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. had this to say about the talented big man:Įxtremely agile, athletic and gifted 7 footer that has limitless potential. The rare combination of size and skill that Thon possesses has NCAA coaches and NBA GMs giddy. He now holds offers from nearly every blue-blood college basketball program. Maker’s shooting ability and athleticism have had high-major D1 coaches knocking down his door for some time now. 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. The following season, Maker averaged 21.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 4.2 blocks. 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. Just before the team’s playoffs, however, Maker and Smith left the country to attend an elite basketball talent camp in Texas. George Basketball Association during 2011 where his combination of size and athleticism led him to be a dominant force on the court. Once arriving in Sydney, however, Thon played basketball for the St. At that time Thon was spending his time playing soccer, and had never played basketball a day in his life. 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. 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. 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. 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. Thon was born in what is now South Sudan. 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. 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.