FIBA

Following in Thon’s Footsteps, Makur Maker Aims for WASL Glory with Ittihad Club

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Following in Thon's Footsteps, Makur Maker Aims for WASL Glory with Ittihad Club
"Makur Maker Orange Lutheran" by Orange Lutheran High School is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Inspired by his cousin Thon Maker’s success in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL), Makur Maker is ready to make his own mark in the competition. The 6’11” (2.11 M) forward, who is three years younger than Thon, watched his cousin dominate last season. “He dominated the league,” Makur said, acknowledging Thon’s achievement in helping Al Riyadi secure the WASL-West Asia League title and later a stunning championship victory in the 2024 Final 8 in Qatar.

Thon’s journey to the title was remarkable. After a near-miss with Kuwait Club in 2023, he joined Al Riyadi, a top Lebanese team, determined to capture gold. He led them to a hard-fought best-of-3 series win over Shahrdary Gorgan and eventually triumphed over Sagesse in a thrilling 100-90 overtime finale, sealing Al Riyadi’s championship win and earning MVP honors with averages of 18.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 3.2 blocks.

Inspired, Makur, now 23, is eager to bring the same success to Ittihad Club, his team since September. “My top goal is to win a championship for Ittihad and bring one home to this city,” he said, setting high expectations for his first WASL season. Although new to Saudi Arabian basketball, Makur has already experienced elite-level play. His professional career began in 2021 with the Sydney Kings in the NBL’s Next Stars program, where he won a title. Later, he found opportunities in the NBA G-League with Capital City Go-Go and Raptors 905, followed by a stint with China’s Liaoning Arctic Wolves in 2023.

Makur’s journey has been a testament to his resilience and confidence. He first made waves in the U.S. as a five-star high school recruit, becoming the highest-ranked player to commit to an HBCU when he joined Howard University. This competitive edge, shaped by global experiences, fuels his ambition to lead Ittihad to WASL success.

The team’s journey started strong with an 86-64 victory over Al Arabi, debuting in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Green Basketball Court. Makur Maker played an impactful 14 minutes, contributing 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Reflecting on the win, he said, “It was exactly what we needed. We focused on playing defense and starting strong.” With plenty of work ahead, Makur is determined to build on this momentum. “It was a good win in front of the fans, but we still have a lot to work on,” he said, looking forward to the season and, he hopes, many more wins.

Eric

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