2016 Draft Prospect: Thon Maker

[Drom John]

http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/sporting_news/d/22/thon-maker-071215-ua-ftrjpg_1gu08yj8gjgr91oi4m2orstfzu.jpg?t=-2084409954

Height: 7-0
Weight: 219 lbs
Date of Birth: 02/25/1997
School: Athlete Institute
Country: Sudan

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Thon-Maker-70462/) #39
NBADraft.net (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/thon-maker) not to 100

Bleacher Report by Jonathan Wasserman, 25 April 2016

29. San Antonio Spurs
There are questions concerning Thon Maker's NBA fit. His skinny frame can be easily moved inside, and though capable of handling the ball and making open jump shots, he's not sharp or fluid enough to be considered a perimeter player.

Maker's value lies within his energy and motor as a fairly athletic 7-footer. He runs hard and competes around the basket, where his relentless approach translates to easy buckets, second-chance points and blocked shots.

He'll spend next year in the D-League, but at No. 29, Maker is a project worth taking on for a San Antonio Spurs team that always seems to maximize talent.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report by Jonathan Wasserman, 25 April 2016

29. San Antonio Spurs
There are questions concerning Thon Maker's NBA fit. His skinny frame can be easily moved inside, and though capable of handling the ball and making open jump shots, he's not sharp or fluid enough to be considered a perimeter player.

Maker's value lies within his energy and motor as a fairly athletic 7-footer. He runs hard and competes around the basket, where his relentless approach translates to easy buckets, second-chance points and blocked shots.

He'll spend next year in the D-League, but at No. 29, Maker is a project worth taking on for a San Antonio Spurs team that always seems to maximize talent.

[Chinook]

I'll flip if the Spurs draft another front-court player.

[exstatic]

I'll flip if the Spurs draft another front-court player.

Even after we just got worked by OKC's front court?

[Chinook]

Even after we just got worked by OKC's front court?

Yes.

[xellos88330]

I'll flip if the Spurs draft another front-court player.

I am inclined to agree. The backcourt is the biggest issue IMO. I understand that the Spurs were killed on the glass, but there is no point to drafting a big if the system is designed around perimeter play. The Spurs need a backcourt that can box out and go after the loose ball tapouts. That is where the problem was. Too many balls being tapped out to the backcourt and the Spurs more often than not, losing the contest for the loose ball.

I say the Spurs need PG and/or SG.

[TheGoldStandard]

I'd love Thon Maker if we can get another draft pick early in the 2nd round to pick him up. Target a PG with the first pick, someone who can actually be on the roster and will play minutes and bring in Thon to come off the bench/ D league work to get better. Thon looks like he would be a work horse, be a monster in the gym to add muscle to his frame we can cultivate his shot and he is athletic to be a monster on offense and great defender of the pick n roll. Worth a look.

[lmbebo]

Interesting project. Wouldn't mind him in 2nd round if attainable.

When we pick, its not so much about filling needs but more about getting best talent available. Yes, we need some youth in our back court, but if it isn't there when we pick, why waist the pick and force the issue?

[Drom John]

CSNNE: Blakely's 2016 NBA Mock Draft 3.0, 14 May 2016

29. San Antonio -- Thon Maker

A pick based largely on potential, Maker will use upcoming workouts to show that he's more fundamentally sound player than those mixtapes that made him a YouTube sensation a couple of years ago.

[BackHome]

Golden State will pick him up in first round.

[Spurs9]

I'll take him, dudes wingspan is ridiculous.

[Drom John]

The Sports Bank.net: 2016 NBA Mock Draft-First Round (5/16/16) by davidkay


29. San Antonio-Thon Maker, C, Australia, 7-0, 1997
The Spurs have an aging frontcourt and could use some young options. Making his biggest presence on the defensive end, Maker is still a work in progress offensively and a high risk/reward pick.

[r0drig0lac]

Spurs must go hard for Thon Maker or Taurean Prince, no question

[Trill Clinton]

thon is projected to be a center and his frame is way too small for my taste. pass.

[BackHome]

I really like Prince...

[ace3g]

732595731840806913

[Drom John]

Basketballl Insiders: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Consensus Ver 2.0
By Basketball Insiders on May 17, 2016


Each week, four of Basketball Insiders’ top writers will break down the latest news and notes surrounding the 2016 NBA Draft. Included is an updated mock draft that reflects how each writer sees the draft landscape based on the latest news, workouts and information from the pre-draft process.

Moke Hamilton picked Thon Maker

(Alex Kennedy and Joel Brigham both picked Ante Zizac
Steve Kyler picked Ivica Zubac)

[SPURt]

This guy is going to get hyped and picked before the Spurs get on the board.

[Drom John]

CSN Chicago: 2016 NBA MOCK DRAFT: MARK SCHANOWSKI MAKES HIS PICKS
By Mark Schanowski May 26, 2016 12:15 PM


29. SPURS - Thon Maker, PF-C (Australia)

The international man of mystery in this year’s draft. Intriguing size at 7-foot-1, but NBA scouts aren’t sure what position he’ll play. The Spurs can let him develop overseas for a couple years before bringing him over.

[Drom John]

Basketball Insiders: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Consensus Ver 4.0
By Basketball Insiders
On June 1, 2016

Still Moke Hamilton's pick, 1 of 4, with new quote.


Moke’s Notebook: The more homework I do on the prospects entering the league this year, the more I realize that there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding a number of players. Thon Maker, DeAndre Bembry and Tyler Ulis are each prime examples. If you go around and take a look at some mock drafts, you’ll see quite the disparity from one to the next. What it tells us, to be quite frank, is that correctly nailing a draft pick is incredibly difficult.

[Drom John]

La Gazzetta dello Sport: L’NBA Mock Draft 2016 di Basketinside.com
Il Mock Draft di Basketinside.com, dove proviamo a predire l’ordine di chiamata per i migliori prospetti del panorama NCAA ed europeo.
di Alberto Buffin, 2 giugno 2016, 17:13


29. Thon Maker
PF | Orangeville Prep | HSSR.

Probabilmente tutti voi avrete sentito parlare del curioso caso di Thon Maker almeno una volta nella vostra vita. L’australiano si sarebbe dovuto immatricolare il prossimo anno in qualche college americano, dopo aver fatto faville a livello liceale, ma pochi mesi or sono ha deciso di tentare la fortuna dichiarandosi per il Draft. Compiendo 19 anni in quest anno solare è una scelta possibile, avvalorata oltretutto dalle notevoli prestazioni sul lato difensivo del campo. Gli Spurs vogliono aggiungere carne fresca sotto i tabelloni, e nonostante Maker potrebbe aver bisogno di qualche periodo in D-League per affinare le sue doti tecniche, siamo certi che l’energia di cui dispone potrà tornare immediatamente utile alla causa.

[Drom John]

Walter Football: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Round One - Picks 16-30
By Mike Elworth
Updated: June 3, 2016


29. San Antonio Spurs: Thon Maker, C, Australia

When it comes to talent, Maker is a lottery prospect; he just needs time. The Spurs would be wise to draft a project with elite potential. Maker is a 7-foot teenager who is ridiculously thin, but he plays hard and can shoot, score, rebound and block shots. Again, he is a project though and it may take years for him to be a viable role player, but the Spurs wouldn't need him next season, so it's a perfect fit for them.

[Drom John]

SB Nation: Pacific Takes: Pac-12 perspective 2016 NBA mock draft 6/7: Three Pac-12 players in Top 10
By Jack Follman  Jackfollman on Jun 7, 2016, 3:58p

29. San Antonio - Thon Maker PF Australia

[Snaq O'Meal]

740326335462047744

[palangi]

don't stash him if we draft him!! let him get over and learn behind LMA and the big club.

I am tired of the draft and stash. It isn't paying dividends anymore. Hell it really only worked for manu and tony. it has busted every other time.

[TheGoldStandard]

don't stash him if we draft him!! let him get over and learn behind LMA and the big club.

I am tired of the draft and stash. It isn't paying dividends anymore. Hell it really only worked for manu and tony. it has busted every other time.

:pop: He'll be 2 years away from being 3 years ready when we decide to bring him over.. if we draft him.. He seems too long and athletic for my taste..

[Drom John]

Basketball Insiders: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Consensus Ver 6.0
By Basketball Insiders
on June 15, 2016

2 of 4
Alex Kennedy has joined Moke Hamilton in picking Maker for the Spurs.

[Drom John]

College Spun: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: First Round 2.0
Matt Hladik
Thursday, Jun 16, 2016 4:56 pm


29. San Antonio Spurs – Thon Maker, F, Orangeville Prep (Canada)

Admit it, this is such a Spurs pick. The 19-year-old Maker is a raw, somewhat unknown foreign prospect who needs time to develop. The Spurs have made a living stockpiling guys like this and turning them into productive players.

Maker’s absurd high school mixtape and 7-foot-1 frame drew lazy Kevin Durant comparisons, but it’s seemingly impossible that he reaches that level of stardom. He could, however, turn into a useful NBA player in time, and what better franchise to help him grow than the Spurs?

[BD24]

Not a fan of this pick. Would much rather take a scoring guard for the bench like Malik Beasley

[Drom John]

Fansided: Nothin' But Nets: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Bender and Hield Both Drop
by Jay Siskin 1 hour ago [aka 21 June 2016]


29
Thon Maker

PF/C, Australia

With the uncertainty around Tim Duncan’s future, the San Antonio Spurs would welcome more depth in the front court with Thon Maker.

Maker is still mostly an unknown in the sense that he’s never played basketball consistently against high-level competition, but the Spurs organization is one of the best at developing young players. Maker declaring for the draft was a mistake, in the words of many, but it would be great for him as a player if he ended up in San Antonio, Texas. He measured, tested and interviewed well at the NBA combine.

As noted, the Spurs have had great success in years past with developing players with holes in their game. The Spurs are confident they can turn any prospect into a quality NBA player, especially Maker. He possesses a combination of raw potential and work ethic, which are things the Spurs are always looking for in young talent. If he is available at number 29, the Spurs may grab him with a view to further his development behind Lamarcus Aldridge and Duncan and in the D-League next year.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report: 2016 NBA Mock Draft: Jonathan Wasserman's Final 2-Round Predictions
By Jonathan Wasserman , NBA Lead Writer Jun 23, 2016

New quote.


At No. 29, the San Antonio Spurs won't find anyone ready to make an impact in 2016-17. This is a solid spot on the board for Thon Maker, who'd benefit from San Antonio's veteran culture and respected coaching staff.

The Spurs aren't working on many big projects at the moment; They have room to add Maker and slowly develop him. And with 7'0 ¾" size, bounce, some outside touch and a live motor, the upside is worth the risk this late.

Maker is expected to work out in San Antonio, per the San Antonio Express-News' Jabari Young.

[JuneJive]

Apparently he could be 23-24 years old.

I don't know what's going on there, but that seems like an issue, might be that someone wants him to fall lower, who knows...

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[Drom John]

A Few Good Mics: 2016 NBA Mock Draft
Thomas Mooney Jun 23, 2016

[elemento]

lol @ Bucks spending a lottery pick on Taribo West II :lol

[Captivus]

I just want to see this guy play...haha