Tag: Makur Maker

NBA combine invitations suggest who could be heading back to the NCAA

We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.

We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.

While there is nothing final about our projections, now that those lists are finalized we know the names of the most notable players who have declared for the draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility.

These prospects, who are all classified as “testing the waters” at this point, are the ones facing the toughest decision for their pro future but may have more clarity now than they did during the college basketball season.

Report: Howard center Makur Maker declares for 2021 NBA draft

Howard University center Makur Maker, the cousin of Thon Maker, has reportedly declared for the 2021 NBA draft.

Howard University center Makur Maker, the cousin of Thon Maker, has reportedly declared for the 2021 NBA draft, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Maker, who became the highest-ranked player to commit to a historically Black college or university, will not sign with an agent in order to leave the door open on the possibility of returning to school next season.

The 6-foot-11 product from Sudan played in just two games with Howard last season, averaging 11.5 points, six rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot. The Bison played just five games prior to shutting down their season due to issues related to the coronavirus.

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Maker is considered to be an above-average playmaker for his size given his ability to handle the ball and get out in transition. He averaged 14.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and one block in 26 minutes per game in 2019 on his AAU team, Dream Vision.

The five-star prospect chose Howard University over the likes of Kentucky, UCLA and Memphis after visiting the program in October 2019. The move by Maker to commit to Howard is the first of its kind and could create a new movement among future prospects.

Prospects who wish to return to college next season have until July 7 to withdraw from the NBA draft and maintain their eligibility.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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2021 aggregate NBA mock draft 2.0: How has the NCAA season changed rankings?

Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.

Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.

Former top recruits like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs have made a great first impression and have confirmed why many already feel they are going to be solid future professionals in the NBA.

Of course, considering the unusual nature of the college basketball season, some players are struggling a bit more than others. The performance on the court will likely stray closer to the mean with a larger sample size as the year continues.

But to get a better sense of where everyone stands right now, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, The Athletic and USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win to see where the prospects rank at the moment.

We highlighted the prospects who have been the biggest risers since we published our last edition of this exercise.

College basketball standouts who have most drastically improved their draft stock through the early parts of the season include Keon Johnson (Tennessee), James Bouknight (UCONN), Jared Butler (Baylor), Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), Day’Ron Sharpe (UNC), Aaron Henry (Michigan State), Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), Marcus Bagley (Arizona State), Moussa Cisse (Memphis), Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky), Jason Preston (Ohio) and Luka Garza (Iowa).

Below are the rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts:

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Chris Bosh: I was a freshman when Tim …

Chris Bosh: I was a freshman when Tim Duncan won a championship in his second season. Watching someone weaponize the fundamentals the way he did—earning his nickname in the process—made me realize how much I needed to work on my own. The summer TD brought home his first title, I was in Dallas, working with Kenny Blakeney and Thomas Hill on my fundamentals in any gym we could find. Kenny, who’s about to start coaching Makur Maker at Howard, helped expand my very idea of what the fundamentals could be. Sure, I learned the Triple Threat that summer. But I also came to understand that if I wanted to devote my life to basketball, I’d need to rely on my mind as much as my body.

76ers’ Kyle O’Quinn on Makur Maker: ‘I think he can start something’

O’Quinn, who attended Norfolk State, believes Maker can start a new movement of high-profile prospects attending HBCU programs.

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Philadelphia 76ers center Kyle O’Quinn said Saturday that he believes five-star prospect Makur Maker can start a new movement among high-profile recruits following his decision to play at a historically Black college.

Maker this month became the highest-ranked recruit to commit to a historically Black college or university when he announced he would be attending Howard University. He chose Howard University over the likes of Kentucky, UCLA and Memphis after visiting the program last year.

O’Quinn, who attended Norfolk State from 2008 to 2012, advocated for players to attend HBCU programs. He said he loved his time with the university and commended Maker for choosing Howard University.

I would always say everybody should go to an HBCU. I think HBCU’s are better than Duke, North Carolina and you name it. I went to one, I had a great time, but I think with the time’s changing now I think HBCU’s have a responsibility to put themselves in the competition in the talks with the other big schools. We have to answer the call too.

I like his courage to take that chance and go to a small university when he had other schools on his list. I think he can start something especially if he’s a success story and guys like myself and everybody else who’s been through it are cheering for him and we hope nothing but the best.

The idea of committing to play at an HBCU has gained traction in recent weeks following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others. Maker said the current racial climate in the United States heavily influenced his decision to attend Howard.

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.

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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Makur Maker says LaMelo Ball impacted decision to commit to Howard

After committing to Howard University in a landmark decision, Makur Maker revealed how LaMelo Ball impacted his choice to attend an HBCU.

Makur Maker, the younger brother of Thon Maker and a top-20 prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, made a landmark decision last week by committing to Howard University. Maker becomes the first top recruit to play at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in over three decades.

Interestingly, Maker has followed LaMelo Ball’s path since the moment he left for the NBL. Maker himself considered following Ball and RJ Hampton to Australia as he kept all options open during his recruitment.

In the wake of his commitment, Maker noted that Ball’s decision to compete in Australia played a part in his decision.

“I figured if LaMelo Ball could go to Australia, play in facilities like that, and still be considered a top NBA prospect, why not Howard?”

Maker’s decision is yet another example of prospects not taking the traditional route to the NBA. On top of Ball and Hampton last season, Jalen Green created his own path through the NBA G League next season along with Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd.

The biggest factor in this, though, is that Ball was able to not only maintain his status as a prospect but increase his draft stock while playing in the NBL. Fellow prospects seeing that likely played a role in their decision-making in recent months leading to all the unique paths taken.

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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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See the amazing highlight reel of Makur Maker, the top recruit headed to Howard

Makur Maker is going to be a star.

6-foot-11 big man Makur Maker, ranked 16 among all college basketball prospects in his class by ESPN, is turning down offers to go to college basketball blueblood programs like Kentucky and UCLA to attend Howard University. Maker announced his decision on Twitter, and became the highest-ranked recruit to choose a historically black college or university (HBCU) in the modern era.

ESPN reported in April that the 19-year-old, who was born in Kenya and grew up in Australia before coming to the U.S., was entering the 2020 NBA Draft. The draft has been obviously been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and Makur has instead chosen to play for Howard – a program that definitely needs his star power. Howard went 4-29 last season after a 17-17 season the previous year.

View this post on Instagram

Committed Howard U. Let’s get it!! ❤️💙

A post shared by Makur Maker (@makurmaker1) on

Makur is the cousin of Pistons big man Thon Maker, who went directly from high school to the NBA in 2016 and was the 10th overall pick that year. Makur is one inch shorter than Thon, at 6-foot-11, but has versatility in his game that makes him a fascinating prospect. With impressive ball-handling skills and shooting range, Maker has the potential to dominate the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at Howard.

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Ahead of Chris Paul’s docuseries, Makur Maker commits to HBCU Howard

Makur Maker became one of the few elite prospects to commit to and HBCU, and did so days after Chris Paul’s docuseries was announced.

Makur Maker, an elite high school prospect who initially declared for the NBA Draft, has taken a step to try to spark a movement.

Maker announced his commitment to Howard University, a historically Black university, early Friday morning.

Few top prospects go the route of an HBCU; only two active NBA players attended one. Maker hopes his decision encourages more athletes to follow him.

“I was the 1st to announce my visit to Howard & other started to dream “what if,” he wrote in a post to Twitter. “I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow.”

This comes on the heels of an announcement that Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul is helping produce a docuseries about the recruiting struggles HBCUs go through.

“HBCUs historically have been at a competitive disadvantage with their basketball programs facing many challenges with funding, recruitment, misperceptions, and exposure,” Paul said in a statement to Deadline.

“With the current racial awakening in our country prompting young athletes to look at where they play, it’s now more important than ever to shine a light on HBCUs and showcase their value in sports and society.”

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Maker is a five-star center on 247Sports’ rankings. He has modern feel to his game, showing the ability to serve as a playmaker at the top of the arc with decent handles and passing, particularly for a player listed at 6-foot-11, but must add bulk to his 235-pound build to match up against the bigs in the NBA.

He was granted eligibility for the 2020 NBA Draft after appealing the league last year, but has elected to attend Howard instead.

Maker hopes more elite athletes will follow him down the HBCU route soon. He specifically called for Mikey Williams in his tweet.

Williams is a five-star 2023 guard on ESPN’s rankings (247Sports hasn’t posted incoming sophomore rankings as of Thursday). He has become well-known among high school basketball enthusiasts online for his dunking prowess and scoring ability, and he scored 77 points in one game as a freshman.

Williams quote-tweeted Maker’s announcement with “let’s shock the world,” and also posted a screenshot of Maker’s Instagram post to Twitter.