hoopmanx wrote:Aussies are really developing kids right now. I was taking a look at their national roster moving forward and it's dangerous. adding kids like Exum and Simmons is gonna help. I'm not sure where Maker fits in
Maker is an Australian citizen and technically eligible to play for their national team. He has said that he wants to play for Australia in the Olympics, but made no move to participate in their program. As far as I know, he hasn't been back to Australia in a couple of years. This is just my impression, but it seems like his "guardian" calls all the shots for Thon and his little brother, and that means they play in alot of tournaments sponsored by Adidas. Just my impression.
For those who dont know who we're talking about, Thon Maker is a 7'1" kid who's game is being compared to Kevin Durant. He's very well traveled. He was born in Sudan, but the family emigrated to Australia to escape the civil war in Africa, and they became Australian citizens. Thon was spotted by a basketball coach who became his "Guardian" and they moved to the US, he's gone to schools in New Orleans and Virginia, and now he's living in Canada. He played for awhile at Canada's Athletic Institute (not sure if that's a school, or not, but his Guardian coaches there,) and now he's at Orangeville Prep. He tried and failed to get reclassified into the 2015 class, and is now one of the top recruits in class of 2016. He'll be a one and done college player, he's already stated he doesnt care about college, the NBA is where he's headed. He'd be a lottery pick right now, if he were eligible for the draft.
He's said he wants to play for Australia's Olympic team, and I'm sure they'd be happy to have him, but he hasnt made any effort to actually participate with their national team.
