"The Paint Commander"

Maci Maynard

@maynard_maci55

IG: @macimaynard_55

6’4, Class of 2028

Martin County HS, KY

There is something different about a true back-to-the-basket force who embraces the paint as it belongs to her, and Maci Maynard owns that space with strength, touch, and a mindset built for battle. She is mostly a traditional big, the kind that seals hard, demands the ball, and goes to work with patience and purpose, creating space on the block, finishing through contact, and cleaning up everything around the rim with relentless rebounding and powerful put-backs. Defenses can crowd her, double her, even lean on her, but she has learned how to absorb that pressure and still deliver.

What separates Maci from being labeled as just a post player is her vision. She sees the floor, anticipates help defenders, and finds the open teammate when the defense collapses, as she takes pride in creating easy buckets for others. When her teammates hit a three or finish through heavy contact, especially off one of her assists, that is what fuels her fire and pushes her to compete even harder on the next possession. That is leadership in real time.

And the numbers back up everything the eyes already see. Ranked #1 and #2 in the state for field goal percentage this season, Maci has been one of the most efficient finishers around while averaging a steady double-double of 15.8 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. She set the school record at Martin County High School for the most rebounds in a single game with 24 boards, a performance built on timing, positioning, and pure will. She now stands on the edge of history again, sitting just shy of 1000 career points and 1000 career rebounds, with a real chance to hit both milestones at the same time early next season. That kind of production does not happen by accident.

Her biggest growth from last year has come in leadership, finishing, and free-throw shooting. She spent the offseason locked in on free throws and on finishing through double teams, learning how to stay strong and composed when the defense sends extra bodies. The results are that she is stronger with the ball, more confident at the line, more vocal, and steadier. Still, she is not satisfied. She knows ball handling and perimeter shooting are the next steps in her evolution, and she is attacking those areas with the same intensity she brings to the paint.

When facing adversity, Maci stays calm and level-headed, understanding that criticism and outside noise often follow success. Instead of getting distracted, she keeps her focus tight on her goals and the people in her circle, refusing to let outside opinions shake her confidence or her direction. That maturity speaks volumes for someone so young.

She already holds two collegiate offers from Kentucky Christian University and Alice Lloyd College, proving that her work is being noticed. But her dreams stretch even further. She wants to play at the D1 level and earn her law degree, with aspirations of competing at schools like Howard University, UCLA, Vanderbilt, and Harvard. On the court, she embraces heated games and pressure moments, welcoming the weight of expectations and setting her sights on district and regional championships for Martin County. To her, basketball is a privilege, a blessing that has brought friendships, memories, and opportunity, and she plays with gratitude every time she steps between those lines.

I assess that Maci is a true interior anchor with elite efficiency around the rim and a relentless presence on the boards. Her size, strength, and ability to score with her back to the basket make her a consistent matchup problem, while her court vision adds value that goes beyond traditional post play. She competes with poise, leads with heart, and understands how to impact winning in multiple ways.

As she continues to expand her ball handling and perimeter range, Maci’s ceiling rises even higher. Her production, composure under pressure, and drive to improve suggest a player who is far from finished. Expect her to chase those 1000-point and 1000-rebound milestones early next season, push Martin County toward deep postseason runs, and continue drawing increased attention at the next level as her all-around game keeps growing. Stay tuned.