SPORTS

Maker's guardian: UK combine 'a game-changer'

Steve Jones
@stevejones_cj
  • Calipari%27s combine was an example of %27thinking outside the box%2C%27 Thon Maker%27s guardian said
  • UK and Indiana are in line to receive visits from Maker - No. 1 in the 2016 class
  • The Hoosiers have made Maker a big priority%3B they%27re also recruiting his little brother
  • Thon Maker still weighing whether to stay in 2016 or jump to the senior class

John Calipari's pro combine – with about 90 NBA scouts watching the Wildcats' televised practice – was a "game-changer" for how colleges showcase their pro prospects, said the guardian of top-ranked junior Thon Maker, the 7-foot phenom who seems destined to hear his name called during the NBA draft someday.

Maker's guardian, Ed Smith, said Saturday at the John Lucas Midwest Invitational camp at Hoops that UK, Indiana, Kansas, Stanford, Missouri and Maryland are recruiting Maker the "heaviest."

As for the Wildcats, Calipari's combine on Friday afternoon was further evidence, Smith said, that the coach knows how to promote and handle elite talent.

Team Freedom's Thon Maker #24 in action against Team Liberty during the Under Armour Elite 24 Game on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Brooklyn, NY.  (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

"That was different, and that was really thinking outside the box," he said. "It's really giving kids in your program an opportunity to realistically see where you are that early. It's great for kids to see ... how much better they can get within a period of time."

Smith's reaction to dozens of scouts showing up to watch a single Kentucky practice?


Story continues after this short video showing what Maker could do at age 14

Maker, who attends the Athlete Institute in Ontario, Canada, figures to be a prime candidate to need just one season of college ball before entering the NBA draft, and Calipari has developed a reputation as the game's most successful recruiter of one-and-done players.

"There are programs that have dealt with players such as Thon," Smith said. "I think what you do is (look at) the experience of the coach and the experience of the situation, and (UK) gives him an opportunity to be under the wings that type of leadership. That's one of the aspects that attracts Thon.

"There's also the aspect of having the opportunity to carve out something himself, to be special in that situation. That's important to him to have a leadership role."

UK and IU are schools Maker has never visited but will when schedules permit, Smith said. Smith said it's possible they will visit UK midseason while Athlete Institute is in Kentucky to play in the Marshall County Hoop Fest and McCracken County's Mustang Madness.

Smith said the University of Louisville, which has also offered Thon Maker a scholarship, has not made any recent recruiting contact.

Maker has already toured Duke, Kansas, Missouri and UCLA, and Smith said he'll probably visit Kansas again because the first trip was brief.

Smith said KU's Bill Self is the head coach who has been "most present" during Maker's recruitment. Calipari and IU's Tom Crean have not visited Maker in Canada this fall, although their assistants have.

First-year IU assistant Chuck Martin, who last season worked for the Oklahoma Thunder, has made Maker a major priority.

"Chuck's a really good guy. He's really personable," Smith said. "He gives you a lot of insight (into the NBA). He doesn't slam you (by calling too much). … I think he understands the process."

Smith said he and Maker have watched film of the Hoosiers and like how Crean has used elite big men Noah Vonleh and Cody Zeller.

"He'll lift them, put them in different situations where he can go with the pick-and-roll," Smith said.

IU has also made an early offer to Maker's 6-9 brother, Matur, an intriguing prospect in the 2017 class who looked much improved at the Lucas camp since the summer. Like his brother, Matur Maker is tall and long but also fast and fluid, and Smith said Matur's natural position is small forward. This season will be the first time Matur has ever been a featured player, and Smith expects him to shine.

"When they're recruiting your brother, even if he's not going to be there (when you are), it shows recognition of (Matur's) talent," Smith said."Matur's very talented. … Matur's best basketball is ahead of him. When coaches come in the gym and see him, they get the 'wow' factor from him."

Maker has made no decision on whether to reclassify to 2015 – a move, that if it were to occur, would shake up the top of the national recruiting scene. Maker transferred to Athlete Institute from a school in Virginia this year, and he's still getting adjusted to his coursework and basketball schedule. Smith said Maker will be in a better position in the second semester to gauge his academic and athletic progress.

"I wouldn't say it's a lean thing (one way or the other)," Smith said. "If you're physically ready and have finished your core (academic) work, you can move up, but there's no need to rush in terms of this whole thing."

One reason not to rush, Smith noted, is Maker is in a great situation to train at Athlete Institute, which shares facilities with the pro club the Brampton A's, for whom Smith is a scout.

Steve Jones can be reached at (502) 582-7176 and followed on Twitter at @SteveJones_CJ.