Matur Maker facts for kids
Maker with Orangeville Prep in November 2014
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| CS Maristes | |
|---|---|
| Power forward / center | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 1 January 1998 Sudan (now South Sudan) |
| Nationality | Australian / South Sudanese |
| High school |
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| 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 | |
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Matur Marial Maker (born on January 1, 1998) is a professional basketball player. He was born in what is now South Sudan but later moved to Australia. Matur played for different high schools in Canada and the United States. He decided to become a professional player instead of going to college. In 2022, he won a championship with the Sydney Kings team. He currently plays for CS Maristes in the Lebanese Basketball League.
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Matur Maker's Early Life
Matur Maker was born in South Sudan on January 1, 1998. He is the younger brother of another basketball player, Thon Maker. When Matur was very young, his uncle helped his family move to Uganda. This was because of a conflict in their home country.
Later, when Matur was four years old, his family found a new home in Perth, Western Australia, as refugees. They still visited South Sudan sometimes. Matur first played soccer at a club where many kids from South Sudan played, including his brother Thon.
When Matur was 13, a basketball scout named Edward Smith noticed him. Matur then moved to live with Smith in Sydney, and later in the United States. His parents agreed to this, and Smith became his official guardian.
High School Basketball Journey
Starting in Virginia
Matur began playing high school basketball at Carlisle School in Martinsville, Virginia. He joined his older brother Thon, who was already playing there. Their guardian, Edward Smith, was also an assistant coach for the team. Smith said that Matur's arrival helped Thon get used to living in the United States.
During his first year, Matur was seen as one of the best young players in the country. He helped Carlisle win a state championship. He also played for Team Loaded VA in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which is a special basketball league for young players.
Moving to Canada
For his second year, Matur left Carlisle. He and his brother Thon decided to go to Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. There, they played for coach Larry Blunt. Another future basketball star, Jamal Murray, was also on their team. Matur was named a second-team all-star in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA).
In 2016–17, Matur moved to The Tech Academy in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. His guardian, Edward Smith, was his coach there. Matur also became teammates with his cousin, Makur Makur. This move allowed Matur to live closer to his brother Thon, who had been picked 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 best player in the game, scoring 25 points and getting six rebounds in only 12 minutes. At another event in August, he averaged 26 points and seven rebounds for his team.
Matur played an extra year of basketball after graduating high school at Mississauga Prep in Mississauga, Ontario, for the 2017–18 season. During this time, he was averaging about 25.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
On January 5, 2018, Matur announced he wanted to try and join the NBA straight from high school. He hoped to follow the same path as his brother Thon. On January 11, he had an amazing game, scoring 45 points and getting 20 rebounds. However, he later decided not to enter the 2018 NBA draft.
Professional Basketball Career
Playing in Switzerland and Slovenia
In August 2018, Matur signed with Union Neuchâtel in Switzerland. He played four games there, averaging 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
In December 2018, he moved to Slovenia and signed with Zlatorog Laško. Matur played 17 games with this team, averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. He helped his team reach the playoffs.
Time in the NBA G League
In October 2019, Matur briefly signed with the Houston Rockets of the NBA, but he was soon released. After that, he joined the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. This team is part of the NBA G League, which is like a development league for the NBA.
Playing in Australia and New Zealand
Matur joined the Denver Nuggets for the 2021 NBA Summer League, which is a chance for players to show their skills.
In August 2021, Matur signed with the Sydney Kings for the 2021–22 NBL season in Australia. He helped the Kings win the NBL championship in 2022.
In May 2022, Matur played three games with the Canterbury Rams in New Zealand. In April 2023, he signed with the Nelson Giants, also in New Zealand.
Recent Teams
In March 2024, Matur played one game for Taipei Fubon Braves in Taiwan. In April 2024, he joined the Rockhampton Rockets in Australia. He was named to the NBL1 North Second Team for his strong performance.
In August 2024, Matur signed with Al-Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. He played three games for them in October 2024.
In January 2025, Matur first signed with a team in Libya. However, a week later, he signed with CS Maristes in the Lebanese Basketball League, where he plays now.
Personal Life
Matur Maker's parents are from the Dinka people in South Sudan. Both of his parents are very tall. His father is about 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters) tall, and his mother is about 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 meters) tall.
His brother, Thon Maker, was picked 10th in the 2016 NBA draft. Another brother, Maker Maker, plays soccer in Australia. Matur also has a cousin named Makur Maker, who plays basketball for the Capital City Go-Go. Another cousin, Aliir Aliir, plays Australian Rules Football.
