Thon Maker Bio
Thon Marial Maker (born 25 February 1997) is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player for Al-Ula of the Saudi Basketball League. He attended high school at Orangeville District Secondary School in Ontario, Canada, and played basketball for Canada’s Athlete Institute. Maker was selected 10th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and has played for several teams in the NBA and overseas since then.
Early Life and Background
Thon Maker was born in Wau, a city in what is now South Sudan. During the civil war, his uncle, a local administrator, helped him, his younger brother Matur, and their aunt escape to Uganda. They were later accepted as refugees by Australia and moved to Perth, Western Australia when Maker was five years old. The family eventually settled in Australia, where Maker began his journey in basketball. At the age of 14, he was discovered playing soccer in the Perth suburb of Mirrabooka by Edward Smith, an Australian of African-American descent. Smith offered to support Maker and his family, allowing him to focus on basketball. Maker played for the St. George Basketball Association in 2011, and shortly after, he attended a talent camp in Texas. Maker’s early exposure to basketball set the foundation for his future career.
Path to Basketball
After moving to the United States, Thon Maker attended several schools, including Metairie Park Country Day School in Louisiana, before finally settling at Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. During his freshman and sophomore years at Carlisle, he averaged impressive statistics, earning the Gatorade Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors in 2014. In September 2014, Maker and his brother enrolled at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ontario, where they also attended Orangeville District Secondary School. Maker’s high school career was marked by significant achievements, including participation in the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit, where he played alongside future NBA star Ben Simmons.
Thon Maker Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
Thon Maker’s professional career began when he was drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2016 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut on 30 October 2016 and quickly made an impact during the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 14.2 points and 9.6 rebounds. Maker earned All-NBA Summer League Second Team honors and signed his rookie scale contract with the Bucks shortly after. In his first season, he recorded a career-high of 23 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons. Maker’s performance in the playoffs also stood out, as he contributed significantly to the Bucks’ efforts against the Boston Celtics.
Breakthrough (2019-2021)
In February 2019, Maker was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he continued to develop his skills. He made notable contributions, including a crucial three-pointer that secured a win against the Atlanta Hawks. However, his time with the Pistons was short-lived, as he became a free agent in November 2020. Maker signed a training camp contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers but was waived after a brief stint. He then signed with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League but parted ways with the team after averaging 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Thon Maker has achieved significant milestones, including being named the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year in 2014 and winning the BCL Asia Championship in 2024. He has also been recognized as the WASL Most Valuable Player in 2024 and earned accolades such as the Lebanese Basketball League Finals MVP in 2025.
Thon Maker Award Nominations
Thon Maker has received various nominations throughout his career, reflecting his impact on the court and contributions to his teams.
Thon Maker Awards Won
Maker has won several awards, including the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year in 2014, the BCL Asia Championship in 2024, and the WASL Most Valuable Player in 2024.
Thon Maker Family
Thon Maker is a South Sudanese and Australian citizen. His parents, who belong to the Dinka people, still reside in South Sudan. Both of his parents are tall, with his father standing at 2.03 meters (6 feet 8 inches) and his mother at 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches). Maker has a brother, Matur, who attempted to enter the 2018 NBA Draft, and another brother, Maker Maker, who plays soccer.
Personal Life
Thon Maker has expressed pride in his heritage and has been involved in various initiatives to support youth from migrant backgrounds. He has also shown support for Australian sports teams, particularly the Sydney Swans, due to his cousin Aliir Aliir’s involvement in the Australian Football League.