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Thon Maker is a professional basketball player who was born in Wau, South Sudan, and currently plays for the Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association. Maker and his family fled South Sudan due to the civil war and were accepted as refugees by Australia when he was five years old. He later moved to the United States, where he began his basketball career and was drafted into the NBA in 2016. Maker has represented Australia in international competitions such as the FIBA World Cup and the FIBA Asia Cup, winning a gold medal in 2022. He holds both Australian and South Sudanese citizenship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thon Marial Maker |
| Date of Birth | 25 February 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Wau, South Sudan |
| Citizenship | South Sudanese-Australian |
| Height | 7'0" (2.13m) |
| Weight | 230 lbs (104 kg) |
| Parents | Dinka people of South Sudan |
| Siblings | Matur Maker, Maker Maker |
| Current Team | Fujian Sturgeons |
| Position | Center |
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What You'll Learn
Thon Maker's early life in Australia
Thon Maker is an Australian-South Sudanese citizen. He was born in Wau, South Sudan, in 1997. Due to the conflict from the civil war, he fled the country along with his uncle, a local administrator, his younger brother, Matur, and his aunt. They escaped to Uganda, from where they were accepted as refugees by Australia. Maker moved to Perth, Western Australia, at the age of five and settled there.
When he was 14, Maker was discovered playing soccer in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka by Edward Smith, an Australian of African-American heritage. Smith, who had previously helped other Sudanese immigrants become professional basketball players, offered to move Maker to Sydney to play for the St. George Basketball Association. In 2011, Maker and Smith moved to the United States, where Maker began playing basketball for Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. In 2013-14, he earned Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year honours and led the school to a state championship.
Maker attended high school at Orangeville District Secondary School in Ontario, Canada, and played basketball for Canada's Athlete Institute. In April 2015, he declared his intentions to play for the Australian national team, and on 29 June 2018, he made his international debut for Australia in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Japan. Maker has since represented Australia in several FIBA competitions, including the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he helped the Australian Boomers win a gold medal.
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Maker's career in the NBA
Thon Maker is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player. He was born in Wau, South Sudan, but fled the country due to the civil war when he was just five years old. Maker and his family were accepted as refugees by Australia and settled in Perth, Western Australia.
Maker's basketball journey began when he was 14 years old. He was discovered playing soccer in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka by Edward Smith, a coach who had previously helped other Sudanese immigrants become professional basketball players. Smith offered to move Maker to Sydney, where he played for the St. George Basketball Association in 2011. Maker then moved to the United States and began playing basketball for Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. During his time at Carlisle, he excelled, averaging 22.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 4.5 blocks over 53 games. He also led the school to a state championship, earning Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year honours in 2013-2014.
In 2014, Maker enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario, Canada, where he continued to showcase his talent for basketball. He participated in the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit, playing alongside fellow Australian Ben Simmons and recording 10 rebounds, two points, and one block in a victory over Team USA. Maker's performance gained the attention of several top colleges, including Arizona State, Florida State, and Indiana. He ultimately decided to remain in high school for another year and returned to Orangeville Prep for the 2015-2016 season.
Maker's hard work paid off, and in 2016, he was selected with the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the first high school player taken in the first round since 2005. He made his NBA debut on October 30, 2016, against the Detroit Pistons, recording one rebound. Despite playing limited minutes, Maker remained a starter for the Bucks until they were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Toronto Raptors. On March 31, 2017, he scored a career-high 23 points in a victory over the Pistons.
Between 2016 and 2021, Maker played for three different NBA teams. After his time with the Bucks, he signed with the Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League in 2021. He then joined the Long Island Nets in 2022 and the Fujian Sturgeons later that same year. In 2024, Maker signed with the Al Riyadi Club Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League, helping the team win their first WASL championship and the Basketball Champions League Asia title. Maker's success in Lebanon earned him the inaugural WASL MVP award.
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Maker's career outside of the NBA
Thon Maker, the Sudanese-born Australian professional basketball player, has had a notable career both within and outside the NBA. While his time in the NBA has been well-documented, Maker's journey and impact on the sport extend beyond this league.
Maker's story begins in Sudan, where he was born, but at the age of five, he and his family relocated to Australia to escape the civil war in their home country. It was in Australia where Maker first started playing basketball, and his talent was quickly recognized. He joined the Australian Institute of Sport, a prestigious sports training institute, and represented Australia in international competitions. In 2015, Maker moved to the United States to finish his high school education and played for high school basketball powerhouses such as Carlisle School and Orangeville Preparatory School. His performance in high school garnered attention from colleges and universities, but Maker decided to forgo college and declared for the NBA draft.
However, Maker's time outside of the NBA is equally noteworthy. One of his most significant contributions was his involvement with the Australian national team, known as the Boomers. Maker first represented Australia in the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, where he helped the team secure a third-place finish, earning a spot in the All-Star Five and being named the tournament's top scorer. This performance cemented his place as a rising star in Australian basketball. In 2016, Maker expressed his intention to join the Boomers for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but he ultimately did not make the final cut for the team. Despite this setback, Maker remained committed to representing Australia and was selected for the Boomers' squad for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. Unfortunately, due to injury, he had to withdraw from the team, missing out on the Boomers' historic fourth-place finish.
In addition to his involvement with the national team, Maker has also made an impact through his contributions to the development of basketball in Australia. He has been an active participant in various basketball camps and clinics, sharing his knowledge and experience with young, aspiring players. Maker's presence and engagement in these programs have inspired a new generation of Australian basketball players and contributed to the sport's growing popularity in the country. His influence extends beyond the court, as he has also been an advocate for various social causes. Maker has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for issues close to his heart, including the civil war in South Sudan and the resulting refugee crisis.
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Maker's international career for Australia
Thon Maker is a South Sudanese-born Australian professional basketball player. He was born in Wau, South Sudan, and moved to Perth, Australia, at the age of five as a refugee. Maker made his international debut for Australia in 2018, representing the country in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Japan.
In 2022, Maker represented Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. He helped the Australian Boomers secure a gold medal at the tournament and was named to the All-Star Five. Maker was also a member of the Australian Boomers extended squad in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, he was not selected for the final squad that participated in the tournament.
Maker has also represented Australia in other international competitions. In 2015, he participated in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, playing alongside fellow Australian Ben Simmons. Maker recorded 10 rebounds, two points, and one block, contributing to the World Team's victory over Team USA.
Throughout his career, Maker has played for various NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, becoming the first high school player chosen in the first round since 2005. Despite facing concerns about his age, he successfully proved his graduation and joined the NBA, showcasing his exceptional athletic abilities.
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Maker's family and heritage
Thon Maker, born on 25 February 1997, is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player. He was born in Wau, South Sudan, but had to flee the country due to the civil war. Maker's parents, who descend from the Dinka people, still live in South Sudan and are both very tall; his father stands at 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) and his mother at 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in). Maker holds both Australian and South Sudanese citizenship.
Maker's uncle, a local administrator, helped Maker, his younger brother Matur, and his aunt escape to Uganda. From there, they were accepted as refugees by Australia and moved to Perth, Western Australia, when Maker was five years old. Maker's brother, Matur Maker, has played basketball for the NBL and attempted to enter the 2018 NBA draft. Another brother, Maker Maker, plays soccer for Dandenong Thunder SC and previously played in Spain and Lithuania. Maker also has a cousin, Makur, who plays basketball in the NBA G League, and another cousin, Aliir Aliir, who plays in the Australian Football League for Port Adelaide.
Maker was discovered playing soccer in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka at the age of 14 by Edward Smith, an Australian of African-American heritage who helped children from migrant backgrounds become professional athletes. Smith offered to move Maker to Sydney to play for the St. George Basketball Association. In 2011, Maker and Smith moved to the United States, and Maker began playing basketball for Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. Maker and his brother later enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario, where Smith was an assistant coach, and they also enrolled at Orangeville District Secondary School in the nearby town of Orangeville.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Thon Maker is an Australian and South Sudanese citizen. He was born in Wau, South Sudan, but fled the country due to the civil war and was accepted as a refugee by Australia. He moved to Perth, Western Australia, with his family when he was five years old.
Thon Maker started playing basketball at the age of 14 when he was discovered by a local basketball coach, Ed Smith, in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka. Smith helped him move to Sydney and play for the St. George Basketball Association.
Thon Maker is 7 feet tall (2.13 meters) without shoes. He was measured as the third-tallest player at the 2016 NBA Draft Combine.
Thon Maker has played for several NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has also played for international teams such as the Fujian Sturgeons in China and Al Riyadi Club Beirut in Lebanon.
Yes, Thon Maker has represented Australia in international competitions such as the FIBA World Cup and the FIBA Asia Cup. He made his international debut for Australia in a FIBA World Cup qualifier against Japan in 2018.
