Matur Maker facts for kids
Maker with Orangeville Prep in November 2014
|
|
| CS Maristes | |
|---|---|
| Power forward / center | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 1 January 1998 Sudan (now South Sudan) |
| Nationality | Australian / South Sudanese |
| High school |
|
| Listed weight | 95 kg (209 lb) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 2019 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 2018–present |
| League | Lebanese Basketball League |
| Career history | |
| 2018 | Union Neuchâtel |
| 2018–2019 | Zlatorog Laško |
| 2019–2020 | Rio Grande Valley Vipers |
| 2021–2022 | Sydney Kings |
| 2022 | Canterbury Rams |
| 2023 | Nelson Giants |
| 2024 | Taipei Fubon Braves |
| 2024 | Rockhampton Rockets |
| 2024 | Al-Ahli Jeddah |
| 2025–present | CS Maristes |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Matur Marial Maker, born on January 1, 1998, is a professional basketball player. He was born in South Sudan but grew up in Australia. Matur played for different high schools in Canada and the United States. He decided not to play college basketball and went straight to professional leagues. Matur currently plays for CS Maristes in the Lebanese Basketball League. In 2022, he helped the Sydney Kings win an NBL championship.
Contents
Matur Maker's Early Life
Matur Maker was born in what is now South Sudan on January 1, 1998. He has an older brother named Thon Maker, who is also a basketball player. When Matur was very young, his family had to leave their home country because of a civil war. They moved to Uganda first.
Later, when Matur was four years old, his family settled in Perth, Western Australia, as refugees. Even after moving to Australia, they sometimes visited South Sudan. Matur first started playing soccer at a club called Grayhounds, where many kids from South Sudan played.
When Matur was 13, a basketball scout named Edward Smith noticed his talent. Matur then moved to Sydney to live with Smith. After his parents agreed, Matur was allowed to join his brother Thon in high school. Edward Smith eventually became their legal guardian.
High School Basketball Journey
Matur started his high school basketball career at Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. He joined his brother Thon, who was already playing there. Their guardian, Edward Smith, was an assistant coach for the team. Matur's arrival helped Thon adjust better to life in the United States.
Playing at Carlisle School
During his first year at Carlisle, Matur was seen as one of the best high school players in the country for his position. He helped Carlisle win a state championship. He also played for Team Loaded VA in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which is a league for young athletes.
Moving to Orangeville Prep
For his second year, Matur left Carlisle. In September 2014, he and Thon enrolled at Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. They played under coach Larry Blunt and with another talented player, Jamal Murray. Matur was recognized as a second-team all-star in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA).
Time at The Tech Academy
In the 2016–17 season, Maker moved to The Tech Academy in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. His guardian, Edward Smith, coached the team there. Matur also became teammates with his cousin, Makur Makur. This move allowed Matur to live closer to his brother Thon, who had been drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2016 NBA draft.
In April 2017, Matur played in the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game in Toronto. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game. He scored 25 points and grabbed six rebounds in just 12 minutes of play. At an adidas Nations event in August, he averaged 26 points and seven rebounds for his team.
Final High School Season
Matur played a final year of high school basketball at Mississauga Prep in Mississauga, Ontario, during the 2017–18 season. By 2018, he was averaging impressive stats: 25.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game.
On January 5, 2018, Matur announced he planned to skip college and enter the 2018 NBA draft. He hoped to follow his brother Thon's path. On January 11, he caught the attention of scouts by scoring 45 points, 20 rebounds, two blocks, and three steals in a game. However, he later withdrew his name from the 2018 NBA draft on June 11, 2018.
Matur Maker's Professional Career
Matur Maker began his professional basketball journey in 2018. He has played for several teams in different countries.
Union Neuchâtel (2018)
On August 7, 2018, Maker signed with Union Neuchâtel in the Swiss Basketball League. He played four games with the team.
Zlatorog Laško (2018–2019)
On December 30, 2018, Maker joined Zlatorog Laško in the Slovenian Basketball League. He played 17 games, averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game, helping his team reach the playoffs.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2019–2020)
In October 2019, Maker briefly signed with the Houston Rockets of the NBA but was waived quickly. He then joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which is the Rockets' team in the NBA G League.
Sydney Kings (2021–2022)
Maker played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2021 NBA Summer League. On August 27, 2021, he signed with the Sydney Kings for the 2021–22 NBL season. He helped the Kings win the NBL championship in 2022.
Canterbury Rams (2022)
In May 2022, Maker played three games for the Canterbury Rams during the 2022 New Zealand NBL season.
Nelson Giants (2023)
On April 4, 2023, Maker signed with the Nelson Giants for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season.
Taipei Fubon Braves (2024)
In March 2024, Maker played one game for Taipei Fubon Braves in the P. League+ in Taiwan.
Rockhampton Rockets (2024)
In April 2024, Maker joined the Rockhampton Rockets in the NBL1 North league in Australia. He was named to the NBL1 North Second Team for his strong performance.
Al-Ahli Jeddah (2024)
In August 2024, Maker signed with Al-Ahli Jeddah in the Saudi Basketball League. He played three games for them in October 2024.
CS Maristes (2025–present)
In January 2025, Maker first signed with Al-Nasr in Libya. However, a week later, he signed with CS Maristes in the Lebanese Basketball League, where he currently plays.
Matur Maker's Family Life
Matur Maker's parents are from the Dinka people in South Sudan. Both of his parents are very tall; his father is 2.03 meters (about 6 feet 8 inches) tall, and his mother is 1.90 meters (about 6 feet 3 inches) tall.
Matur has several family members who are also athletes:
- His brother, Thon Maker, was the 10th pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
- Another brother, Maker Maker, plays soccer for South Melbourne FC's under-20 team.
- His cousin, Makur Maker, plays basketball for Capital City Go-Go. Makur previously played for Howard University.
- Another cousin, Aliir Aliir, plays Australian Rules Football for Port Adelaide in the Australian Football League.
