Makur Maker on committing to Howard: ‘Everybody gotta take a stand’

Maker said this week that his decision to attend Howard University was heavily influenced by the current racial climate in the U.S.

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Five-star prospect Makur Maker last week became the highest-ranked recruit to commit to a historically Black college or university when he announced he would be attending Howard University.

Maker chose Howard University over the likes of Kentucky, UCLA and Memphis after visiting the program last October. The move by Maker to commit to Howard is the first of its kind and is one he hopes to pave the way for future prospects.

“I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow,” Maker said on Twitter. “I hope I inspire guys like Mikey Williams to join me on this journey.”

The idea of committing to play at an HBCU has gained traction in recent weeks following the Black Lives Matter movement. Williams, the top prospect in 2023, said last month that attending an HBCU would be in consideration when he makes his recruiting decision.

Following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others, Maker said on the “ESPN Daily” podcast with Pablo S. Torre that his decision was heavily influenced by the current racial climate in the United States.

We gotta lead; everybody gotta lead. Everybody gotta take a stand and do something. If I’m doing this, it’s going to bring awareness to the choices that we have to make. As top recruits, we have to make choices that are responsible and to better our community and everything that is going on in this country today definitely had a big impact on it.

The 6-foot-11 prospect is considered to be an above-average playmaker for his size given his ability to handle the ball and get out in transition. Maker averaged 14.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and one block in 26 minutes per game last summer on his AAU team, Dream Vision.

Maker committing to play at an HBCU will help generate massive interest and revenue in the Black community and would likely help enable programs in the future the opportunity to land the top prospects.

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