'I'm coming to continue the legacy': Arcadia basketball star Max Majerle following father's footsteps to Central Michigan

Dan Majerle put Central Michigan on the map in 1988 when he became the Phoenix Suns' first pick in the NBA Draft.

Now his son, Max, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from Phoenix Arcadia, is following that path to college.

Max Majerle, after a bridge year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, announced Thursday that he will be playing college basketball at Central Michigan.

Majerle said there was no assist from his dad in getting the Central Michigan scholarship.

"I’m actually the one who informed him when they first started talking to me," Max said. "I had other schools and options I could’ve taken but the coaching staff is amazing.

"I have family close to there, in a really competitive conference filled with great players but then comes in the legacy point of view where I’m also going to a town where my dad's name is big and famous.

"Now I’m coming in to continue the legacy there with people looking forward to watching me play and to see what I can do. But I’m focused on doing everything I can do to help the team win and, with our coaching staff and players we got, it’s gonna be great."

Dan Majerle, the former Grand Canyon University men's basketball coach, who helped lead the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals and was an All-Star guard, said his son shouldn't feel extra pressure to perform at a school he starred at in the 1980s.

"He's been used to it growing up in Phoenix," Dan said. "Ever since he's been playing basketball, he's heard all that crap about me. That doesn't bother him. That doesn't even factor in for him."

Dan's brother lives in Michigan, so Max will have his uncle there for support.

Dan believes the Mid-American Conference will fit well for his son.

"He'll be playing for a really good coach (Tony Barbee) to get better and have a chance to be pretty good," Dan said of his son.

Majerle underwent knee surgery during his Arcadia career, a setback that hurt his recruiting.

Playing at Brewster last season, Majerle was able to develop his game more as a tough defender and able to score from all three levels. Brewster is a nationally renowned program that has produced 19 players who have gone on to play in the NBA.

"I think it will be awesome to go out there and play," Majerle said. "I will have a lot of people cheering for me. I'm gonna show everyone the hard work I’ve been putting in."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Arcadia basketball star Max Majerle commits to Central Michigan