Matur Maker

This article is about the professional basketball player. For his cousin, see Makur Maker.

Matur Maker
Maker with Orangeville Prep in November 2014
Al-Ahli Jeddah
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueSaudi Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26)
Sudan (now South Sudan)
NationalityAustralian / South Sudanese
Listed height208 cm (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight95 kg (209 lb)
Career information
High school
NBA draft2019: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018Union Neuchâtel
2018–2019Zlatorog Laško
2019–2020Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2021–2022Sydney Kings
2022Canterbury Rams
2023Nelson Giants
2024Taipei Fubon Braves
2024Rockhampton Rockets
2024–presentAl-Ahli Jeddah
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Matur Marial Maker (born 1 January 1998)[1] is a South Sudanese-born Australian basketball player for Al-Ahli Jeddah of the Saudi Basketball League. He moved to Australia in his childhood and played for various prep schools in Canada and the United States, before forgoing college basketball. He won an NBL championship with the Sydney Kings in 2022.

Early life

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Maker was born in what is now known as South Sudan on 1 January 1998 with his older brother Thon Maker.[2][3] In Matur's early childhood, his uncle, a local administrator, helped the family flee to Uganda amid a civil war in their home country.[4] They then settled in Perth, Western Australia as refugees when Maker was four years of age but continued making occasional visits to South Sudan.[5][6] Matur first started playing soccer at Grayhounds soccer club, a club where many south Sudanese kids played for and alongside his brother Thon. At age 13, Matur was discovered by basketball scout Edward Smith and began living with him in Sydney, before moving to the United States.[5][7] After his parents were satisfied by the decision, Matur was allowed to join his brother in high school and Smith eventually became their legal guardian.[5]

High school career

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Maker began playing high school basketball as a freshman at Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia, where he joined Thon, a sophomore, in the middle of the season.[8][9] His guardian Edward Smith, who the brothers lived with in a two-storey house, was an assistant coach for the team at the time.[8][10] According to Smith, Matur's arrival at Carlisle helped Thon better acclimate to the United States.[8] During his freshman season, Matur was considered one of the best high school players in the country at the small forward position.[11] He helped Carlisle win a state championship and played with Team Loaded VA of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).[12]

For his sophomore year, Maker transferred from Carlisle, with Hopewell Academy in Cary, North Carolina and Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario as potential destinations.[11] In September 2014, Maker and his brother enrolled at Orangeville Prep, where they played under head coach Larry Blunt and with fellow top prospect Jamal Murray.[12] He was named Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) second-team all-star.[13]

In 2016–17, Maker moved to The Tech Academy in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he was coached by his guardian Edward Smith and became teammates with cousin Makur Makur.[14] With the Milwaukee Bucks having selected Thon at the 2016 NBA draft, the transfer allowed Matur to live closer to his brother.[13] In April 2017, Maker competed in the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game in Toronto, where he was named most valuable player.[15] In the game, he recorded 25 points and six rebounds, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, playing only 12 minutes.[16] At an adidas Nations event in August, he averaged 26 points and seven rebounds for the Asia Pacific team.[17]

Maker played a postgraduate season of basketball at Mississauga Prep in Mississauga, Ontario for 2017–18.[17] By 2018, he was averaging 25.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals.[18] On 5 January 2018, Maker declared intentions to bypass college and enter the 2018 NBA draft, attempting to follow a similar path as his brother in 2016.[17][19] He drew attention from scouts on 11 January, when he notched 45 points, 20 rebounds, two blocks and three steals in a 95–85 defeat to GTA Prep.[18] However, due to a lack of attention on his name during the 2018 NBA draft process, he withdrew his name from the 2018 NBA draft on the 11 June international deadline.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Matur Maker
PF 		Orangeville, ON Mississauga Prep (ON) 6 ft 9.7 in (2.08 m) 193.3 lb (87.7 kg) — 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 155, 39 (PF)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.

Professional career

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Union Neuchâtel (2018)

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On 7 August 2018, Maker signed with Union Neuchâtel of the Swiss Basketball League.[20] In four games, he averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.[21]

Zlatorog Laško (2018–2019)

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On 30 December 2018, Maker signed with Zlatorog Laško of the Slovenian Basketball League. Maker played 17 games with Zlatorog and averaged 13 ppg, 10 rpg and lead his team to the playoffs.[22]

Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2019–2020)

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On 19 October 2019, Maker signed with the Houston Rockets of the NBA,[23] but was waived the next day.[24] Following this, Maker was added to the roster of the Rockets' NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[25]

Sydney Kings (2021–2022)

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Maker joined the Denver Nuggets for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[26]

On 27 August 2021, Maker signed with the Sydney Kings for the 2021–22 NBL season.[27]

Canterbury Rams (2022)

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In May 2022, Maker played three games with the Canterbury Rams during the 2022 New Zealand NBL season.[28][29]

Nelson Giants (2023)

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On 4 April 2023, Maker signed with the Nelson Giants for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.[30]

Taipei Fubon Braves (2024)

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In March 2024, Maker had a one-game stint with Taipei Fubon Braves of the P. League+.[31][32][33]

Rockhampton Rockets (2024)

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In April 2024, Maker joined the Rockhampton Rockets of the NBL1 North.[29] He was named to the NBL1 North Second Team.[34]

Al-Ahli Jeddah (2024–present)

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In August 2024, Maker signed with Al-Ahli Jeddah of the Saudi Basketball League.[35]

Personal life

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Maker's parents, who descend from the Dinka people, still live in South Sudan[36] and are also both very tall; his father stands 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) and his mother stands 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in).[37] His brother, Thon Maker, was drafted at pick 10 in the 2016 NBA draft. Another brother, Maker Maker, plays soccer for South Melbourne FC's under-20 team.[38] He has a cousin, Makur, who currently plays basketball for Capital City Go-Go, after having previously played for Howard University.[39] Another cousin, Aliir Aliir, plays in the Australian Football League for Port Adelaide.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Matur Marial MAKER". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  2. ^ Campbell, Morgan (11 January 2018). "Matur Maker hopes to follow brother Thon straight to the NBA". Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Matur Maker". NBADraft.net. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  4. ^ Uluc, Olgun (8 August 2017). "NBA scouts impressed by Matur Maker, the younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks big man Thon Maker". The West Australian. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Bozich, Alex (21 May 2014). "'Best basketball ahead' for 2017's Matur Maker". InsideTheHall.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  6. ^ Sygall, David (11 August 2013). "Refugees escaping war are aiming for the stars". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  7. ^ Croy, Liam (23 June 2016). "Mirrabooka schoolboy Thon Maker to play in the NBA". The West Australian. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Halley, Jim (27 April 2015). "Jordan Classic: Matur Maker a big part of brother Thon's possible reclassifcation decision". USATodayHSS.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  9. ^ Daniels, Evan (5 January 2018). "Matur Maker, Thon's brother, will bypass college to go pro". 247Sports.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  10. ^ Mannix, Chris (14 April 2014). "Maker's Lark". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  11. ^ a b Gretschel, Johanna (3 September 2014). "Former local player, top national prospect Thon Maker to transfer". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  12. ^ a b Wolstat, Ryan (4 September 2014). "World's top basketball prospect Canada-bound". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  13. ^ a b Ebner, David (2 September 2016). "Choosing Canada: The rapidly changing landscape of elite teenage basketball". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Thon Maker's 6-11 cousin joins Prolific Prep North in Canada". USATodayHSS.com. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  15. ^ Kent, Austin (11 April 2017). "2017 BioSteel All Canadian Basketball Game Top Performers". Slam. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Matur Maker Game Logs". RealGM. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  17. ^ a b c Borzello, Jeff (5 January 2018). "Matur Maker to skip college, enter NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  18. ^ a b Zagoria, Adam (5 January 2018). "Matur Maker hoping to follow older brother Thon Maker's prep-to-pros route to the NBA". ZagsBlog.com. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  19. ^ Nathan, Alec (5 January 2018). "Thon Maker's Brother Matur to Skip College, Apply for 2018 NBA Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Matur Maker signs with Union Neuchatel". Sportando. 7 August 2018. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Matur Maker Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Matur Maker (ex Neuchatel) agreed terms with Zlatorog". Eurobasket.com. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  23. ^ "Official Roster Updates: The Rockets have waived guard Michael Frazier and forward Jaron Blossomgame. The team has signed free agent forward Matur Maker". Houston Rockets on Twitter. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  24. ^ "Rockets Waive Ray Spalding, Two Others". Hoops Rumors. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  25. ^ "VIPERS FINALIZE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Denver Nuggets 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Roster". NBA. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Sydney Complete Roster with Matur Maker". NBL.com.au. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  28. ^ "PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT". facebook.com/CanterburyRams. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Matur Maker". australiabasket.com. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  30. ^ "MATUR MAKER SIGNS FOR 2023". facebook.com/nelsongiants. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  31. ^ "臺北富邦勇士正式簽約洋將梅克(Matur Maker)". P.LEAGUE+. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  32. ^ "PLG》富邦一口氣釋出兩位洋將 簽下前T1聯盟洋將補禁區戰力". The Liberty Times. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  33. ^ "MAKER,MATUR MARIAL". P.LEAGUE+. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  34. ^ "NBL1 North Men's Second Team". facebook.com/basketballqld. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Al Ahli sign a second import player, ex Rockhampton R." australiabasket.com. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  36. ^ Sygall, David (11 August 2013). "Refugees escaping war are aiming for the stars". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  37. ^ Bednall, Jai (22 October 2014). "Thon Maker, Australian basketball prospect, is a 7-footer that plays like a guard". News.com.au. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  38. ^ Stamocostas, Con (1 July 2016). "Young star not desiring to emulate brother". FourFourTwo.com. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  39. ^ "Makur Maker - Men's Basketball". Howard University Athletics. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  40. ^ Horne, Ben (28 June 2016). "Aliir Aliir and Thon Maker revealed to be cousins as both chase their sporting dreams". DailyTelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
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