Running His Own Race: Max Mackinnon is forging his own path

Not only is Max Mackinnon blazing his own trail in basketball, he's getting better at every stop along the way.

Growing up with two parents who were both professional basketball players, it’s more than likely that you’re going to follow suit.

That was the case for talented Australian guard Max Mackinnon. Father Sam was a two-time Olympian with an NBL career that spanned some 17 years earning him two championships, a league MVP and Grand Final MVP and multiple All-NBL honours. While mother Rebecca (née Baragry) forged her own multi-year career in the WNBL.

Max, who started playing junior basketball in Melbourne as Sam was winding up his playing career with the Melbourne Tigers, really took to the sport when they moved back to Brisbane. A product of St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace in high school, Max was a self-described ‘late bloomer’.

Despite having talent, it took a while for it to come together.