Thon Maker was supposed to be the one man who changed everything in basketball. A seven footer who has some crazy handles, a nice jumpshot and sone rim protecting skills. He had it all. At least that’s what his youtube videos showed.
In the time that Maker was cleared to join the 2016 NBA Draft, his stock has dropped from a possible top 3 pick just about two years ago to being a late first round pick, possibly even out of the first round.
Many question his actual basketball ability outside of his athleticism and what he presents on the surface. Some scouts don’t think he even knows how to play basketball at a high level, doubting his ability to read offenses and defenses and they doubt he can actually be a factor on defense besides protecting the rim and his lack of aggressiveness has come into question.
Another big question has been his age and some NBA scouts have been saying Maker, who is listed at 19 years old, could be as old as 24.
Following from Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated and Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports Australia.
Several teams have entirely ruled Thon Maker out of the first round due to his age. Multiple sources believe Maker to be 21-23, not 19.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 23, 2016
Sources in Perth, Australia tell me Thon Maker could be as old as 24. But, again, it's not something that can be proven, either way
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) June 23, 2016
To sum up the mystery of Thon Maker, an Eastern Conference executive said the following to Jerry Bembry of The Undefeated.
An Eastern Conference scout searching for answers while watching Maker’s recent workouts in New York came away with just as many questions.
“He’d definitely filled out a lot since I’d last seen him, and his workouts demonstrate his obvious talents as being very athletic,” the scout told The Undefeated. “He can shoot an NBA three in a workout with no one on him, but can you do that in a five-on-five setting?
“The real problem with Thon Maker? There’s so little to evaluate his ability.”
Is he worth a first-round selection?
“If you’re drafting after 25, I’d say yes,” the scout said. “There are two questions about him going into the draft. The first is: Can he play? The second is: If you’re the guy who’s going to draft him, how big are your balls?”
