(2016) C Thon Maker

[RoderickJaynes 19]

What I'm saying is he can graduate high school without reclassifying. You don't have to be in a certain class to graduate high school.

Only reason you reclassify is for college athletics.

 

The end goal is still to get to the NBA, and the reclass just gets him there quicker whether he goes abroad or plays college ball.  If he graduated in his natural year, he'd have to wait another year before entering the draft.  I wish it did indicate a stronger desire to play ncaa bball, but I don't think we can draw that conclusion unfortunately.  Thankfully, I think HD is right that he does value education, so maybe that will sway him to stay stateside.  I, for one, am not interested in any more moral recruiting victories like with Dante Exum.  It was really nice of him to say that IU would have been his choice, but that doesn't help to improve the product on the floor. 

[incrediboy 922]

The NBA has been kicking around a minimum age idea for a while now....the commish says 20 is the magic number he wants. So if the kid wants a shot at one-and-done, he has to reclassify and make his move before the NBA decides to do this. The thing is, he may be too late, it could happen within the next year, which would be a boon for whatever school does land him.

 

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/11/24/adam-silver-nba-age-minimum-20

[NRT137 316]

Guys, just don't get your hopes up. Uk will graduate their 8 guys and then offer thon playing time and it will be a no brainier for thon. Besides, according to a few sources, his highlight reels are amazing but his actually play is not nearly as great.

[RoderickJaynes 19]

Guys, just don't get your hopes up. Uk will graduate their 8 guys and then offer thon playing time and it will be a no brainier for thon. Besides, according to a few sources, his highlight reels are amazing but his actually play is not nearly as great.

 

I don't think that is what's happening.

[yogisballin 2,295]

Guys, just don't get your hopes up. Uk will graduate their 8 guys and then offer thon playing time and it will be a no brainier for thon. Besides, according to a few sources, his highlight reels are amazing but his actually play is not nearly as great.

UK graduates players? Naw...cut it out

[NRT137 316]

Is it just me, or is thon a really overrated player? People say that he will change the game of basketball. Yes, he can sometimes shoot the 3, he hustles, has decent hands and is 7 foot, but he is so skinny. He will get dominated by the average big ten starting 5. He is like hanner Perea in that he has the athletic potential, but can't use it well. It would be nice to have him at iubb, but I see him only making the impact as a rebounder/ fast break player, not on post ups or defending

[lelgar4 223]

Is it just me, or is thon a really overrated player? People say that he will change the game of basketball. Yes, he can sometimes shoot the 3, he hustles, has decent hands and is 7 foot, but he is so skinny. He will get dominated by the average big ten starting 5. He is like hanner Perea in that he has the athletic potential, but can't use it well. It would be nice to have him at iubb, but I see him only making the impact as a rebounder/ fast break player, not on post ups or defending

Pretty sure he's more of a 4/3 than a 5, despite his size. Compared to KG and KD a lot.

I think most realize he's a veryraw talent - he's only played bball for like 5 years, but overrated? Nah, kid could change a program like IU.

[Hovadipo 54,833]

Is it just me, or is thon a really overrated player? People say that he will change the game of basketball. Yes, he can sometimes shoot the 3, he hustles, has decent hands and is 7 foot, but he is so skinny. He will get dominated by the average big ten starting 5. He is like hanner Perea in that he has the athletic potential, but can't use it well. It would be nice to have him at iubb, but I see him only making the impact as a rebounder/ fast break player, not on post ups or defending

In the sense you put it, yes, he is overrated. He won't "change basketball". Is he one of the most intriguing prospects basketball has seen? Probably. For someone to be that skilled, only having played basketball for a handful of years is mind blowing. He will bulk up a little bit in a college strength program, but he isn't a 5. He is the pure definition of a stretch 4 or point forward, whichever term you prefer. He can handle it, shoot it from anywhere, and has shown pretty good court vision in the games I've seen. The amount of things you could do with him on the court should have any coach salivating. He will add some polish to his game and be, at the very least, a crazy interesting pro. If his next stop is IU, that would be a game changer. If not, tracking his career going forward will still be a lot of fun.

[Darko240 15]

I just google searched Thon and I'm seeing articles saying Thon has said his intentions are to play in Australia next year.  I'm assuming this is Professionally and his college recruitment is all but done?

[Alford Bailey 12,348]

If Thon is a raw as some have stated I dont think Cal fools with him. He likes guys skilled and ready to play. I think he goes to college since he reclassified and its between IU and Kansas.

[Hovadipo 54,833]

I just google searched Thon and I'm seeing articles saying Thon has said his intentions are to play in Australia next year. I'm assuming this is Professionally and his college recruitment is all but done?

Not necessarily. It's for FIBA and other international games.

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

If Thon is a raw as some have stated I dont think Cal fools with him. He likes guys skilled and ready to play. I think he goes to college since he reclassified and its between IU and Kansas.

You've been way too cheery lately. But I definitely agree with you- Thon has the potential to be a gem in some programs legacy, but he's not a sure-fire, day 1 stud. For all we deride Crean's player development, does anyone actually get better at UK? I doubt this is lost on Thon/his Handlers

[Alford Bailey 12,348]

I worry more about Kansas since they are Addidas and after Self's success with Embiid.

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

I worry more about Kansas since they are Addidas and after Self's success with Embiid.

Agreed. I'd say our best asset is Bryant and Crean's "success" (he was a top pick) with Vonleh who similarly stretched the floor. Hopefully those pieces in tandem will boost IU.

[Alford Bailey 12,348]

Agreed. I'd say our best asset is Bryant and Crean's "success" (he was a top pick) with Vonleh who similarly stretched the floor. Hopefully those pieces in tandem will boost IU.

Maybe Bryant and the Makers made a pact during their visit to Btown?

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

Maybe Bryant and the Makers made a pact during their visit to Btown?

I wouldn't doubt that at least talked about the potential. Few teams in the country can offer an experienced PG, shooters that can create space and minimize double teams, a fellow big to deflect attention in the paint, AND Adidas. I hate sounding optimistic, but, in as unbiased a way as I can say, we are actually the best fit.

[realbig304 106]

Hopefully this doesn't turn into Dante Exum 2.0 where he says if he went to college to play hoops it would have been Indiana...

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Hopefully this doesn't turn into Dante Exum 2.0 where he says if he went to college to play hoops it would have been Indiana...

Josh Smith
Dante Exum
Thon Maker.

Very real possibility.

[Uwe Robb 1,072]

I don't know about that. 1.2 million over one year is a pretty nice start to your career.

Remember reading an article on Brandon Jennings and he was saying he had a Brand new Volvo given to him a Flat (apartment) and he received per diem for food. Plus his entire salary was tax-free. If all of this is true then Emmanuel, Jennings, Thon or whomever would be essentially putting entire income into savings account. (minus a few bottles of Crystal) sp?

 

This is why I wonder why more kids do not do this more often. Specifially kids that need to make money soon to support family.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Remember reading an article on Brandon Jennings and he was saying he had a Brand new Volvo given to him a Flat (apartment) and he received per diem for food. Plus his entire salary was tax-free. If all of this is true then Emmanuel, Jennings, Thon or whomever would be essentially putting entire income into savings account. (minus a few bottles of Crystal) sp?

This is why I wonder why more kids do not do this more often. Specifially kids that need to make money soon to support family.

Maturity is the big difference. If you look at Mudiay's season, you gotta be a mature 18 year old to handle all that. New country, millions of dollars, tons of pressure. etc.

And what you miss is the Steph Curry treatment where NCAA Tournament put him on the map. People still talk about what he did at Davidson and he's an NBA all star now.