NBA Draft: Thon Maker's journey from South Sudan to Milwaukee Bucks shaped in Perth

Details: Written/Submitted by External Source; Category: South Sudan & African News From Various Sources; Published: 25 June 2016; Hits: 3810

Photo: Thon Maker is congratulated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted. (Getty Images: Mike Stobe) ^[1]

From escaping civil war as a refugee to becoming a high NBA draft pick, Sudan-born Australian teenager Thon Maker has turned a dream into reality.

Maker, 19, is the first player in more than a decade to jump straight from high school to the NBA, after the Milwaukee Bucks sprang a surprise and took Maker at pick number 10 ^[2] in the 2016 draft.

"I'm not satisfied, but it's satisfying that I'm able to get through the door ... it's amazing, I just can't wait," he said on Friday after being handed a Bucks cap.

Maker had to flee with family from war-torn Sudan when he was five to live in Perth, although his parents remained in what is now South Sudan.

While he eventually relocated to Sydney in 2011 to pursue his basketball career, his silky skills were developed in Perth at Herb Graham Recreational Centre, a gymnasium in the multicultural suburb of Mirrabooka.

His sister Ajak spoke fondly of their time in Western Australia.

"Perth is our city. We enjoy Perth," she said.

After moving to the US and then to Canada to seize his opportunities, Maker sparked a recruitment frenzy among college basketball programs ^[3] in 2015 when he announced he would leave high school early.

However he declared his intention to enter the 2016 draft in April ^[4], with his legal guardian Edward Smith saying they believed Maker was eligible.

The NBA requires players to be one year removed from high school and at least 19 years old to be taken in the draft.

Ajak Maker said it was her brother's childhood dream to play in the NBA.

"[He is] a good person, he's a hard worker when he wants to do something. He doesn't give up on whatever he wants to do," she said.

Maker is in line to earn more than $3,000,000 per year on his rookie contract, but his sister did not think money would change her brother, saying she believed he would "help his family and friends with whatever they need".

She said without the move to Australia, he would never have gotten the opportunity now granted to him by the Bucks.

Maker, a power forward or centre who stands a lanky 7'1" and has a 222 cm wingspan, burst on to the basketball scene when a mix tape of his abilities went viral on YouTube.

His athleticism, length and quickness offer him the tools to be a threat on both ends of the court.

Maker has been described as a promising rebounder, defender and shooter who can also handle the ball, something which is rare for players his height. He has said he sees himself as a modern version of Kevin Garnett.

One of his junior coaches in Sydney reacted to the draft news by saying he was "overwhelmed with excitement".

"I've always told everyone he's got to make top 10. I knew he could make it, he was special," coach of the St George basketball program Con Angelis said.

On the eve of the draft, reports suggesting there were concerns Maker may have been older than believed swirled on several sports websites, including Bleacher Report.

Ajak Maker dismissed the rumours, maintaining her brother was 19-years-old. And despite the queries, the Bucks were adamant he was the right choice.

Maker will wear number 7 in his first year in Milwaukee. While he still has plenty of work to do if he is to receive any significant court time in his rookie year, he believes the sky is the limit.

"I feel like I'm ready because I trust my game," he said.