"Rim Warrior Rising: Power, Poise, and the Will to Win"

Maddox Newburg

@madd_newburg

IG: @maddox.newburg

6’4, 190lbs, Class of 2027

Grand Ledge HS, MI

Maddox is a physical presence who plays bigger than his frame and thrives off effort, toughness, and feel around the rim. As an undersized big, he embraces the challenge of battling down low and finds ways to finish through traffic, rebound through contact, and provide a steady interior force. What separates Maddox is his tenacity, he never shies away from physical play and knows how to bring life to his team when they need it most. Whether it’s a big-time putback, a momentum-grabbing board, or simply getting vocal in a timeout huddle, Maddox is the player who leaves his imprint on every possession.

This past season, Maddox started for Grand Ledge and averaged 8 points per game, showing steady production while carving out his role. His biggest improvement was learning how to attack and finish more aggressively, highlighted by a breakout performance against Lansing Eastern that flipped the switch and gave him confidence to step into a bigger offensive role. Heading into the offseason, his focus is on building his inside game further and developing his ball-handling and perimeter shooting to become more versatile. He's currently competing with the School Days Foundation program, bringing fire to the paint and aiming to make noise on the GBL circuit. His personal goals are to help put his team on the map, win major tournaments, and get on the radar of college programs.

Maddox is particularly excited for the team’s first GBL session in Columbus, where he’ll have the chance to make an early statement. In the first 2 tournaments he is averaging 12.8 points a game , validation of his continued development. Looking ahead to next school season, he’s driven to help Grand Ledge make a strong playoff push and be a vocal leader that lifts his team in tight moments. When the energy dips, Maddox becomes the spark, his communication, hustle, and emotional lift are just as impactful as his rebounding and scoring. He processes the game, makes adjustments on the fly, and brings intensity that shifts momentum.

The best coaching advice he's received is, "Just play". Carefree, confident, and competitive, Maddox steps on the floor with one goal: to make his presence felt and give everything he has to help his team win.

I assess that Maddox is a rugged inside presence with a growing all-around game. His finishing touch, rebounding strength, and team-first mentality make him a valuable post player, especially in fast-paced systems looking for interior anchors who bring energy and effort.

As he continues to develop his handle and extend his game beyond the paint, Maddox has the potential to become a multi-dimensional big who can contribute in a variety of roles. His toughness, leadership, and steady progression point toward a bright future as a true competitor. Maddox is just scratching the surface of how much he can develop inti a fierce and versatile force whose physicality could be a huge upside to take his game to another level. Stay tuned.