Thon Maker is eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft.
“Thon is cleared,” his guardian Ed Smith told SNY.tv.
The NBA had been investigating whether the 7-footer originally from the Sudan was eligible. Draft-eligible players need to be 19 and one year removed from high school graduation. Maker is spending a post-graduate year at Athlete Institute.
He hopes to be invited to the NBA Draft Combine May 11-15 in Chicago.
Maker had originally planned to attend college and was considering Kansas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Arizona State and St. John’s but opted to declare for the Draft on April 3.
“When I found out I had the opportunity to enter this year’s draft it was a no brainer to me,” Maker previously told DraftExpress.com. “I’ve always had the dream of playing in the NBA and I feel that I am ready.”
The site currently has Maker projected at No. 40, but an NBA executive previously told SNY.tv he could go in the first round.
“I do see someone selecting him in the first round for sure,” the executive said. “Let’s hope he goes to college and is not eligible for the NBA Draft.”
**For more on Thon Maker, check out Fran Fraschilla’s comments on The 4 Quarters Podcast.
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