Derrick Walton Jr
April 26, 2023
Makur Maker
- Nationality: AUS/SSD
- Date of Birth: 4/11/00
- Place of Birth: Perth, WA
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 211
- Weight (KG): 107
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Howard (2020-2021)
- NBL DEBUT: 5/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 21
- LAST NBL GAME: 11/05/22
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 21
- NBL History: Sydney 2022
- Championships: 1
- Sydney (2022)
BIO: Makur Maker was born in Perth, WA.
FAMILY: Cousin of Australian Boomers player Thon Maker.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Makur Maker made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 21 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.
After finishing fifth with a 19-17 record and missing the playoffs, Sydney replaced Adam Forde (to Cairns) with first-year NBL head coach Chase Buford. Casper Ware (to Russia), Brad Newley (to Melbourne), Craig Moller (to Germany), Jarrad Weeks (to Tasmania), Didi Louzada (to New Orleans) and Daniel Kickert (retired) departed, while Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin and Dejan Vasiljevic returned as the team’s core.
Jaylen Adams (via Milwaukee), RJ Hunter (via Galatasaray), Biwali Bayles (via Hawaii), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth), Matur Maker (via G-League) and Makur Maker (via Howard) were added, with Maker returning to Australia under the NBL Next Stars program after his college season at Howard was cut short by COVID-19. “I couldn’t have landed in a better spot than the NBL Next Stars program as a member of a marquee club like the Sydney Kings,” said Maker. His preseason was interrupted by a low-grade ankle sprain suffered at training which kept him out of three NBL Blitz games, but he recovered in time for the regular season.
Maker made his NBL debut against defending champion Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5, where Maker (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) provided quality minutes off the bench as Sydney won 79-74. Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Martin (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Jo Lual-Acuil (12 points and 7 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best.
Maker (7.7 points and 5.3 rebounds across 21 games) played Sydney’s first five games before another ankle problem interrupted his rookie season. After last playing against Tasmania on December 22, Maker did not take the court on Boxing Day and was subsequently listed with left ankle bone soreness, later described as bone stress in his left ankle. The injury kept him out for 11 consecutive games through February 19. Maker was reintroduced to on-court basketball activities in February and was listed but did not play against Adelaide on February 27 while completing his return-to-play before returning against Cairns on March 6. He did not miss another game for the remainder of the season.
With Cooks unavailable through an ankle injury, Maker received his first NBL start against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on March 13 and responded with 5 points and 10 rebounds as Sydney won 86-77 for its seventh consecutive victory. Adams (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Martin (15 points and 4 rebounds) led the Kings, while Tahjere McCall (21 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) was Cairns’ best.
Maker’s best game of the season came against Perth at RAC Arena on March 26, where Maker (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made two three-pointers and helped Sydney demolish the Wildcats 102-80. Adams (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Ian Clark (19 points and 4 rebounds) helped the Kings build a 64-39 halftime lead and collect their ninth consecutive victory, while Luke Travers (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) was Perth’s best.
Maker produced his first NBL double-double against Cairns on April 21, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Kings won 87-77 despite two starters being unavailable through illness. Clark (21 points and 3 assists) and Cooks (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks) led Sydney, while McCall (22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) was Cairns’ best.
Maker appeared in the final eight victories of Sydney’s 13-game winning streak, which lifted the Kings from 5-7 to 18-7 before the run was stopped in April. Adams (20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) was named NBL MVP and selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Cooks (15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 31 games) earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Martin (15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds across 31 games), Clark (13.9 points across 16 games), Vasiljevic (12.4 points across 31 games) and Angus Glover (5.3 points across 30 games) provided Sydney’s other main contributions.
Sydney closed the regular season against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Maker (8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) started as Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Martin (13 points and 5 rebounds) helped keep the Kings close, but Justinian Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks to an 87-84 win. Sydney finished third with a 19-9 record.
Sydney opened the semifinals against Brian Goorjian’s Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre, where Maker (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) provided scoring off the bench as the Kings won 89-79. Adams (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Clark (16 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Cooks (11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) led Sydney, while Duop Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Antonius Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Illawarra’s best.
Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Maker (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) contributed as Sydney recovered from a 15-point deficit to defeat Illawarra 99-87 and complete the sweep. Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Martin (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Cooks (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led the Kings, while Tyler Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (14 points and 8 rebounds) led Illawarra.
A 6'10 play Maker.#NBL22 Grand Final series LIVE + FREE on ESPN vis Kayo Sports freebies 👀 pic.twitter.com/eANj6zksTc— The NBL (@NBL) May 6, 2022
Expansion Tasmania finished fourth with a 17-11 record, securing the final playoff place before upsetting first-placed defending champion Melbourne in three games to reach the Grand Final.
The Grand Final opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where Maker (7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) contributed off the bench as Sydney defeated Tasmania 95-78. Adams (18 points and 3 assists), Clark (17 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings, while Jack McVeigh (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Mikyle McIntosh (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Josh Adams (13 points and 8 rebounds) led Tasmania. Jaylen Adams suffered a low-grade left hamstring strain during the victory which ruled him out for the remainder of the series.
Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Maker (6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) contributed as Cooks (20 points and 11 rebounds), Martin (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) and Vasiljevic (20 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney without its MVP, while Josh Adams (36 points) starred for Tasmania. Vasiljevic hit a long three-pointer in the closing seconds to put Sydney four points ahead and secure a 90-86 victory, the Kings’ 12th consecutive road win and the most by any team during a single NBL season.
Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
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– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022
Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where Maker (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided an important lift off the bench as Sydney completed the sweep with a 97-88 victory in front of an NBL Grand Final record crowd of 16,149. Cooks (23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks), Martin (22 points, 17 rebounds, and 1 block) and Clark (22 points, 3 assists, and 1 block) led the Kings, while Josh Adams (27 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals), McIntosh (14 points and 8 rebounds) and Josh Magette (12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals) led Tasmania. Sydney won its fourth championship and first in 17 years, completed a perfect 5-0 postseason and collected its 19th victory from its final 21 games. Cooks was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 19 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across the series, while at 33 Buford became the fourth-youngest championship-winning coach in NBL history behind Bob Turner, Ken Richardson and Jim Ericksen, two of whom were player-coaches. Maker became the first NBL Next Stars player to win an NBL championship.
17 years in the making 💜💛#WeTheKings #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/Wz7uIGjTr6— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 14, 2022
Makur Maker played one season in the NBL. He averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 21 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 21 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 21 | 332.1 | 162 | 112 | 14 | 27 | 85 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 42 | 47 | 104 | 45% | 15 | 44 | 34% | 32 | 60 | 53% | 61% | 52% | 15 | Totals | 21 | 332 | 162 | 112 | 14 | 27 | 85 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 42 | 47 | 104 | 45.2% | 15 | 44 | 34.1% | 32 | 60 | 53.3% | 62% | 52% | 15 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 21 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 21 | 15.8 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 5.0 | 45% | 0.7 | 2.1 | 34% | 1.5 | 2.9 | 53% | 61% | 52% | 15 | Total | 21 | 15.8 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 5.0 | 45.2% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 34.1% | 0.7 | 2.1 | 53.3% | 62% | 52% | 15 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 15 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Maker went undrafted in 2021 but opted to train with former NBA guard Darren Collison in Los Angeles rather than return to college.
Played with the Chicago Bulls during the 2022 NBA Summer League. Maker registered 7.2 PPG and 3.4 RPG in five contests (12.0 MPG).
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- China - Liaoning Arctic Wolves (2023) | Saudi Arabia - Al-Ittihad Jeddah (2024–2025) | Libya - Al Ahli Tripoli (2025) | Lebanon - Sagesse Club (2025–2026) | Taiwan - Taipei Taishin Mars (2026)
Maker joined Liaoning Arctic Wolves for the 2023 Chinese NBL season in China, averaging 28.1 points and 11.2 rebounds in 32.8 minutes while helping the team reach the playoffs.
Maker joined Al-Ittihad Jeddah for the 2024–25 Saudi Basketball League season in Saudi Arabia after signing on September 9, 2024, and in FIBA WASL Gulf League play he averaged 16.3 points, 12.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists across nine games while ranking fourth in the competition in rebounds.
Maker joined Al Ahli Tripoli for the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Libya, averaging 13.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists across three games as the club won bronze and became the first African team to finish on the podium at the event.
Maker joined Sagesse Club for the 2025–26 Lebanese Basketball League season in Lebanon after signing on October 22, 2025, and averaged 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists across five league games while also averaging 11.0 points and 10.5 rebounds across two FIBA WASL West Asia League games.
Maker joined Taipei Taishin Mars for the 2025–26 Taiwan Professional Basketball League season in Taiwan after signing on January 16, 2026, and through 11 games he averaged 26.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 39.2 minutes.
COLLEGE
Makur Maker committed to play college basketball at Howard University in July 2020, becoming the highest-ranked recruit — a five-star prospect — to ever commit to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the modern recruiting era after choosing the Bison over offers from programs including UCLA, Kentucky and Memphis.
Maker entered the 2020–21 season listed as a freshman forward/center for the Howard Bison men’s basketball team, a squad competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) under head coach Kenny Blakeney, with the season disrupted by COVID-19 travel, scheduling and health challenges.
He was named to the MEAC Preseason All-Conference First Team entering the season, reflecting expectations for his impact in his debut collegiate campaign.
Maker’s 2020–21 collegiate playing debut came on November 26, 2020, when he logged 11 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes against Belmont, showcasing his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor early in games.
In his second and final college game on November 27, 2020, Maker scored 12 points and shot a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line in a matchup against Queens (N.C.), further highlighting his scoring touch and presence around the basket.
Across the two appearances he was able to make before injury, Maker averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in approximately 24 minutes per contest, demonstrating efficient scoring and rebounding in limited action.
Maker’s freshman season was curtailed by a groin injury suffered in preseason practice work, which limited his mobility and forced Howard to shut him down indefinitely after those two games as he worked toward recovery.
Shortly after his injury, the Howard Bison suspended their 2020–21 season entirely due to an abundance of COVID-19 cases within the program, further limiting opportunities for Maker and his teammates to compete that season.
Although his college playing career was brief, Maker’s decision to attend Howard garnered national attention and was widely discussed as a potential catalyst for future elite recruits considering HBCU programs as viable pathways, a narrative later explored in the documentary The Long Game: Bigger Than Basketball.
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