Mabor Majak's DI Basketball journey motivated by family in South Sudan

FISHERS – Hamilton Southeastern’s Mabor Majak could be mistaken for an NBA player.

And although playing professional basketball is still just a dream, the 7’2″center is well on his way.

He’s committed to play at Cleveland State after arriving to the United States from South Sudan in 2015.

Unlike many high school teams impacted by the coronavirus, Majak and HSE’s basketball season ended in a competitive fashion.

The 2020 Indiana All-Star was averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds per game when the Royals fell in the first round of sectionals, finishing the season 16-5.

“We lost to Carmel, which was really sad,” Majak said. “I was looking forward to watching my friends play.”

Now Majak is focused on his next chapter playing for the Vikings, quite the accomplishment for someone who just moved across the world five years ago.

It’s also been just as long since Majak has seen his family still residing in South Sudan.

“Everyday that I am working I think of them. I want to someday provide for them,” he said. “I have the opportunity that some people don’t. It makes me push a little harder on myself.”

Majak also received interest from Indiana, Purdue, Bradley and Xavier.

He lives with guardians in Fishers, where he has access to an indoor basketball court daily.

“I’ve had some of my friends over and they come over and we run it up. Some of them are wheezing half way through,” Majak joked. “And I’m still going.”

Majak has come a long way physically, too, arriving to the U.S. weighing 160 pounds.

“Coming from where I am from, we don’t eat as much meat as we do over here,” he said. “From 2015 to 2020, I’ve put on about 70 pounds.”

Majak says he wants to earn a college degree so he could help others back home, especially his mother.

“She has seen my highlights on YouTube,” he said with a smile. “She understands that it’s for the best with me coming here.”