Thon Maker is a teenage basketball prodigy and a Sudanese refugee. And he’s about to put the NBA on the spot.
The hyped high school prospect made the stunning decision Sunday to apply to enter the NBA draft, instead of going to college for his mandatory one-and-done season or playing professionally overseas to bide his time. But the NBA must determine whether he is eligible — either creating a loophole to their cherished age-limit policy or rebuffing a unique hardship case.
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress breaks down Maker’s case:
The 19-year old Maker believes he has a strong case to be considered draft eligible, since he reportedly graduated high school in Canada in June of 2015, and is now technically in his fifth year of high school.
The official NBA collective bargaining agreement rule states that a player can be eligible for selection in the NBA Draft if “the player is or will be at least nineteen years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and, at least one NBA Season has elapsed since the player’s graduation from high school.”
Maker was born in South Sudan before moving to Australia. He was brought to the United States in eighth grade by his controversial guardian and handler, Ed Smith.
According to ESPN, Maker spent eighth grade at Metairie Park Country Day School (Louisiana) and ninth and 10th grade at Carlisle School (Virginia) before moving to Orangeville Prep in Canada.
Maker, a legit 7-footer with 3-point shooting range and guard-like ball-handling skills, was rated about the top five Class of 2016 college recruits. Though some question Maker’s NBA readiness, Draft Express projects him as a mid-second-round pick, and he could be stashed in the D-League to develop. Behind the scenes, Smith is widely suspected to be pushing for a pro pay day.
With Fox Sports
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