Deng Adel & Deng Deng (Santo) are making headlines over there too. Plenty of talent coming through the ranks.

if you're anybody with a brain at BA, you get this kid in a Boomers or other international singlet at any type of tournamnt and play him 1 minute off the bench to lock him up.

(apologies if it's already been done).

I meant if anyone knew about any u16 or u18 Sudanese in Australia that we could keep here and develop. It seems like there is great potential in the community.

Thon makers boomers prospects are up in the air really, sure he cant play for Sudan.. but there is a chance he could end up with US citizenship and one day playing for them as a lovely way to thank Australia for our hospitality. Basketball Australia actually released an article about Thon Maker.. the first time BA has tried to connect Thon with Australia.. lets hope its a good sign. I think you get him on a rep team basically immediately.

Agree GWB, get him in under 17/19 team asap.

Disagree totally! He has taken a different course, good luck to him but he has been guided by people who have him on the pathway to success outside that of the usual B.A. via State programs etc...

If the kid chooses, or continues to be taken to the top without being keen to partake or not having the need to be exposed within our Australian junior pathways, then leave him to it and focus on the kids here, that will benefit more from the assistance.

Funding is not extensive, do we really want to force him into a junior team at the expense of a kid who has busted a gut to be there, poor form that would be IMO...

If he is as good as it is projected, he will be fine, if he wants to play for Australia, he will... If he wants to!??

I agree with GWB. The focus must be on local talent that remain in Australia. It seems as if Thon Maker is being well developed and on his way to success. There are other Aussies in colleges in the US that are being developed further. I think the future is even brighter than Canada with all the upcoming talent. Communities like the Sudanese or other unfunded areas need to be scouted for potential Thon Makers that we can keep in Australia. One thing that came to mind is that I think Thon and Ben may think about returning sooner if Dante is drafted high.

Could thong maker play at the world champs for Australia?

Curtley.. He is 16.. it probably wouldn't be the best idea. But I would have him in some tours and the china series etc next year.

I thought that Thon Maker chap was like 21 years old? Hes done high school twice? How long is this facade going to carry on?

They are great athletes and lets hope a few of them can go on to great things for Aussie ball but let's not over hype them or bag them as they are still kids.

Can someone, perhaps @#456444, explain to me how ITC programs are about making money/are funded generally?

I understood most kids in ITC were there effectively FOC, or for training court costs. I realise they pay to be in state teams or go to tournaments, but do they pay for ongoing tuition etc.?

I am not challenging the view, but generally interested in how the programs are funded. A breakdown of what an ITC kid pays would be interesting for example.

learn from this lesson. I can see many talents out there of background from migrants but still doubt if BA will take them seriously

For the fact, many of the Sudanese kids were given these opportunities i.e. NITP scholarships, selection in state teams, including names mentioned above. It is a personal decision these kids take to follow a different pathway, in this case through the US high school system. High schools in the State provide good scholarships including the exposure to the Colleges, which BA can't match in any regard.

Bringing these kids for a minute "to lock them in" is IMO cheating, let them follow their own dreams - if they want to play for Australia, let them be it their own decision. To my knowledge there is a Sudanese kid at CoE at the moment so hopefully he will pave the way for others.

ask yourselves : do you want half of the Boomers roster are of Sundanese background?

because competition wise, it's possible.

Whatever your answer is, will be the same of BA's.

Anon 456536

Casual racism?? Come on mate that's just an ignorant and bigoted way of shutting down any kind of debate! Questioning someone's age is not racist in any way, shape or form. People have a right to ask these types of questions without being shouted down as racist.

Picking the players up for a minute isn't cheating, and they wouldn't be forced into it. So that argument just sounds foolish

Kouat Noi out of Newcastle - hearing good things about him. Will be one to watch at 18 Nationals.

and for everyone's benefit, these Sudanese kids should consider changing their names to more Australian sounding one. Its for their own good, marketability wise and some others. Thon Maker' name is not too bad. Like he's destined to be a Maker of $$$millions.

It'll be hard to believe that descendants of Michael Jordan had the same western surname since their arrivals from year 1619.

So Ricey - hypothetically you are a young basketballer everyone talking about and the whole world wants you, promising you whatever you want, endless opportunities, blah blah... so your argument is that you should be asked to play for a minute to lock yourself in and limit your options?!? And you would certainly accept it :)

Realistically, I would promise you the world on a plate and then lock you in for a minute so you can't play for anyone else. Should I care about you after? I guess not, I got my job done...

Foolish argument, maybe...


These Sudanese kids have a great potential but are clearly directed by either their current advisers or financial situation. Obviously some find a way to excel, Thon Maker, Deng Adel, they are in the states all doing their thing. I certainly hope they will succeed and one day wish to play for Australia and actually be given this opportunity, not simply lock them in. Whether they will meet the expectations - this is a discussion for some other time.

Change their names? Are you serious, that gives them a unique identity so they stand out. The last thing we need is another 'Jason Smith' or 'Damien Martin.'

yes, it was the dumbest thing for a long long long long long time. thank you

I'm really not sure what all the fuss is about with these kids... OK they are athletic, but realistically there's only ever been one Sudanese player GLOBALLY that could contribute to the boomers and that's Luol Deng!
Based on their maximum ceilings - I'm taking Joe Ingles and Andrew Bogut over any of these guys any day of the week.
Thanks

What about the great Ater Majok :)

He finishes high school in 2016 and would be a bit raw for international ball but by 2019 he would be a chance for boomers imo.

Have spotted a rumour on nbadraft.net that Thon Maker and his brother could join Ben Simmons at Montverde Academy next season. Obviously a rumour at this stage but would be good if true

Daniel Mading impressed recently at rising sophomores camp. Being touted as a top 50 prospect in class of 2017.