The Fighting Spirit of Max May
A well-set physical screen followed by a pretty jumper became a “swish” last March. A stranger at an open spring event sank a 15-footer and was instantly met with a highly encouraging high five from a young man wearing Burnsville shorts. Moments later with a smile on his face, and a passionate effort, Max May was ready to defend.
If there is one guy in Minnesota that I would trust to bring passion to the screen, passion to the defensive end, and passion to encourage a teammate it would be Max May, a 6-foot-3 forward who is now a senior at Burnsville High School.
Max has been through more in his short life than your average high school basketball player, and because of these life experiences he appreciates the game more than your average high school basketball player.
“I started playing basketball in sixth grade and I instantly loved it,” May told Prep Hoops. “Some of my earliest and best memories of basketball are the fun I had traveling to and from the games, the places I stayed, as well as all the teammates I’ve gotten to know.”
Max has continued playing basketball grade by grade and level by level in the Burnsville Blaze program. May played on the ninth grade team as a freshman and then as a sophomore he was ready for the basketball year to begin when he received the type of news that everyone fears.
“My sophomore year I was diagnosed with cancer and missed the whole season (although Max never missed a practice or a game),” Max explained. “I originally had a cyst taken out of my left wrist a few weeks before my sophomore year started.
“The Doctor said it was routine and not to worry. It was about a week later when my parents got a call from the Doctor that the cyst was sent to the Mayo Clinic and they confirmed it was synovial sarcoma, a rare form of Cancer.
“My first thought was, ‘Am I going to die?’ I was shocked and mad. I didn’t feel sorry for myself but cancer is scary.”
Two days later Max had an appointment at the University of Minnesota with his Doctor. Max’s father Jim asked Max if there was anything he would like to see while on campus and Max had only one answer – “I said the Gopher basketball facility!”
“My dad made a call to see if we could get a tour of the Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball facilities and to my surprise I was invited to Richard Pitino’s office. Coach Pitino’s time and kindness is something I will never forget.”
Coach Pitino was one of many people that stepped up to help a young man who had just received devastating news. Pitino’s generosity that say stuck with Max throughout his battle.
“We were on our way to the U and I had just found out I had cancer the day before, we had not yet met with the cancer doctor and none of us had really slept or ate that well,” Max said.
“When we got to the Gopher basketball offices I was surprised to see Coach Pitino standing there, he invited me and my mom and dad into his office. Coach Pitino was really calm and kind, exactly what we needed.
“For a long time Coach Pitino chatted with us about my cancer and basketball. He let me look at all of his memorabilia and then he gave us a tour of the facilities. That visit is still one of the first things I think of when someone asks me about my cancer.”
Support. It’s the first thing needed when a person faces a challenge such as cancer. There is mental exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, and physical exhaustion. Max had that support and he needed it.
Max’s fight was daily. He also needed a release. That release came from the game he loves.
“My treatment was 25 rounds of radiation every day for five weeks,” Max explained. “I hated the drive every day with all the traffic but the one good thing was during those weeks I was able to play basketball and it was the perfect distraction.”
A true testament to the character of Max May was his thoughts for others while fighting his own cancer battle. If you’ve ever been to a children’s hospital where young children are fighting something they shouldn’t have to, you can understand where Max’s mind was.
“Those five weeks visiting the U Children’s Cancer Ward also made me appreciate how lucky I was,” Max said. “Many kids didn’t get to leave like I did and many had really aggressive cancers and treatments.
“The thing that shocked me most when I would go for my radiation was just how many kids were sick. Now that I had cancer it was like a whole new world opened up. I was always impressed by how strong these kids were.
“Many children had aggressive treatments that made them lose their hair, some had to be in wheel chairs or use crutches, and many had to wear masks because their immune systems were weak.
“The other thing that I noticed was how many great people are in the doctor and nursing industry. Those people who come to work and happily help you during your worst times really are special.”
The doctors and nurses were there for Max daily.
“After the radiation treatments I had a surgery to clear out the tumor bed and they would test the tissue to see if cancer was still present.”
On November 10th of 2015 Max was at school when the greatest news of his young life arrived at his phone.
“I was at school when I found out my radiation and my surgery was successful,” Max said. “I got texts from my mom and dad that I was cancer free! My mom and dad could not have been happier. It was obviously great news for me but I still had to heal so it didn’t seem like it was over.
“The healing ended up taking a lot longer than expected. I was really looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule and that especially included playing basketball.
“As I waited to heal, the basketball season started. I am proud to say I never missed a practice or a game and again it was a great distraction to watch my teammates play basketball.
“Finally after the all clear was given by the Doctor my dad and I went to the gym to play basketball and I split the wound wide open. Since the skin was too weak to stitch it required me to wear a wound VAC 24 hours a day for over a month. By this time my sophomore season was over and I was afraid to move my wrist.”
Having beaten cancer this next obstacle was going to be passed. Along the way May’s love for competing on the basketball court intensified.
“My dedication and appreciation for basketball was stronger than ever. I worked hard in therapy and on the court,” Max said. “With the help of Willie Vang I was able to join a Heat team a little late in the year and my junior year I played JV basketball for the Burnsville Blaze.”
The students and staff at Burnsville High School were behind Max every step of the way. Max didn’t open up about his diagnosis at first but when he did the support at the school was another reason area of support that gave him strength.
“The support from my school was great, although I didn’t walk around and tell people I had cancer,” said May. “I wish I would have talked about it more but it’s hard to be different in high school.
“It’s definitely made me more aware of others and trying to help them feel welcome. I think the support from my teachers was the best. They don’t get the appreciation they deserve, every teacher was willing to help anyway they could even staying after school for me a few times.”
One of those teachers supporting Max was Burnsville Head Basketball Coach Matt Eppen, also a cancer survivor.
“Coach Eppen would regularly check in with me and was an encouragement since he also had a battle with cancer. He is a great coach and person. He has so much passion for the game. Knowing he battled cancer and was back coaching was especially inspiring.
“He would text me and seek me out in the hallway at school to say hi and check in. It gave me the hope that I could get through this and begin playing again.”
Also there for May was the Minnesota Heat organization led by Willie Vang, another local strong Minnesota basketball figure that took cancer’s shot and fought it with success. Max played this past spring and summer for Coach Sam Johnson of the Heat and the experience was outstanding.
“Max is a dedicated, tireless worker who is wholly committed to improving his game,” Johnson said. “Perhaps more importantly however, Max is an unparalleled teammate and leader. His energy, proven ability to overcome adversity and relentless work-ethic served as the foundation for our team’s success this past summer.
“I have no doubt that Max will excel wherever he chooses to play after high school and I’m very excited to follow his successes during his senior year and beyond.”
Next up for Max is his senior year at Burnsville. A season that May has been waiting for all of his life.
“I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for this season. I had a great AAU season for the Heat and was invited and went to a couple of college camps. I have been working hard everyday at my game and conditioning and expect big things from myself.
“The Blaze team is going to surprise some people. We have a lot of talent and we really enjoy playing together. We are more about team than individual accomplishments.”
Every night that Max steps on the floor this winter he will do so with gratitude. Max is so thankful for the support he received at home, in his community, and from the medical staff. With the support of a team Max fought cancer and won.
“Cancer has taught me many lessons and has hopefully made me a better person. There are so many good people. Nurses, doctors, teachers, coaches, teammates, family, friends, I couldn’t have done it without them. My family and friends were there for me every step, I’m not sure I can put into words how much of a support they were. My mom and dad continue to be there for every doctor visit.
“Now I’m trying to give back. I’ve done some volunteer work and really like the organization CCRF Children’s Cancer Research Fund. I’m not sure why I was lucky, but I wish all those other kids were too.”
May will continue to offer support to those in need, but he will also take the floor giving his all every night this winter. There were many things that inspired Max May along this journey and basketball was one of those key items.
“I can say I love basketball and everything about it. I love the preparation, practice, games, and my teammates. Knowing I could lose it gave me an extra push to get through treatments and rehab.
“Sometimes it was just a great mental escape, thinking about the next time I would play. Having cancer has made me appreciate it even more as well as life itself.”
Set that screen. Grab that board. Battle every possession defensively. That is Max May and he will continue to fight every day with an encouraging smile.