There were no laughably flamboyant suits or diamond-studded loafers at last week’s NBA Draft, nor any random player from Brazil popping out of the stands or a Czech lottery pick consummating his selection with a passionate make-out session. So instead the comedy from one of the most consistently comedic nights on the sporting calendar came from elsewhere.
Thon Maker is a 7-footer who represents the truly global nature of the game in 2016. Born in Sudan before immigrating to Australia, Maker eventually made pit stops at high schools in Louisiana, Virginia and Ontario. He burst into the basketball consciousness a little more than two years ago, when mixtapes of Maker looking like a young Kevin Durant began to pop up on YouTube, describing him as “REVOLUTIONARY” and an “incredible sophomore.” He handled the ball like a point guard, shot it like wing, and blocked shots like the 7-foot stringbean he was and is.