Thon Maker, a story like no other

Thon Maker, a story like no other

Google Advertisements

Last month Australian giant Thon Maker had every college coach in the NCAA drooling when he announced to the world he would leave high school early to attend college. The upcoming months the Mike Krzyzewski’s and and John Calipari’s of the world try their best to develop a relationship with the young star in attempts to wear blue and white for their school, problem is they probably have never heard quite a story like the one of Thon Maker.

Thon was born in what is now South Sudan. His uncle, a local government administrator, made arrangements for him, his younger brother, Matur, and his aunt to escape the Sudanese civil war to Uganda when Thon was just five years old. From there, they were accepted as refugees by Australia. From there, the moved to Perth, Western Australia where the family eventually made their permanent home.

When he was 14, Maker was discovered by Edward Smith, an Australian benefactor who helps migrant/refugee children receive opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t get. Smith had previously helped fellow Sudanese expatriate athletes Mathiang Muo and Ater Majok, and subsequently offered Thon’s aunt to feed, clothe and educate him in Sydney. At that time Thon was spending his time playing soccer, and had never played basketball a day in his life.  Once arriving in Sydney, however, Thon played basketball for the St. George Basketball Association during 2011 where his combination of size and athleticism led him to be a dominant force on the court. Just before the team’s playoffs, however, Maker and Smith left the country to attend an elite basketball talent camp in Texas.

Once in the US, Maker attended two schools in Louisiana before eventually matriculating to Martinsville, VA, and the Carlisle School. As a freshman in 2012–13 playing varsity team, Thon averaged a very impressive 23.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 4.9 blocked shots. The following season, Maker averaged 21.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 4.2 blocks.

In 2014, Maker and his brother both left Virginia, and enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Ontario, CAN, following Smith, who now holds a position there as an assistant coach.

Maker’s shooting ability and athleticism have had high-major D1 coaches knocking down his door for some time now. He now holds offers from nearly every blue-blood college basketball program.  The rare combination of size and skill that Thon possesses has NCAA coaches and NBA GMs giddy.

Hoopsscoop.com had this to say about the talented big man:

Strengths
Extremely agile, athletic and gifted 7 footer that has limitless potential. Possesses smooth ball handling skills for a big man, with the ability to go from coast to coast or even break down defenders 1-on-1. He uses his length to his advantage, finishing above the rim with ease or even squaring up and shooting jumpers from mid to long range. Defensively he can be just as dominant, blocking shots (4.2 BPG) with reckless abandon and using his length to grab rebounds (13.3 RPG) and excel at protecting the rim. He’s only 17 years old, so he could end up being 7’2″ or more by the time he starts playing college ball.

Weaknesses
Still pretty raw since he didn’t start playing basketball until he was 12 years old. He often appears out of place inside and lacks a set of go-to moves in the post, which raises questions about whether or not he’ll be able to play the center position at the next level. One of his biggest issues is how many contested shots he opts to take, especially from long range which has dramatically impacted his 3 point efficiency. It’s vital he adds more weight to his wiry frame, as he’s bound to struggle against larger big men inside once he faces stiffer competition.

Recently, Maker has been the talk of college recruiting, as he made it known in late February that he was going to make an attempt to re-classify to graduate in 2015. Needless to say, college coaches searching for a versatile big man have taken notice.  Much of the internet chatter these days seems to center around three schools; Kentucky, Kansas, and Indiana.

thon-maker-twitterObviously, tweets like the one above certainly give IU fans a dose of optimism going into next season. Indiana has three really big things going for them with Maker.

First, Indiana is in dire need of some quality size in the front court. Whenever Indiana has played a team this season with a dominant post presence, they’ve struggled. Having someone with Maker’s size and athletic ability would certainly help in that area, and needless to say, playing time is readily available.

Secondly, Indiana has had two big men go in the NBA draft lottery in the last two seasons.  That certainly has not gone unnoticed in recruiting circles.

Finally, Indiana makes no secret that they value players that are versatile, and can play and defend multiple positions.  With his speed and athletic ability, Maker certainly fits that bill.  Furthermore, Indiana’s offense would definitely be the perfect fit for a big man that likes to slash and score from the perimeter, but has the ability to post up inside and command the double team as well.

The Thon Maker story is the most interesting of any High School recruit in the last five years due to the combination of incredible ability, his unique upbringing and the fact his basketball development has been influence by three different continents Africa, Australia and North America.

Thon Maker has a chance to change Basketball with his decisions on what country to play for in the Olympics and not if, by when he chooses the play in the NBA.

Dan Boyce (830 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.


Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • The Wollongong Hawks’ 2001 NBL Championship: The defining moment of an underdog’s rise

    There have been championship runs in the NBL defined by dominance and the sheer weight of talent that could overwhelm opponents before the ball was tipped. The dynasties of Perth, the star-studded reign of Melbourne, and the rise of Sydney’s financial muscle all tell tales of powerhouses that knew how to stay at the top. But there has only ever been one championship like Wollongong’s in 2001—a title won through sheer resilience, a team that had no business being there until they forced their way…

    READ MORE
  • If Dyson Daniels Doesn’t Win Defensive Player of the Year, It’s a Disgrace

    The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy. But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace. Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this…

    READ MORE
  • Sydney Kings’ Xavier Cooks Faces Further Consequences After Positive Cocaine Test

    Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has served most of his one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine but may still face additional disciplinary action from his club. He was provisionally suspended in early February after returning an adverse analytical finding just two days before the Kings’ sudden-death clash against Adelaide. Basketball Australia later confirmed the ban, though the club initially cited “personal leave” as the reason for his absence. Despite the violation, Sydney Kings officials reportedly want to retain Cooks, who remains under contract for…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Free Agent Tracker

    Below is an up-to-date roster for each NBL team and a list of rumours and potential signings derived from discussions with NBL staff and media. Players listed as contracted come from information supplied by the National Basketball League. * = Denotes import player ** = Naturalised Australian DP = a member of the team's development roster SRP = the previously named Asian player exception denoting an Asian player who qualifies as a local in the NBL. MP = Marquee players listed as known Click here…

    READ MORE
  • How Aussie Hoops Is Vital For Asia Basketball

    The recent FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Traralgon showcased not just Australia's dominance in the region but also why Australian basketball is becoming an invaluable asset for Asian nations looking to grow their game. The Boomers' commanding victories over Indonesia (109-58) and Thailand (114-64) were not just displays of superior talent but reflections of an elite system that consistently produces world-class players. For Asian basketball federations seeking a model to learn from, Australia offers an ideal blueprint—one that balances elite player development, a thriving professional…

    READ MORE
  • New Sydney NBL Team: A Next Stars Hub in the Making?

    A second Sydney NBL team is expected to be the league’s next expansion franchise, with Gold Coast, Darwin, and Canberra all encountering significant roadblocks in recent months. It’s believed the Harbour City Stars is the leading candidate for the team name, following a branding strategy similar to how San Francisco’s Golden State Warriors use a regional moniker rather than the city’s name. This broader identity would emphasize the team’s connection to Sydney’s iconic harbor while avoiding geographical constraints within the city. In addition to Harbour…

    READ MORE
  • ‘I don’t have any regrets’ – Malique Lewis’s Next Star Journey

    South East Melbourne Phoenix Next Star Malique Lewis has had an incredible journey from Trinidad and Tobago to professional basketball. In his first NBL season, Lewis played all 29 of South East Melbourne’s regular-season games, as well as its seeding qualifier and play-in game, experiencing both life in the starting five and coming off the bench. Although his stats don’t immediately stand out—averaging 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game—his impact goes beyond numbers, particularly on the defensive end. Looking back, Lewis admits…

    READ MORE
  • NBL Next Star Malique Lewis on the Phoenix’s Playoff Run and plans for the NBA draft

    Rising star Malique Lewis joins the podcast to discuss his incredible journey from Trinidad & Tobago to professional basketball. At just 16, Lewis left home for Spain, where he developed his game with Fuenlabrada, before making the leap to the G League with Mexico City Capitanes. Now, as a Next Star with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, he’s one step closer to his NBA dream. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Lewis opens up about the challenges of leaving his family behind, why he…

    READ MORE
sekolahtoto SEKOLAHTOTO SEKOLAHTOTO sekolahtoto http://178.128.104.2/ sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto sekolahtoto

SEKOLAHTOTO

SITUS TOGEL

depo 5k

https://www.instalikes.org/

sekolahtoto

situs toto

slot deposit 5000

sekolahtoto

situs togel

situs togel