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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
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LONG BEACH, CA - AUGUST 4: Thon Maker #34 poses for a portrait during the 2014 adidas Nations August 4, 2014 at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images)
LONG BEACH, CA – AUGUST 4: Thon Maker #34 poses for a portrait during the 2014 adidas Nations August 4, 2014 at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images) /

30. Thon Maker, Athlete Institute Basketball Academy Bears

Position: Power Forward

Age: 19 (2/25/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 219 pounds, 7’2.5″

Slash Line: N/A

Season Averages: N/A

Key Strengths

  • Loves to play the game. High character. Nonstop motor.
  • A true 7’0″ power forward with a ridiculous 9’3″ standing reach and a 7’2.5″ wingspan.
  • Offensive foundation. Has the semblance of a jump shot. Not inept as a ball-handler.
  • Fluid athleticism. Can get up and down the floor. Finishes above the rim.
  • Defensive versatility. Can defend the post and step out. Still raw, but he’s only 19.

Key Weaknesses

  • Hasn’t dominated events like his size and age suggest he should.
  • Foundation for success. but his skills are raw.
  • Doesn’t spend enough time along the interior.
  • Hype is based more on YouTube than reality.

Analysis

It may seem premature to place Thon Maker in the Top 30, but he isn’t the first high school basketball player to make the jump to the NBA. He’s a 7’1″ power forward who has the raw skill set to space the floor, take his man off the bounce, and finish well above the rim while thriving as a shot-blocker.

The question is, will his application to the 2016 NBA Draft be accepted? Per Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress:

"Thon Maker, a Sudanese 7-footer by way of Australia who plays his high school basketball in Canada, will attempt to enter the 2016 NBA Draft, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told DraftExpress. The 19-year old Maker believes he has a strong case to be considered draft eligible, since he reportedly graduated high school in Canada in June of 2015, and is now technically in his fifth year of high school."

There’s no telling how well those skills will translate to a significantly more competitive level—high school to the NBA is a massive jump—but he wouldn’t be the first to do so.

Forgetting the countless high school players who made the jump, Giannis Antetokounmpo made a similar move from an underwhelming Greek league to the Association, and went No. 15 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. Something similar can be said about Dante Exum, who went No. 5 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Related Story: Thon Maker has exposed college basketball's biggest issue

Maker has underwhelmed at most events, but his upside is vast. The right coach could make him a star.

Next: First Five Out

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