“Other than that picture, you will not find me in pink,” Maxiell said Tuesday. “It was just the one time with that hat, and it’s come back around.”

This time, a lot more people will be fashioning Maxiell’s accessorized look, more than he could have imagined as a rookie. An increasingly popular and pivotal part of the Pistons organization, the third-year forward is now the team spokesperson for the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, a breast cancer awareness initiative in conjunction with National City. “Anything to help at all health-wise, I’m with it and I’m willing to help in any way that I can,” Maxiell said.

Both organizations honored breast cancer survivors at the Pistons’ preseason game Wednesday in Grand Rapids and will do so again Tues., Oct. 24, at The Palace of Auburn Hills. There’s no doubt who the face of the campaign is: a pink-hatted Maxiell mask will be distributed at both games.

A 2005 first-round draft pick, Maxiell’s on-court development has been well documented this preseason. Whether it will carry over to the regular season remains to be seen, but the 24-year-old’s philanthropic growth is already noticeable around The Palace.

“Last year, Maxiell helped out with some of Dale Davis and Rip Hamilton's foundation initiatives, but now he's stepping out on his own to do something for the community,” said Dennis Sampier, director of community relations for the Pistons. “Our fans respond to him well, so we're planning to get him even more involved with community initiatives this year.”

First and foremost this season is “Real Men for Pink,” whose purpose Maxiell has a much greater understanding of now than he did when he first donned the pink cap. “Breast cancer awareness is something growing throughout America,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve been fortunate enough to give back to and show my support.”

Maxiell believes it is just coincidence that his community relations involvement has spiked at the same time he is anticipated to have a breakthrough year as a key reserve for head coach Flip Saunders. When he is on the court this season, he’ll definitely have a cheering section. For the first time in his NBA career, Maxiell will be one of several Pistons to host his own seating section - the “Mini-Max” - at all 41 Pistons home games.

"Maxiell has been involved in the community since he first came to Detroit, but he's definitely taking a great stride this year by signing on to do his first player ticket section for underprivileged kids," Sampier said. "Through the ticket section, he will be bringing out 15 kids to each home game on his own dime."

The “Mini-Max” section is the largest step the Chicago native and University of Cincinnati alum has made yet to give back to his new home, one that he has no intentions to depart any time soon. “The longer I’m here, the longer I’m going to try to help the community,” he said.

That’s good news for Metro Detroit. The Pistons have already exercised their contract option on Maxiell through the 2008-09 season.