Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Thon Maker to Decide on Reclassing by January, Could be Top Pick in 2016
Thon Maker will decide by January whether or not to reclass into the Class of 2015, which would make him eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.
His guardian, Ed Smith, told Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader they would decide by January, reiterating comments he has previously made.
“If it were up to me, I want to see him get going,” Smith told the paper after the 7-foot Maker went for 24 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks in a win over Prime Prep at the Bluegrass Showcase. “The quicker he does that, the better he gets. He has to progress and go do what he has to do.
“He needs to get up there. And we’re preparing him now to be ready to go into a college situation.”
Maker, who transferred to Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario earlier this fall, is projected by many as the No. 1 pick in 2016. He has drawn comparisons to both Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett, although he needs to add weight and strength.
Smith told Roberts Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana and Stanford were “very strong in recruiting us.”
A slew of big-time college coaches have come through Athlete Institute this fall, including Kansas’s Kurtis Townsend.
Smith previously told SNY.tv Maker had no intentions of skipping college to play overseas the way Emmanuel Mudiay did when he signed in China.
“We’re on a college path and we never spoke about jumping,” he said. “A lot of people get ahead of themselves with speculation.”
Smith conceded that if high school players could still jump directly to the NBA, it might be something Maker would consider.
“I think the best question someone could ask is, If kids were still able to go from high school to pro would you consider going?” Smith said. “I think a lot of kids would say, ‘Yeah, I would consider going if people said they were good enough and they had a enough feedback. That really is the question.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Thon Maker will decide by January whether or not to reclass into the Class of 2015, which would make him eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.
His guardian, Ed Smith, told Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader they would decide by January, reiterating comments he has previously made.
“If it were up to me, I want to see him get going,” Smith told the paper after the 7-foot Maker went for 24 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks in a win over Prime Prep at the Bluegrass Showcase. “The quicker he does that, the better he gets. He has to progress and go do what he has to do.
“He needs to get up there. And we’re preparing him now to be ready to go into a college situation.”
Maker, who transferred to Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario earlier this fall, is projected by many as the No. 1 pick in 2016. He has drawn comparisons to both Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett, although he needs to add weight and strength.
Smith told Roberts Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana and Stanford were “very strong in recruiting us.”
A slew of big-time college coaches have come through Athlete Institute this fall, including Kansas’s Kurtis Townsend.
Smith previously told SNY.tv Maker had no intentions of skipping college to play overseas the way Emmanuel Mudiay did when he signed in China.
“We’re on a college path and we never spoke about jumping,” he said. “A lot of people get ahead of themselves with speculation.”
Smith conceded that if high school players could still jump directly to the NBA, it might be something Maker would consider.
“I think the best question someone could ask is, If kids were still able to go from high school to pro would you consider going?” Smith said. “I think a lot of kids would say, ‘Yeah, I would consider going if people said they were good enough and they had a enough feedback. That really is the question.”
