Athlete of the Week: Max Kirsch

The dimly-lit Thompson Gym sits dormant—that is, until the rubber skin of a basketball strikes the wooden floor. Every few seconds, the swish of the net disturbs the dribbling as the winter Exeter wind seeps under the thin doors of the gym. It’s late Friday night, and senior Max Kirsch is perfecting his shot.

Kirsch’s basketball shot was embedded in his lifestyle, even as a child. His practice and knowledge of the game came almost naturally, perhaps even genetically. Kirsch’s father, David Kirsch, collected awards and claimed leadership during his tenure on the Babson College basketball team, where he was a two-year captain. Furthermore, Kirsch’s grandfather, as an avid basketball player of his own, has also influenced his practice.

Now, Kirsch’s diligence on the courts and persistence in the weight room have been noticed by both his coaches. Associate Director of Admissions and varsity boys’ basketball coach Jay Tilton described Kirsch’s work ethic as “exceptional” and tagged Kirsch as a “patient and resilient” worker. “He has an accurate sense of his personal strengths and areas of needed growth,” Tilton said.

A ton of people work hard at this school but Max takes it to another level. He’s always on top of his stuff, and his consistent performance academically is proof.”

Tilton recognized Kirsch’s dedication to his team, from Kirsch’s prep year to his final year of playing for the varsity team. “Max has developed into a productive team leader and strong college prospect through his commitment to his body and foundational skills. He has put in a great deal of mental preparation and is a very strong student of the game—one of the very best I’ve coached at any level,” Tilton said.

His teammates have also recognized and looked up to Kirsch’s work ethic. Fellow co-captain and senior James Foye described Kirsch’s dedication to the team and program as “unparalleled and inspiring.”

In addition to his athletic commitment, Foye said that they often joked that the library was Kirsch’s second home. “A ton of people work hard at this school but Max takes it to another level. He’s always on top of his stuff, and his consistent performance academically is proof,” he said.

Senior JT Thompson echoed Foye’s statements, commending Kirsch as a “tremendous worker.” “He is always in the gym getting in extra shots or another lift. He brings this same work ethic to the Harkness table day in and day out. It is something to strive for,” Thompson said.

Postgraduate Tommy Mobley explained that Kirsch’s positivity motivates the entire team. “Max is organized and always willing to work his hardest. His presence makes everyone around him work hard because he is leading by example,” he said.

Similarly, Thompson described Kirsch as the rock of the team. “Without him, the offense doesn’t click and we lose an important guy in the middle of our defense. On and off the court, he is always engaged and bettering the team,” Thompson said.

Kirsch’s main focus during games is keeping the team organized. “I have the ball in my hands a lot—trying to get the ball to the other players in positions where they can score,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to have such good players around me where I can just make simple plays, and they make me look really good.”

Kirsch’s teammates emphasized the value of his versatile and quick thinking. “It’s easy for most people to see that Max is a knockdown shooter from three-point range and a talented player in the post, but what people overlook is Max’s passing ability,” Foye said.

Postgraduate Cooxooeii Black explained that Kirsch possesses a remarkable basketball IQ which allows him to make the right decision during games. “He’s a very skilled fundamental player. He knows the plays and can run them to the max,” Black said.

This year, Kirsch leads the team as a co-captain along with seniors Perry DeLorenzo and James Foye. Mobley credited Kirsch’s success as a leader to a combination of his skill and personality. “He is nothing but kind to everybody he meets and impacts the environments that he is in positively. He leaves places better than how he found them and brightens everyone’s day,” Mobley said.

Tilton expressed his confidence in Kirsch’s leadership, observing his improvement as a player over the past four years. “He’s played with countless teammates who have moved on to play at all levels of college basketball. Having the opportunity to learn from them, to compete with them has elevated his game to a high level,” Tilton said.

A few weeks ago, Kirsch injured his calf and could not play in a game. However, he still supported his fellow teammates and filled his role as a captain. “Max suffered an injury, but that didn’t stop him from helping the team win. He brought even more energy and enthusiasm from the bench, making sure everyone knew their assignments,” Thompson said.

Foye acknowledged Kirsch’s impact on his Exeter basketball experience. “From the first day I stepped on campus my lower year, he made me feel welcomed, and I knew he’d be one of my closest friends for the next three years. I’ve seen how hard he’s worked and the tough times he’s endured to have the success he’s having now,” Foye said.

During Kirsch’s prep and lower year, Exeter varsity boys’ basketball won the New England Championships. Although the team made the playoffs last year, they did not secure the third championship.

Tilton said he was exceptionally proud to have the opportunity to have worked with Kirsch for four years. “I’ve been very fortunate to have coached some tremendous players and people at Exeter. No one exceeds what Max has meant to my growth as a coach and the success of our program,” Tilton said.

Kirsch credited the success of his entire experience on Exeter’s team to his teammates. “I’m going to miss the camaraderie. We have a really tight team,” he said. A lot of my really good friends who are here now or have graduated all came through the basketball program with me.”

Next year, Kirsch will be playing basketball at Claremont McKenna. Although he said he will miss his team at Exeter, his impact on the team will continue after he leaves. Thompson explained that the friendships formed between Kirsch and his teammates go way beyond basketball. Thompson said, “He has become a friend for life. I have never met a more genuine and kind-hearted person.”