Hoops

Thon Maker to stay in high school

How is this a Race issue at all #082 and #086?

All RMQ has done is question his actual age, which is something a LOT of people in WA have been doing. He lived here before NSW.

You cite procedures etc and thats great, but people lie all the time and get away with it. i could go and quote many instances of people on Death Row due to lies, just like your straw man argument with Black QB's. They both serve the same purpose, to try take away from the actual issue.

Same questions were asked of Dikembe Mutombo in the 90's, Thon is not blazing a trail for anyone except himself, as he should.

Shayok - no I'm not a refugee and no I'm not familiar with the process. I am also not an uninformed yobo.

People are quite sensitive about this subject. It's really just a singular case about a singular player at this point.

I've got me information from people in basketball circles, and it is assumption on your behalf to assume they are "jealous".

Either way - if Thon gets picked up high in the draft and makes an impact in the league than it's good for basketball in Australia. And that's what everyone should want.

Everyone acting like I'm saying all refugee players have an unfair advantage. I'm not saying that all.

My point is, I believe that Thon Maker is older than what he is billed at. If the end game is making the NBA he might be a 25-26 year old rookie that's billed as low 20s.

I just find his situation odd, so naturally I speculate. My speculation leads to nothing but conversation. Some people can do it in a constructive manner, others revert to name calling.

And to the comments about 'elite' and domestic etc. Again jumping to conclusions.

In WA we have our State League Clubs. These state league clubs run junior competitions and from these junior competitions they pick out the kids with the most potential to be part of their WA basketball league programs. When I was a junior part of our training was to play as our State league team in older age groups. Is it the best method - maybe I don't know, I'm far removed from it now and don't have kids.

All I know is the system has produced some talents - Cam Tovey, Tom Garlepp, Tom Jervis to name a few that have made it to NBL level.

It's not about Australian kids, it's about NBA teams making million dollar investments on a "kid" who is billed as 19/20 but is actually closer to 25. That's a massive can of worms.

At a more domestic junior level, yeah it's not really fair, but at the same time it should make younger kids better by having to play against physically bigger kids.

I did this as part of my junior development. I'd have a team that plays in my age group in one competition, then they'd have an elite team of all the best kids from that age group in one team playing at a higher age group.

His age had nothing to do with his height. When refugees come over to Australia with no documents/certificates they essentially fill out a form and "guess" the birth date. Then if they move States they apparently sometimes fill out here forms again.

It's not a bad thing. A 12 year old who doesn't speak English can say they are 10 To give them a few years to learn the language etc.

In Thons case it's been heavily rumoured he's about 3-4 years older than his "Birth Certificate".

Take it for you will. This is why many believe he's like 23-24 and its a theory as to why he moved to canada to play as the U.S. was looking to investigate.

These rumours plus "hear say" from the local community in which he used to play Bball with in Perth lead me to personally think he's not the age he is advertised at.

It has nothing to do with racism what so ever.

Maker was just named MVP of the NBA top 100 camp.

Yes

I stop growing at 14.

Aussies are pretty stupid. Sudanese are a pretty tall race and Aussies think that if a kid is tall than he must be over aged.

"Haters. Guy will most likely end up legit and same people will wonder why he doesn't call Australia home!"

bahahaha he already doesn't call Australia home.

Bahaha that's gold

Dude will be like 28 if he ever reaches the league haha

He's going to wait till he's in his 30's to play NCAA?

and he's how old ?????