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).
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 organization 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.
Jackson Makoi currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 20 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 1.7 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists since entering the league in 2022.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Cairns Taipans – 1 Year Deal (2024-25)
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.
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | 24 | South East Melbourne | 4-2 (3) | 0 | 5.0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 8% | 0% | 1 |
2024-25 | 24 | Cairns | 2-3 (7) | 0 | 5.0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 8% | 0% | 1 |
2023-24 | 24 | Sydney | 16-12 (3) | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
2022-23 | 22 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 15 | 85.0 | 33 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 68% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 7 | 8 | 88% | 72% | 68% | 8 | Totals | 20 | 102 | 34 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 24 | 54.2% | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 8 | 10 | 80.0% | 60% | 54% | 8 |
SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | 24 | Cairns | 2-3 (7) | 0 | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | 0.0 | 0.0 | #DIV/0! | 0.0 | 0.0 | #DIV/0! | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | #DIV/0! | #DIV/0! | 50% | 8% | 0% | 1 |
2023-24 | 24 | Sydney | 16-12 (3) | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
2022-23 | 22 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 15 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 68% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.5 | 88% | 72% | 68% | 8 | Total | 20 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 54.2% | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.2 | 80.0% | 60% | 54% | 8 |
POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
---|
Played for South Sudan during the FIBA World Cup Qualifying window in 2022.
In 2024, Jackson was selected to be a part of Sudans first basketball team to qualify for the Olympics. In addition to Makoi, the Bright Stars roster also included NBL players Sunday Dech, Bul Kuol, Majok Deng and Kuany Kuany who was named team captain.
On 8 September 2021, Makoi signed his first professional contract with Vrijednosnice Osijek of the Croatian HT Premijer liga
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com
POS | TEAM | W | D | L | PTS |
1 | Top Club FC | 21 | 3 | 3 | 66 |
2 | The Reapers | 20 | 4 | 3 | 64 |
3 | Crimson Kings | 19 | 4 | 4 | 61 |
4 | Wind Slayers | 18 | 2 | 6 | 56 |
5 | Deadly Predators | 18 | 2 | 4 | 56 |
Shawn Dennis, head coach of Japan's Nagoya Dolphins, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of Japanese basketball and its strong connection with Australian players and coaches. Since its launch in 2016, the B.League has become one of the highest-paying leagues worldwide, attracting both seasoned Australian coaches and NBL talent. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. Dennis, going into his sixth season in Japan, joins host Dan Boyce to shed some light on how the NBL and B.League could benefit from closer…
READ MOREPlans for a new 12,000-seat stadium in Southport have injected momentum into the Gold Coast’s bid for an NBL franchise, positioning the city as a frontrunner for league expansion by 2027. Set to overlook the scenic Broadwater at Carey Park, the proposed stadium has sparked confidence among NBL officials that the region could sustain a national basketball team. NBL Chief Operating Officer Vince Crivelli expressed optimism, emphasizing that a world-class venue is essential for expansion. “We are encouraged and supportive of the exciting progress on…
READ MOREDyson Daniels is making waves in the NBA—not just with his scoring or playmaking, but through his relentless and disruptive defence. The Atlanta Hawks guard is currently ranked second in the NBA for steals, averaging 2.4 per game, and leads the league in deflections, making him a constant threat to opposing offences and a valuable asset for his team. This defensive prowess has been instrumental in the Hawks’ strong performances, including their 121-116 win over the New York Knicks today. In today’s game against the…
READ MOREIn a major announcement, Tommy Greer, the foundation CEO of South East Melbourne Phoenix, has revealed his decision to resign after six successful seasons with the club. Greer, a pivotal figure in the Phoenix's establishment in 2018, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and fostering its rapid growth within the National Basketball League (NBL). Interestingly, this announcement follows closely after the recent release of head coach Mike Kelly, marking a significant period of transition for the club. Just three weeks ago, AussieHoopla ran…
READ MOREThe financial collapse of the Darwin Salties this week has all but closed the door on the possibility of an NBL expansion team based in the Northern Territory. Despite strong community support and government backing, the Salties have announced their withdrawal from the Queensland-based NBL1 North competition, citing unsustainable financial pressures. This development leaves the future of the club and the NT’s broader ambitions for professional sports in serious doubt. Founded in late 2021, the Salties quickly became a fan favourite, regularly filling stadiums and…
READ MOREMontrezl Harrell has officially committed to the Adelaide 36ers for the remainder of the NBL season. After a week of mounting speculation, Harrell’s agent, Darrell Comer of Tandem Sports & Entertainment, confirmed today that the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has extended his contract, ensuring he will stay with the 36ers through the end of the season. Since joining the team, Harrell has made an impact both on and off the court. He's averaging 15.7 points on 55.6% shooting, along with 10.3 rebounds…
READ MORENew Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena joins the podcast to break down the intricate details behind purchasing an NBL team and his vision for the club's future. As a lifelong Wildcats fan and successful tech entrepreneur, Arena shares insights into the business side of sports ownership and how he plans to elevate the Wildcats' brand, both locally and internationally. Visit dunk.com.au for your next set of basketball uniforms. In this episode, listeners will get an exclusive look into what it takes to acquire and manage…
READ MORENBL legend Mark Dalton, who played 17 seasons across five NBL teams, joins host Dan Boyce on the podcast to review the early performances of all ten NBL teams. Together, they explore each team's potential ceiling for the season and discuss the key challenges that could prevent them from reaching their full potential. With a career that included stints with the Canberra Cannons, Sydney Kings, Brisbane Bullets, and Wollongong Hawks, Dalton brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. His unique perspective highlights…
READ MORE