using this time at home to sharpen my mind and focus on the things that I don't normally have much time to attend to. With the racial and political climate as of the last 3-4 weeks, properly educating myself has quickly become my priority. I am planning to use my platform to continue to speak out and make change.
Maxey: Athletics runs deep in your family from your Grandfather being a standout quarterback in high school at New Rochelle, Morgan State, and with the New York Giants and your younger sister running track at Cornell. How have their own stories in sports helped inspire and influence you to excel on the hardwood?
Pearce: The athletic stories of my family have been the ultimate form of inspiration for me and my own journey in a few ways. My grandfather's experiences have shown me that if you remain a person of great character while having athletic success, it can take your career to heights that you dreamed of. My siblings' success as athletes have fueled me to keep going. I understand that as the oldest sibling, I am setting the tone and example for how they will conduct and apply themselves. I could not be more proud of the athletic success in my family.
Maxey:Â From playing college basketball at SUNY Purchase, participating in the NCAA dunk contest, to staring for the Harlem Globetrotters, your basketball journey has been very impressive. Looking back, what have you learned the most through these experiences?
Pearce:Â The most important that I have taken from my athletic experience thus far is to remain humble and use your position to inspire other people. Athletes are in a unique position in society where they have a powerful voice and platform. If used properly, you can create positive change within your community and inspire the next generation.
Maxey: How did you become involved with supporting and being a part of the Ballin' 4 Peace roster of athletes helping give back?
Pearce:Â Social media has been the initiator for so many of the happenings in my career. One day I was scrolling on my instagram and I came across a flyer for the Ballin 4 Peace Dunk Contest. I immediately reached out and was invited to participate. This showed me that B4P is all about inclusion, and that reaching out will always have its benefits. As a person who understands how imperative it is to give back, the Ballin 4 Peace mission was an instant match with me. From there, I have been involved in almost every major event since 2018.
Maxey:Â Along with competing on the floor at Ballin' 4 Peace celebrity and charity basketball games, you've also suited up and shined on the football field with Ballin' 4 Peace. What was that time like for you? Do you apply your same mentality to the football field as you do the basketball court?
Pearce: The Ballin 4 Peace football game was the first time I played in a football game since 7th grade when I played Pop Warner football. It was a nostalgic experience full of great people who all shared the same mission. No one overly cared about winning the game, but understood how to keep the competitiveness in the game. That was one of my favorite events to date. I apply the same mentality in every game regardless of the sport. If I do things that way, I can continue to be my natural self and focus on the specifics of the game.
Pearce (right) is joined by Haron Hargrave at the 4th Annual Ballin' 4 Peace Charity Flag Football Game.
Maxey: Haron Hargrave has become synonymous with putting together impactful community sports events throughout New York that help promote peace? How does Ballin' 4 Peace compare to some of the other charity games you've taken part in?
Pearce: As someone who has partnered with NBA, AT&T, NCAA, and countless other large corporations for events, the Ballin'Â 4 Peace events are my favorite events to attend. The experience is wholesome from start to finish. Everyone in attendance is selfless and shares the same mission. The beautiful thing about it is that although the energy is always extremely high, Haron finds a way to keep things running smoothly and promptly.
Maxey: Why would you recommend other athletes, entertainers, activists, and organizations team-up with Haron and Ballin' 4 Peace?
There are so many benefits to getting involved with Ballin' 4 Peace. Aside from having very competitive games, these events always have like minded people and serve as networking events. It always amazes me when I meet 7-10 new great people to add to all facets of my personal network. Ballin' 4 Peace is a MUST ATTEND!
