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 seven points in his first game.

On 21 June 2022, Jackson Makoi signed with the Sydney Kings as a development player for the 2022/23 NBL season.

In his debut season with Sydney, the South Sudanese international took the court in 15 games, posting averages of 2.2 points, 0.8 assists, and 0.73 rebounds in 5.64 minutes per game. His season was cut short by an ACL injury to his right knee.

2023/24
Following the success of the Kings’ 2022-23 championship run, Sydney re-signed Makoi on a new two-year contract, with the first year as a development player and a full roster spot lined up for NBL25.

“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.”

Entering Makoi’s second season, the Kings underwent significant roster changes in preparation for NBL24, driven by several key players moving on to NBA opportunities. MVP Xavier Cooks and DJ Vasiljevic both joined the Washington Wizards, while coach Chase Buford pursued his NBA ambitions, eventually joining the Milwaukee Bucks. Imports Derrick Walton Jr, Justin Simon, and Tim Soares also moved overseas, leaving Jordan Hunter as the sole returning starter from the championship squad.

Former league MVP Jaylen Adams returned after a season in Europe, joined by new imports DJ Hogg (via Cairns), Denzel Valentine, and ex-NBA and Australian Boomer Jonah Bolden, who returned to basketball following a four-year absence. With G-League championship coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah taking over from Buford, Sydney entered the season as strong title contenders despite their extensive roster overhaul.

After ten games, the Kings stood in second place (7-3), with only two losses coming at the hands of the Tasmania JackJumpers (twice) and the Cairns Taipans. This record was achieved despite missing key players DJ Hogg (who was injured during the season’s first half) and Jaylin Galloway.

However, from Round 8 onwards, Sydney’s performance declined, with defensive struggles becoming a recurring theme as they allowed 100 points in nine games, ending the season among the league’s weakest defensive teams.

The team’s highlights came from the pick-and-roll offense executed by Adams (19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals) and Hunter (10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks). Bolden (8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) contributed several strong performances, working his way back into form after a long hiatus. Meanwhile, Denzel Valentine (12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) and DJ Hogg (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks) did not meet expectations on both ends. Sydney ultimately placed fifth, missing the playoffs after falling to New Zealand in the play-in tournament.

Bright spots emerged with breakout performances from rookie Alex Toohey (8 points and 4.0 rebounds), Kouat Noi (10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists), who nearly won the league’s best sixth-man award, and Galloway (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals). These players showcased the team’s depth and young talent despite the overall challenges. Makoi appeared in only 12 games and went scoreless across his limited court time.

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 currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 27 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists since entering the league in 2022.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Cairns Taipans – 1 Year Deal (2024-25)

Dan Boyce (837 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.