BIO: Anyiarbany Makoi, better known as Jackson Makoi was born in Egypt before moving to Melbourne, Australia at a early age. He moved to the United States to play high school basketball.

He moved to the US in 2019 to play high school basketball with Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota, Florida).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jackson Makoi made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 22 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

After winning the 2021/22 championship, Sydney lost Jaylen Adams (to Belgrade), Jarell Martin (to Tel Aviv), Ian Clark (overseas) and Makur Maker (to Washington). Championship coach Chase Buford retained Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover and Jaylin Galloway before signing Derrick Walton Jr (via Detroit), Tim Soares (via Europe), former Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon (via Illawarra), Kouat Noi (via Cairns) and Jackson Makoi (via Croatia).

The South Sudanese international joined Sydney on a one-year development-player deal with a team option for the following season after playing professionally for Vrijednosnice Osijek in Croatia. “The Kings have always been a quality club in my eyes not to mention they’ve just come off a championship and I’ve seen success with the young players they’ve developed,” Makoi said.

Makoi made his regular-season debut at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 8:53 as Sydney defeated Illawarra 106-97. Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal), Cooks (24 points and 4 rebounds), Simon (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals) and Vasiljevic (16 points) led the Kings, while Lachlan Dent (19 points), Tyler Harvey (18 points) and George King (14 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Makoi (2.2 points across 15 games) remained outside Sydney’s regular rotation as a development player and was primarily used during short periods from the bench. No injury was reported during the opening four months of the season, with his limited opportunities coming while Walton Jr and Shaun Bruce handled the majority of Sydney’s point guard minutes.

He played a season-high 14:12 during Sydney’s third consecutive victory, finishing with 1 rebound and 3 assists as the Kings defeated Melbourne 91-71 at John Cain Arena. Cooks (23 points and 9 rebounds), Vasiljevic (15 points), Soares (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Simon (12 points and 5 rebounds) helped Sydney hold United to six points during the second quarter while producing a 25-0 run, while Jordan Caroline (10 points and 10 rebounds) and Lachlan Barker (10 points) were Melbourne’s leading scorers.

His best all-round game came against South East Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on January 4, where Makoi (6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) made two of four field-goal attempts in 17:14. Vasiljevic (42 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) set a Kings record for a 40-minute game by making 10 three-pointers, while Cooks (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), Soares (15 points and 4 rebounds), Jordan Hunter (10 points) and Noi (10 points and 4 rebounds) helped Sydney win 118-102. Mitch Creek (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists), Kyle Adnam (20 points and 6 assists), Alan Williams (14 points and 10 rebounds) and Junior Madut (13 points and 6 rebounds) led the Phoenix.

Makoi added 4 points in 3:50 during Sydney’s 116-67 victory over Brisbane on January 11. Cooks (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists), Soares (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Walton Jr (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Glover (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Simon (11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Kings, while Nathan Sobey (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Tyler Johnson (13 points and 4 rebounds) led Brisbane as Sydney recorded the largest winning margin of the NBL’s 40-minute era.

His best scoring game came during Sydney’s final regular-season game against Perth on February 5, where Makoi (8 points and 2 rebounds) made all three of his field-goal attempts and both free throws in 8:32. Vasiljevic (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Cooks (15 points) led Sydney, but Corey Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Luke Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) and Brady Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 96-84 victory. Makoi was helped from the court after injuring his right leg during the third quarter, with the injury later confirmed as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He underwent surgery later that month and was ruled out for Sydney’s entire postseason.

Sydney finished first with a 19-9 record and secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Cooks (15 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 33 games) was named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player and joined Walton Jr (15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 33 games) in the All-NBL First Team. Vasiljevic (13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds across 35 games), Simon (10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 35 games), Soares (9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds across 35 games), Noi (8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 34 games), Glover (7.1 points and 3 rebounds across 31 games), Hunter (5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 35 games), Galloway (5.1 points across 30 games) and Bruce (4.3 points across 35 games) completed Sydney’s main rotation.

The Kings later re-signed Makoi on a two-year deal, with the first season keeping him as a development player before his contract converted to a full roster position. “Being a part of an amazing group and organisation and winning the grand final in my first year is something I’d like to do again,” Makoi said. He continued his rehabilitation with an expected return during the middle of the following season. “Rehab has been very positive so far. We’re taking it one step at a time and not trying to rush the process – looking to come back stronger and healthier than before,” he said.

After Cairns defeated Perth in the Play-In Tournament, Sydney opened the semifinals at Qudos Bank Arena with a 95-87 victory. Cooks (27 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Walton Jr (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Soares (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Hogg (24 points), Jonah Antonio (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Shannon Scott (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Cairns.

Game two moved to the Cairns Convention Centre, where Hogg (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Tahjere McCall (20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Waardenburg (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Cairns to a 93-82 victory. Walton Jr (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Simon (19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Noi (12 points and 4 rebounds) led Sydney, while Cooks rolled his ankle after landing on Hogg’s foot, Buford was ejected and Soares was later fined for striking Waardenburg.

Sydney recovered in the deciding game, defeating Cairns 79-64 behind Vasiljevic (15 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (11 points and 11 rebounds), Noi (11 points and 11 rebounds) and Walton Jr (10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 steal), while Ben Ayre (20 points and 4 assists) and Waardenburg (17 points and 12 rebounds) led the Taipans.

New Zealand opened the Championship Series by defeating Sydney 95-87 at Qudos Bank Arena. Simon (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Hunter (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Walton Jr (12 points and 6 assists) led the Kings, while William McDowell-White (19 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Barry Brown Jr (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Jarrell Brantley (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led New Zealand. Walton Jr suffered severe cramp late in the game, while Cooks left the court with leg corks.

Game two moved to Spark Arena, where Walton Jr played only 4:50 and Cooks lasted 9:05 before both were unable to continue because of their leg problems. Noi (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Vasiljevic (16 points and 4 rebounds), Simon (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals) and Glover (12 points) led the undermanned Kings to an 81-74 victory, while Brown Jr (21 points and 3 rebounds), Brantley (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Izayah Le’afa (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led New Zealand.

Back in Sydney, Vasiljevic (15 points and 4 rebounds), Soares (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Simon (13 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks), Walton Jr (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Cooks (10 points and 8 rebounds) led the Kings to a 91-68 victory in front of an NBL-record crowd of 18,049. McDowell-White (11 points and 6 rebounds), Brantley (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals), Brown Jr (10 points and 3 assists) and Rayan Rupert (10 points and 3 rebounds) led New Zealand as Sydney moved ahead 2-1.

New Zealand forced a deciding game by defeating Sydney 80-70 at Spark Arena. Walton Jr (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists), Glover (12 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) led Sydney, while Brantley (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block), Brown Jr (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and McDowell-White (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) combined for 62 points for the Breakers.

The Championship Series returned to Qudos Bank Arena for game five, where New Zealand led by 12 points during the first half before Sydney took control with a 14-0 run late in the fourth quarter. Walton Jr (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists), Cooks (19 points and 11 rebounds), Glover (12 points and 9 rebounds) and Noi (11 points) led the Kings, while Brown Jr (22 points and 4 rebounds), Brantley (16 points and 4 rebounds) and McDowell-White (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led New Zealand. Sydney won 77-69 in front of an NBL-record crowd of 18,124, completing back-to-back championships and claiming the club’s fifth title, with Walton Jr named Championship Series MVP.

It was the last game of the season, and it delivered all sorts of drama.

Re-live the best bits thanks to @HungryJacksAU ⤵ pic.twitter.com/KxOiNZnVDW— NBL (@NBL) March 15, 2023

2023/24
Following Sydney’s NBL23 championship, Makoi re-signed on a two-year contract, remaining a development player for NBL24 before a planned move onto the full roster in NBL25. However, the ACL injury suffered late in the previous season kept him sidelined for almost the entire campaign.

“Being part of an amazing group and organisation and winning the grand final in my first year is something I’d love to experience again,” the 22-year-old shared when he re-signed.

“My first season in Sydney was incredible. The coaching staff and my teammates helped me grow in so many areas – from leadership on the court to adapting to a high-tempo style that taught me to approach the game with a different perspective.”

Makoi finally returned in Sydney’s last regular-season game against South East Melbourne on February 17, where Makoi (0 points and 2 assists) played 51 seconds as the Kings recorded a 122-67 win. Hogg (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Adams (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists) led Sydney, while Owen Foxwell (16 points) was the Phoenix’s leading scorer.

Makoi (0 points across 1 game) did not take the court in Sydney’s 83-76 Play-In Qualifier loss to New Zealand, before the Kings released him from the remaining year of his contract following the season.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2024/25
Heading into the 2024/25 season, Cairns undertook a significant roster transformation following the departure of key imports Patrick Miller and Tahjere McCall. Also exiting were Bul Kuol (to Sydney), Lat Mayen (to Adelaide), Bobi Klintman (NBA Draft), and Josh Roberts, creating large holes to fill across multiple positions.

To rebuild, the Taipans recruited Rob Edwards, Pedro Bradshaw, and Tanner Groves as their import trio. Rising star Taran Armstrong was promoted to team captain and installed as the starting point guard. Veteran Kyle Adnam (via Illawarra), versatile forward Kyrin Galloway (via Adelaide), and athletic wing Jackson Makoi (via Sydney) rounded out the core additions. Sam Waardenburg returned to anchor the frontcourt, while development players Alex Higgins-Titsha and Kody Stattmann (via South East Melbourne) added depth.

Makoi was slotted into a bench role as a high-energy combo guard. Known for his quickness and ability to pressure the ball defensively, he became an integral piece of the second unit, often tasked with providing spark and tempo when Cairns’ offense stagnated. His versatility allowed him to fill minutes at both backcourt spots, especially during periods when injuries thinned the rotation.

Cairns started brightly with a 3–1 record, including wins over Melbourne and Tasmania. But the early momentum faded quickly. A narrow three-point loss to Perth and a blowout defeat in Sydney marked the start of a 10-game losing streak through November and December. Defensive lapses, rebounding issues, and inconsistent shooting plagued the team throughout this stretch.

By the end of 2024, the Taipans had dropped to 3–16 and occupied last place on the NBL ladder. Taran Armstrong missed games due to an ankle injury sustained in warmups before Round 3, and Tanner Groves sat out multiple weeks with a calf strain. With starters missing a combined 25 games, the team turned to short-term signings Deshon Taylor (3 games) and Tad Dufelmeier Jr (4 games) to patch gaps. Only Kyrin Galloway played all 28 games.

January offered a brief resurgence. Cairns went 4–3 across the month with wins over Illawarra, Brisbane, and a thrilling double-overtime victory against Perth. Edwards was prolific, while Armstrong delivered the league’s only triple-double of the season in a home win over Brisbane. Though Makoi played a supporting role, his hustle and length provided backcourt stability during this improved stretch.

Cairns finished the season at 8–21, bottom of the standings with the league’s lowest points percentage (92.49%). Shortly after the season concluded, head coach Adam Forde stepped away after three seasons at the helm, including one finals appearance.

Jackson Makoi wrapped up the season averaging 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 11 games. His standout performance came on November 10 against South East Melbourne, where he tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also recorded 13 points and 4 rebounds in a close loss to Brisbane on November 2 and chipped in 9 points and 6 assists against Adelaide on October 25. While his role was limited, Makoi showcased tools that could warrant further opportunity in the seasons ahead.

Sam Waardenburg (14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) was the team’s most consistent contributor and earned Club MVP, Defensive Player, and Members’ Choice MVP accolades. Rob Edwards (19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) was a top-tier scorer, while Tanner Groves (13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds) and Pedro Bradshaw (10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds) added scoring punch. Youngsters Kyrin Galloway (7.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks), Akoldah Gak (6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds), and Alex Higgins-Titsha (6.2 points, 3.9 rebounds) rounded out a promising group of emerging contributors.

Jackson Makoi played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 27 NBL games.