In a world where basketball dreams often seem distant and unattainable, Thon Maker’s journey reads like an inspiring novel. Maker and the Houston Rockets agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal on October 1, 2024. The move offers him a fresh start and an opportunity to revitalize his career. He played for the Al Riyadi Club Beirut and helped win their first WASL championship. In the final against Sagesse Maker, he achieved 35 points and 15 rebounds, which led to him being named the inaugural WASL MVP award winner too.

On June 15, Al Riyadi won the Basketball Champions League Asia for the 3rd time, crowning them as Asian continental champions. They named Thon Maker to the Tournament Top Five. As the Rockets, in a rebuilding phase, are banking on Maker’s unique skill set, his combination of size and shooting ability fits the modern NBA’s emphasis on versatility. Let’s find out who Thon Maker is!

From South Sudan to the USA- Thon Maker’s early life and introduction to basketball

Born on February 25, 1997, in Wau, South Sudan, the turmoil of the civil war, promoted Thon’s uncle, who was a local administrator, to help him, his younger brother Matur, and his aunt escape the war. They eventually found refuge in Uganda, and from there, they went to Perth, Australia. Although, his parents still live in South Sudan as descended from the Dinka people.

Relocating to Australia is what changed his life as it laid the foundation for his basketball journey. Edward Smith, an Australian with African-American roots, decided to help young Thon when he saw him playing soccer. Smith knew what he was doing, as it wasn’t the first time he was helping someone with an aspiring hoop. He was the reason behind other South Sudanese immigrants, Ater Majok and Mathiang Muo Majok and Mathiang Muo in basketball today.

Soon after noticing his potential, he offered to support the youngster’s education and basketball training. This led to an enrollment in the St. George Basketball Association. He excelled on the hardwood, where his talent was unbelievable.

This led Maker to the US for high school. He attended several schools in Louisiana before finally settling at Carlisle School in Virginia. In his freshman and sophomore years, impressive stats marked him. He averaged 22.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game. After which, he led Carlisle to a state championship, earning Gatorade Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors as a sophomore.

In September 2014, Maker and Matur enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario, Canada, where they both continued their development. Thon’s journey saw him battling not just opponents, but also the pressures of reclassifying his academic status. He announced his intention to reclassify into the 2015 class but later opted to remain in the 2016 class, ensuring he was prepared for the rigors of college basketball. The defining moment came in April 2016 when he declared for the NBA Draft after being deemed eligible.

Thon Maker’s leap from high school straight to the draft was a bold move, and it paid off; the Milwaukee Bucks selected him 10th overall, becoming the first high school player taken in the first round since the introduction of the ‘one-and-done’ rule.

From being a refuge to NBA fame!

Thon Maker’s debut season with the Bucks was a mix of promise and adversity. He showed flashes of brilliance during the 2016 NBA Summer League, averaging 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds. However, fluctuating minutes and roles characterized his first few seasons.

In March 2017, he scored a career-high 23 points against the Detroit Pistons, however, the Bucks struggled to find a consistent role for him amidst their growing lineup. He even participated in a playoff series against the Boston Celtics, but they ended up losing the 7-game battle. By January 2019, facing diminished playing time and feeling underutilized, Maker requested a trade.

Subsequently, the Bucks traded him to the Detroit Pistons, where he experienced moments of success, including a crucial tie-breaking three-pointer in a game against the Atlanta Hawks! However, his time in Detroit was brief, and he found himself on the move again.

A short stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers followed, but Maker struggled to find his footing, ultimately leading to his release. In 2021, he signed with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel but parted ways after a few months. Thon Maker’s journey had taken him from the NBA to the international circuit, but the fire within him remained ignited.

Thon Maker’s stats from his NBA career

Thon Maker’s challenging diet routine: 5000 calories!

One of the lesser-known aspects of Thon Maker’s career is his commitment to fitness and nutrition. In an old interview with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2016, he revealed his diet. He said, “We had to follow meals in schedule and there were breaks between classes where I had to fit in certain meals at that time, so I was really trying to gain. So I put on 27 pounds and then now you know I’m trying to get back on the same groove you know get stronger.

“I put the pressure on myself to force myself, to like it, and eventually, you’ll like it because it becomes part of your job. Like the NBA mentally you get an idea that oh it’s it can’t beat that so once you get in there you can fix anything so I’m looking forward to it,” Thon continued.

When asked about how many calories he consumes a day. He replied, ” I am trying to get 5,000 a day and I would say I usually fall just a little below there that. I try to aim to get higher than what I burn so I can gain. We have a good staff, with the Bucks. I’ve been with them for a while. 2 weeks is a long time you know to spend with people around every day. So I know they’ll figure out how much I am burning and how much I need to put back on”.

Thon Maker further emphasized his cheat day and what he likes to eat. “They allow me to cheat since I’m trying to get them. Allow me to cheat. Every hotel I have stayed in somehow has had cheesecake, so after I order a meal I got to have a little cheesecake with that they told me not to go too fast.”

He then went on to say, “Tried octopus the other day and they were like if I was going to sushi I haven’t tired sushi and they were like give it a year before trying you do not want to have too much seafood we don’t know what it would do. You’re here for the summer leagues, so give it a little bit of time”. 

Thon Maker’s journey from the war-torn streets of South Sudan to the bright lights of the NBA is a testament to his resilience and determination. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Rockets, there’s an air of optimism. His talent, work ethic, and diet equip him to contribute significantly, not just to his team, but also as a source of inspiration for those who’ve faced similar challenges.