(2016) C Thon Maker

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,765]

No offense directly to Thon but with the handler, etc... Crooked KU seems like the perfect fit. Won't be surprised if he ends up there.

Diallo, Alexander, and countless others.

@AdamZagoria: Thon Maker wants to takes officials to Kansas, Arizona State, Notre Dame so far https://t.co/kk0zfIGmV5 via @adamzagoria

Would still love to have him here... Just say'n

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Saw an interview with Thon on ESPN's site. Nothing new---he's waiting---he read through his list---including IU. I think Kansas will be our stiffest competition.  They usually end up with a ton of 5 stars and underachieve in the tourney. We were in on him and his brother early. I have to hope that helps.

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,765]

Maybe not too new.

ASU gets first official.

ASU, Indiana, ND quoted as working hardest.

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Jeff Rabjohns @JeffRabjohns
Thon Maker 32 points, Nikola Diogo 16, Donta Mitchell 13, Matur Maker 12 for @AI_Academy in a 95-63 win tonight.

[Kepner 1,261]

A great part of the newest interview with Ed Smith is he and THon are also looking at the recruiting classes that ASU, IU, and ND are bringing in. Hopefully adding Bruce Brown tomorrow (fingers crossed) will continue to show the two of them that we are the best spot for him

[Class of '66 Old Fart 83,509]

I'm confused.  Who's being recruited, Thon Maker or Ed Smith?  Is Smith looking for a package deal for his own benefit?  Certainly has a Svengali atmosphere surrounding Thon's whole recruitment. 

[Hovadipo 54,676]

I'm confused.  Who's being recruited, Thon Maker or Ed Smith?  Is Smith looking for a package deal for his own benefit?  Certainly has a Svengali atmosphere surrounding Thon's whole recruitment. 

 

If you want Thon, you better be best friends with Smith it seems. It sucks because Thon seems like a great kid, but it's the reality of the situation I suppose.

[ALASKA HOOSIER 11,253]

I was weary of the ED SMITH connection until i read an article on how he has helped the Maker family. I don't know where i found the article since it was a few years ago but to paraphrase.... This guy helped the Maker boys who had escaped Sudan. He became their guardian and helped them with finances, education, etc. He has lead the way on the boys within the U.S. Basketball world and I'm sure there is alot to do with money, but from what i have seen, it's for the boys as well.

[8bucks 6,338]

I was weary of the ED SMITH connection until i read an article on how he has helped the Maker family. I don't know where i found the article since it was a few years ago but to paraphrase.... This guy helped the Maker boys who had escaped Sudan. He became their guardian and helped them with finances, education, etc. He has lead the way on the boys within the U.S. Basketball world and I'm sure there is alot to do with money, but from what i have seen, it's for the boys as well.

Too often we just assume the worst when you hear s kid has s handler. Some kids simply need someone else to enter their lives and help guide them.

[ALASKA HOOSIER 11,253]

Especially when you have to leave your family to escape war

[Kepner 1,261]

I was weary of the ED SMITH connection until i read an article on how he has helped the Maker family. I don't know where i found the article since it was a few years ago but to paraphrase.... This guy helped the Maker boys who had escaped Sudan. He became their guardian and helped them with finances, education, etc. He has lead the way on the boys within the U.S. Basketball world and I'm sure there is alot to do with money, but from what i have seen, it's for the boys as well.

You mostly got the story right but Ed Smith didn't come into contact with them till they were in Australia. They escaped the Sudan with relatives when they were very young and were refugees in Australia. Thats where Ed Smith ran into them and brought them with him to the US and has taken them under his wing. He is their legal guardian. I think he gets a worse rep then most but he does have a big say in colleges for Thon. He has known Bobby Hurley for awhile, so ASU is big in the mix, and he has known Mike Brey for a long time, so ND is in the mix. Ed Smith is also looking for the best place to showcase Thon's talent. 

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Maybe not too new.

ASU gets first official.

ASU, Indiana, ND quoted as working hardest.

 

We're still in this--and that's all that matters right now!  Work it Crean!
 

[Iufan2324 158]

I really think the NCAA will have issues with clearing thon. Not that Ed smith did anything wrong but swanigan was in same situation and eventually got cleared but I hate having clearing house issues

[MartintheMopMan 7,765]

I really think the NCAA will have issues with clearing thon. Not that Ed smith did anything wrong but swanigan was in same situation and eventually got cleared but I hate having clearing house issues

Of the teams involved with Thon, we have the least issues. Swanigan had trouble because Roosevelt had connections to Purdue. Ed Smith has zero connections to us.

[Iufan2324 158]

Of the teams involved with Thon, we have the least issues. Swanigan had trouble because Roosevelt had connections to Purdue. Ed Smith has zero connections to us.

Very true. Good point with that

[Hovadipo 54,676]

About a week late here, but...

 

Eric Bossi 

 

✔@ebosshoops

Planned visit for Thon Maker to Arizona State in January will have to be set for a new date per his guardian Ed Smith.

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,765]

@AdamZagoria: Kansas and Notre Dame will have coaches at the Marshall County Hoopfest this week for 2016 7-footer @ThonMaker14

[yogisballin 2,293]

@AdamZagoria: Kansas and Notre Dame will have coaches at the Marshall County Hoopfest this week for 2016 7-footer @ThonMaker14

Originally I had planned on going to this. Instead my wife tells me last week that we are going to Gatlinburg,TN for the weekend with all the Fam Damily. Nice tournament usually. They played in this last year as well

[Demo 19,414]

Originally I had planned on going to this. Instead my wife tells me last week that we are going to Gatlinburg,TN for the weekend with all the Fam Damily. Nice tournament usually. They played in this last year as well

Definitely a bad break for you. This will be the 4th year I've gone. Watching that much premium talent in a 1 game at a time setting is just the best.
Really interested to compare Maker to last year. Talent's almost beyond belief, but l thought he played 3 pretty mediocre halves and 1 pretty good one. Competed really hard, like TB hard, but made so many poor decisions that they often mitigated his physical advantage. Looking forward to seeing how he's developed. CuJo as well. Played really well down there last year.

[yogisballin 2,293]

Definitely a bad break for you. This will be the 4th year I've gone. Watching that much premium talent in a 1 game at a time setting is just the best.
Really interested to compare Maker to last year. Talent's almost beyond belief, but l thought he played 3 pretty mediocre halves and 1 pretty good one. Competed really hard, like TB hard, but made so many poor decisions that they often mitigated his physical advantage. Looking forward to seeing how he's developed. CuJo as well. Played really well down there last year.

Let us know if or how much he has improved