Younger Maker earns chance to shine at the top level

TEENAGE Australian Makur Maker could join his cousin, Boomers centre Thon Maker, in the NBA this year.

ESPN reported yesterday that 19-year-old Maker can apply for the draft as an earlyentry candidate.

Nick Weaver, Maker’s coach at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, said that the 2.11m tall centre was indeed eligible for the draft.

“We are very excited for Makur and his family,” Weaver told si.com. “We are glad he is able to pursue his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA.”

In 2016, Thon Maker was the first player to jump from high school to the NBA in more than 10 years, being taken No.10 by Milwaukee. The Boomers centre was traded to the Detroit Pistons in February 2019 and is in his fifth year in the league.

Makur Maker meets the age requirements of the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association for draft eligibility.

“We are excited about the opportunity, I think that he’s deserving,” Maker’s guardian Ed Smith said.

He said Maker has not made a decision regarding the NBA draft yet and will keep his name in the draft only if he is a projected lottery pick.

Maker will have opportunities to prove himself in front of

NBA teams in April at the Iverson Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.

In 12 games this season, he averaged 17.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game for the Bruins.

It’s unclear where Maker projects in the 2020 draft but some projections have him in the late second round.