Maker Guardian Edward Smith Gives State Of Union

In 2011, when Kevin Garnett led the historic Boston Celtics to their 17^th NBA championship and confetti fell from the rafters, KG shouted “Anything Is Possible.”

That same rhetoric applies for the past, present and future of Sudanese-Australian high school talent, Thon Maker.

Never before has a top high-school basketball prospect in North America – let alone on the planet –declined playing with an American prep program to only join a Canadian one. 7-footer Thon Maker did just that.

It’s been two months since the biggest high school prospect since Andrew Wiggins arrived north of the border.

That September Friday evening, when Maker pledged allegiance to Athlete Institute, he automatically became a pioneer in Canadian high school basketball history. According to his legal guardian, Edward Smith, the decision was clear from a competitive stand point.

“We had a great two year run at Carlisle – a great school, community and people around there— but we just felt the basketball had to get better,” Smith explained.

“In practice, the next tallest guy was 6’6” Kaleb Johnson, a good player in himself but Thon got away with a lot and dominated practices. You come over to Athlete Institute and you have Kalif Young 6’8”, 240lbs. You have Kyle Alexander 6’9”-6’10”, 7’4” wingspan that can contest, the guards are big so the lanes are closed off; it’s a little more difficult. From a competitive stand point, it’s a better fit,” said Smith.

It was not only demographics on the court but the ingredients off the court provided by Athlete Institute that played a pivotal part in the process of recruiting both Thon and his 6’10” younger brother, Matur Maker.

“From facilities and access to everything that you need to go the furthest within this basketball thing, it is all in-house –  nutritionists, masseuses, physical therapists. And because they have a pro team here (NBL Canada’s Brampton A’s), Orangeville Prep gets access to everything the pro’s get access to. You can’t put a value on that,” said Smith.

Not only does Smith vouch for the competition within the squad and the first-class facilities, but he also believes in the coaching staff running the day-to-day operations at Athlete Institute, located about 45 minutes north of Toronto.

Smith explained, “Head coach Larry Blunt is current in terms of his thinking and in terms of opening up the game. He’s comfortable with Thon pushing the ball up the court. He’s comfortable with Thon and Matur making plays. For him to play Matur at the three at 6’10”— that’s innovative. Coach Blunt will allow both to become better basketball players and not just be boxed in, ” said Smith.

Orangeville Prep Coaching Staff ( L to R): Younis Hussein, Kenan Jorsling, Roger Murray, Edward Smith, Koven Padayachee, Larry Blunt.

Can a couple of Australian imports fit into Canada considering both countries are at opposite spectrum’s of the globe?

“When we came here last year it was a similar vibe. Thon in terms of attitude and lifestyle was like, ‘wow this is so much like Australia’ – kind of laid back – and it has multiple cultures like Australia. Canada has a similar sense in pace to Australia,” said Smith.

Maker’s camp nearly returned to the Institute of Sports in Australia to further develop, but to compete with the best of the best in North America was a desire of Thon’s that kept open the possibility of landing in Canada. His admirable ambition turned out to be America’s loss and Canada’s gain.

“At Athlete Institute we’re right on the border of America and you can get the best of both worlds,” said Smith. “I don’t even know why a Canadian kid would leave with this cropping up here. We play a big time schedule.”

Athlete Institute has yet to release an official schedule for Orangeville Prep but reports have surfaced that they will play in Southern California, Kentucky and North Carolina, among other major American basketball markets. They’ll participate in showcases such as the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame Hoop Hall Classic and will play against the likes of top high schools in America, including Findlay Prep and La Lumiere.

Since Maker’s arrival, many questions have risen from different basketball markets globally; questions Smith tackled transparently at the Athlete Institute media day that took place in late October.

In America, the question is which path will take Maker to his ultimate destination – the NBA. Will he become the first Canadian high school player to jump directly into the NBA draft as an international prospect? Or will he utilize a freshman season in the NCAA before making the leap?

“I always look at things from a perspective of readiness. What you don’t want to do is rush the kid before he’s ready for the process and then he goes and sits on someone’s bench and withers away,” said Smith. When asked about Thon’s draft status, he said, “If a kid is ready and his body is ready, then he is truly ready. Right now Thon’s not ready, I don’t know what Thon will look like in a year or two from now but right now he’s got a lot of talent but isn’t ready.”

Everyone knows Thon and possibly younger brother Matur will someday land in the association. How about in terms of FIBA competition? Down under in Australia, many Aussies are wondering if Maker’s move to Canada for high school could eventually affect his international status.

“We came here for high school basketball and to play a national schedule.  In terms of the whole Australia and Canada thing, that wasn’t part of our consideration here. We have always tried to be accessible to Australia,” said Smith, referring to the obligations to travel back and forth.

“Last year we wanted to play with under 17’s. We also wanted to play on the Under  19 team  preparing now for the Oceania’s, but you have to make a certain amount of practices to play on that team. You don’t just want to join a team and they use you for one tournament and then your locked in,” said Smith about Maker’s international status.

“Unfortunately basketball in Australia is a poorly resourced sport but we just haven’t exhausted all  the possibilities of meeting our obligations to play for Australia to consider other options.”

North of the border, Canada basketball enthusiasts are not only intrigued about his international status, but are also wondering whether he will one day suit up for CIA Bounce – the powerhouse AAU/development program responsible for producing Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Tyler Ennis.

“The guys from Bounce understand that we enjoy being with Team Loaded. Our team was great last year on the circuit overall. It all depends on the rules. If the NCAA rules say we can’t play for our team in Virginia anymore, then we have to look at other options,” said Smith.

Transparent and to the point, it’s clear that Smith is not afraid to tackle questions related to Thon’s future, such as what will it take to ensure Maker and the Orangeville Prep squad have a magical year?

“We’re on the right path.  We preach family – our team supporting the post grad team against Bill Crothers –  that’s family. That’s the first thing. If you’re family, you don’t want to see your brother starve. Nor for them to get beat up.  Just being pros. Being a pro is doing what you’re supposed to do and being where you’re supposed to be all the time,” said Smith.

“For us to have a magical season, that’s what we have to do… be a family, do what we’re supposed to do and be where we’re supposed to be all the time … and we’ll be in good shape,” said Smith.

The journey for Orangeville Prep started Saturday afternoon in Brampton, Ontario. Thon Maker and company defeated the reputable Peel Regional champions D’Youville 73-52. Maker dropped 16 points and collected 9 rebounds. While younger brother Matur registered 9 points and 4 rebounds.

A result that solidified ice has been officially broken on Canadian soil, now let the good times roll in America.

READ MORE: On-On-One With Thon Maker
READ MORE: Thon Maker To Canada

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