Thon Maker, 19-year-old phenom?
That was the assumption going into the 2016 NBA Draft. The 7’1” freak of nature had information leak on draft day that he may, in fact, be a few years older than he was listed. The rumor surfaced on Reddit, where a user shared a picture of Maker graduating as a high school senior in 2010.
Some six years later, he was billed as one of the best young prospects in the world.
If Maker really is 23 or 24 years of age, that affects a lot. The formative years of a male body occur in the span of time Maker was backtracking through high school. He began in the 8th grade at age 19, and from that point onwards the lie may have been propagated with ease.
But did the Bucks still make the right decision?
The answer would have to be a resounding ‘Yes.’
What makes Thon Maker a gamble worth taking?
Maker exhibits all the skills of a forward who could dominate as a forward for many years to come. But to expect the 215 pound Maker to add much bulk should likely be written off. That said, Maker appears to be remarkably strong with his thin, wiry frame. And that is why the Bucks can relax on the notion of his age.
He was taken No. 10 overall, and that is the point in the draft where gambles can pay off.
As stated previously, the Bucks have all the weapons at every position. Maker will not start anytime soon, playing behind Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe, and Giannis Antetokoumpo.
The Bucks have plenty of length and size, and Maker fits the profile of the type of player GM Tom Hammonds typically pursues. The pick made all the sense in the world, whether Maker is 19 or 24.
The upside is still there, and Maker has a body made for basketball. It just might not be the kind of body that ever fills out into a legitimate center’s body. That said, the path for him to be a stretch-4 or high post player is definitely there. He has great ball skills and coordination, several factors that cannot be inculcated into a player whose development has stalled out. And who is to say that Maker’s progress has reached any kind of standstill.
While Maker made his way through high school a second time, it was the charm in showing just how good he can really be. Even playing against guys that were a few years younger, the dominance Maker showed proved definitively he has NBA talent. His development will be well worth monitoring as the biggest reach in the 2016 draft class.
Was Milwaukee smart to take the risk?
Milwaukee made the right decision, and whether or not Maker ever develops into an All-Star, the Bucks were wise enough to take the risk that he develops into a star—eventually.
Maker has a long way to go. He must adapt to the NBA and the rigors of an 82-game season.
Right now, the Bucks will simply look for the flashes of talent and skills that we were all privy to in his viral highlight videos. While Maker's age may remain in question, his skill set will not.