Thon Maker has been one of the most talked about recruits in the 2016 class, and a lot of the talk has had nothing to do with his talent level. Maker is facing some eligibility issues, and it has clouded his recruitment because schools are unsure if he will be able to play.
Maker was initially considering reclassifying to the 2015 class because he was on track to graduate from high school. The seven-footer also considered spending a year overseas before entering the NBA draft, but now it seems like he is fully intent on playing college basketball in the 2016-17 season and plans to be eligible.
As for where Maker will be playing college basketball, that is unclear, but it is starting to become a little clearer. Maker has already had an official visit to Kansas, but he recently scheduled to officially visit UNLV, Arizona State and Notre Dame within the next couple of months. Ed Smith, Maker's guardian, said that the plan was for Maker to make a decision after his visit to Notre Dame, which will be on April 25.
The Sudanese native has taken unofficial visits to St. Johns and Indiana, as well, but there are no official visits planned to either. Smith said that if time permits, they will try to go to one or both schools, but that doesn't seem likely.
The two schools that seem to be out in front in terms of getting a commitment from Maker are Kansas and Arizona State. Kansas is there because Maker has already had his official there, but it seems as though Arizona State is the prohibitive favorite for the five-star power forward.
The Sun Devils currently have two commitments for 2016 from four-stars Sam Cuncliffe and Jethro Tshisumpa. With those two already signed, Arizona State has the 35th ranked class in the nation, but adding Maker would move them up big time and mark Bobby Hurley's first major recruit since taking over as head coach. Maker is ranked as the 10th best player overall in the 2016 class and the second best power forward.
Maker is very versatile for a seven-footer. The 19-year-old can step out and hit perimeter jumpers while also not being afraid to bump bodies down low. He still needs to add more bulk and improve his rebounding, but he is already projected to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, so there is considerable talent there, and whichever school gets him will have a much brighter outlook because of it.
