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Australian basketball.

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Aussies in the NBA
  • Index
    • NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA IN THE NBA
    ​
    Dyson DanielsAtlanta Hawks5
    Alex DucasOKC Thunder88
    Dante ExumDallas Mavericks5
    Johnny FurphyIndiana Pacers12
    Josh GiddeyChicago Bulls3
    Joe InglesMinnesota Timberwolves7
    Kyrie Irving *Dallas Mavericks2
    Jock LandaleHouston Rockets2
    Thon MakerHouston Rockets15
    Jack McVeighAlso of the Houston Rockets58
    Patty millsUtah Jazz8
    Duop ReathPortland Trailblazers28
    Ben SimmonsBrooklyn Nets10
    Matisse ThybullePortland Trailblazers4
    Luke TraversCleveland Cavaliers33
    Josh GreenCharlotte Hornets10
     
    Last edited:
  • Index
    • matthedocker said:
    I know for a fact that he is 4 years older than he is presenting. I know how that looks on an interwebs forum, but I know someone who taught him from year 8 to year 12, and then he went to the states as a year 8
    Click to expand...

    It comes across exactly how you think it comes across. I've just don't a quick search of the net and other than a couple of forum posts elsewhere (which have absolutely no basis other than saying "rumoured") I have not seen any legitimate source where this question is even raised, let alone given any credibility.

    Just to add to the posts above - even if Thon was older than stated, and even if this was some sort of tactic by his guardian - the way you are suggesting is very much implausible - in fact probably the worst way to try and do it.
    Pretty sure if you go from a school in Australia to a school in the states - they will ask for your records and reports. You can't just fake those things. Also - whatever passport he used to go from Australia to the states would have his official birthdate on it - which would be visible in both countries. What you are suggesting just doesn't make sense, unless he changed his name and forged a new set of identity documents - which would be so ducking illegal that there is no way his guardian would risk it.
    ---

    I don't know much about Makers personal history, so I'm only talking in generalities - but the only plausible way for his aged to be faked is on arrival into Australia via the refugee process. Often when people are coming through as refugees, particularly if it is by the way of refugee camps, they don't have any official paperwork - no id, no birth certificates, definitely no passports (if they are lucky they may have some of these) - if a mistake was made with his age - that is the time it would be done... but once you enter Australia and receive official paperwork (even if a birthdate is estimated, which is not uncommon)- that's it... you can't then change that when moving from here to the USA.
     
    In any case even if he is 4 years older, it doesn't mean squat if he is/isn't good enough to make it in the NBA. His skills will define how his career pans out, not his age.
     
    HawkintheTuarts said:
    Would like him to show some sign of consistency beyond the paint before the season is finished. LSU suck bad though so may be an early finish for him.
    Click to expand...

    I agree, but with the way he has been playing - does he need to? And will it be better or worse for his team if he did?

    Also - will his shooting be the difference between being 1st & 2nd pick? Or is it the difference between being a projected all-star, or projected superstar? (from everything ive read its the latter... In which case i don't think its as big an issue now as people make out and he can work on it over the next few years - just as lebron did)
     

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    No Div 1 college player has averaged 15/10/5 in the last 20 years.

    Simmons is currently 19.1/13.1/5.8

    Without the NCAA/NIT tournament , he'd have to average 13.7/8.7/4.7 in the last 19 games to hit that mark.

    I meant Sec tournament
     
    Last edited:
    Sidebottom2Beams said:
    No Div 1 college player has averaged 15/10/5 in the last 20 years.

    Simmons is currently 19.1/13.1/5.8

    Without the NCAA/NIT tournament , he'd have to average 13.7/8.7/4.7 in the last 19 games to hit that mark.
    Click to expand...

    Simmons's stats and performances are clearly impressive, but no-one reaching 15/10/5 really surprises me. 20/15/5 sounds like incredible if he can reach it, but to me 15/10/5 doesn't sound that outstanding - but clearly I'm wrong.

    I mean, even Kyle Anderson almost reached it as a soph. (14.6/8.8/6.5), surprises me no ones done 15/10/5... but yeah, would be great (and very likely) that Simmons will be the first... do you know who the last was?
     
    didaksrightfoot said:
    Simmons's stats and performances are clearly impressive, but no-one reaching 15/10/5 really surprises me. 20/15/5 sounds like incredible if he can reach it, but to me 15/10/5 doesn't sound that outstanding - but clearly I'm wrong.

    I mean, even Kyle Anderson almost reached it as a soph. (14.6/8.8/6.5), surprises me no ones done 15/10/5... but yeah, would be great (and very likely) that Simmons will be the first... do you know who the last was?
    Click to expand...

    No idea who was the last to do it.
    It could have been 30 years ago Magic never did it nor did Penny or Grant Hill. I will have to do some research.

    Larry Bird did in his 3rd year of college in 78/79 as did Oscar Robinson

    2 players in the last 20 year have averaged 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

    Shaun Stonerook from Ohio and Trenton Hassel from Austin Peay, both mid majors.

    That's from Chad Ford talking about Simmons numbers
     
    Last edited:
    didaksrightfoot said:
    It comes across exactly how you think it comes across. I've just don't a quick search of the net and other than a couple of forum posts elsewhere (which have absolutely no basis other than saying "rumoured") I have not seen any legitimate source where this question is even raised, let alone given any credibility.

    Just to add to the posts above - even if Thon was older than stated, and even if this was some sort of tactic by his guardian - the way you are suggesting is very much implausible - in fact probably the worst way to try and do it.
    Pretty sure if you go from a school in Australia to a school in the states - they will ask for your records and reports. You can't just fake those things. Also - whatever passport he used to go from Australia to the states would have his official birthdate on it - which would be visible in both countries. What you are suggesting just doesn't make sense, unless he changed his name and forged a new set of identity documents - which would be so ducking illegal that there is no way his guardian would risk it.
    ---

    I don't know much about Makers personal history, so I'm only talking in generalities - but the only plausible way for his aged to be faked is on arrival into Australia via the refugee process. Often when people are coming through as refugees, particularly if it is by the way of refugee camps, they don't have any official paperwork - no id, no birth certificates, definitely no passports (if they are lucky they may have some of these) - if a mistake was made with his age - that is the time it would be done... but once you enter Australia and receive official paperwork (even if a birthdate is estimated, which is not uncommon)- that's it... you can't then change that when moving from here to the USA.
    Click to expand...

    Look, I dont know what to tell you mate. It happened.
     
    didaksrightfoot said:
    It comes across exactly how you think it comes across. I've just don't a quick search of the net and other than a couple of forum posts elsewhere (which have absolutely no basis other than saying "rumoured") I have not seen any legitimate source where this question is even raised, let alone given any credibility.

    Just to add to the posts above - even if Thon was older than stated, and even if this was some sort of tactic by his guardian - the way you are suggesting is very much implausible - in fact probably the worst way to try and do it.
    Pretty sure if you go from a school in Australia to a school in the states - they will ask for your records and reports. You can't just fake those things. Also - whatever passport he used to go from Australia to the states would have his official birthdate on it - which would be visible in both countries. What you are suggesting just doesn't make sense, unless he changed his name and forged a new set of identity documents - which would be so ducking illegal that there is no way his guardian would risk it.
    ---

    I don't know much about Makers personal history, so I'm only talking in generalities - but the only plausible way for his aged to be faked is on arrival into Australia via the refugee process. Often when people are coming through as refugees, particularly if it is by the way of refugee camps, they don't have any official paperwork - no id, no birth certificates, definitely no passports (if they are lucky they may have some of these) - if a mistake was made with his age - that is the time it would be done... but once you enter Australia and receive official paperwork (even if a birthdate is estimated, which is not uncommon)- that's it... you can't then change that when moving from here to the USA.
    Click to expand...

    Also dude, there is a fair bit on the internet about it, one of the first links i clicked in face http://www.coxhub.com/articles/theres-still-a-lot-to-learn-about-thon-maker

    I have had a lot to do with basketball playing Sudanese in western australia, this ISNT a story im just making up.
     
    matthedocker said:
    Look, I dont know what to tell you mate. It happened.
    Click to expand...

    matthedocker said:
    Also dude, there is a fair bit on the internet about it, one of the first links i clicked in face http://www.coxhub.com/articles/theres-still-a-lot-to-learn-about-thon-maker

    I have had a lot to do with basketball playing Sudanese in western australia, this ISNT a story im just making up.
    Click to expand...

    Look I'm not saying what you are suggesting is or isn't true... I'm just saying that I am justifiably cynical about most things that are posted on the net, and on forums.
    Also, as a number of us have said - at the end of the day, his age is not really gonna be a big issue - it will come down to whether he shows the qualities of being an NBA talent.
    Remember also that NBA rookies range from College Freshman to Seniors - there is already a 4-year age range amongst rookies. Age may effect how teams rate your potential, and that may change how high (or if) someone gets drafted - but once you are there, the age won't be a factor.
    ---

    Also, call me cynical, and I'm sorry to have to be frank but you keep pushing the point - (and just to be clear: is it you who knows this through your dealings with "basketball playing Sudanese" or is it through your mate that is a teacher?) but I also question the motivation of people who post about having "inside knowledge". Many of us have had plenty of dealings with current, or former, AFL players. (Given this is an AFL forum site). Australia, and its cities, are not particularly big places, particularly when many of us are in the same age-range as footballers. The thing is 99% of people keep these things private - we don't try and get ourselves some fake internet points because of it.
    ---

    Anyway - that's my take, that's why I am, and will remain, cynical - no matter what you say to try and justify.
    Its why I also don't think its particularly relevant.

    You won't be able to change what I think without any actual evidence, and I won't be able to change what you apparently know is the truth - lets just leave it at that.
     
    didaksrightfoot said:
    Look I'm not saying what you are suggesting is or isn't true... I'm just saying that I am justifiably cynical about most things that are posted on the net, and on forums.
    Also, as a number of us have said - at the end of the day, his age is not really gonna be a big issue - it will come down to whether he shows the qualities of being an NBA talent.
    Remember also that NBA rookies range from College Freshman to Seniors - there is already a 4-year age range amongst rookies. Age may effect how teams rate your potential, and that may change how high (or if) someone gets drafted - but once you are there, the age won't be a factor.
    ---

    Also, call me cynical, and I'm sorry to have to be frank but you keep pushing the point - (and just to be clear: is it you who knows this through your dealings with "basketball playing Sudanese" or is it through your mate that is a teacher?) but I also question the motivation of people who post about having "inside knowledge". Many of us have had plenty of dealings with current, or former, AFL players. (Given this is an AFL forum site). Australia, and its cities, are not particularly big places, particularly when many of us are in the same age-range as footballers. The thing is 99% of people keep these things private - we don't try and get ourselves some fake internet points because of it.
    ---

    Anyway - that's my take, that's why I am, and will remain, cynical - no matter what you say to try and justify.
    Its why I also don't think its particularly relevant.

    You won't be able to change what I think without any actual evidence, and I won't be able to change what you apparently know is the truth - lets just leave it at that.
    Click to expand...

    "Fake internet points" Ok dude. I am genuinely concerned about it, cause he will likely have a Shabazz like controversy attached to his draft.

    I agree that he can still make it in the league despite his age concerns.

    The "dealings" are through my work as a basketball coach.

    Be cynical dude, no problems with that. Im not sure what you think I have to gain by making up a story like this though. Where do I redeem my internet points?
     

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    captain cotch 9 said:
    Why didn't Dante go through the college system?
    Click to expand...

    Because his draft stocks were so fricking high at that point- and the garaunteed NBA salary and high draft position were likely too attractive to risk going to college.

    Personally i have this romantic notion that all players should get 4 years of college development before going pro (with some "Ed OBannon" rule changes re $$$ etc.) - but clearly a player needs to make the right decision for them, and Exums decision made a lot of sense for career reasons (not necessarily development - but that can be argued)
     
    Interacted with Thon Maker and his younger brother this year when they came down to Melbourne recently. They are both so young if you look at their faces they aren't as aged as some iffy Africans that we've seen before.

    Rumours may have been spread or just assumption is maybe they've grown so quickly at a young age and being so tall people jump at the conclusion that they've faked their age.

    You definitely know when you're talking to a teenager in comparison to a mid 20's bloke. Watch some of Thon's old videos and interview a few years ago and see for yourself. There is no way he could've been 20+ as someone suggested.
     
    didaksrightfoot said:
    Because his draft stocks were so fricking high at that point- and the garaunteed NBA salary and high draft position were likely too attractive to risk going to college.

    Personally i have this romantic notion that all players should get 4 years of college development before going pro (with some "Ed OBannon" rule changes re $$$ etc.) - but clearly a player needs to make the right decision for them, and Exums decision made a lot of sense for career reasons (not necessarily development - but that can be argued)
    Click to expand...

    REALLY?? Interested to know why you would want players good enough for the NBA to stay in college 4 whole years. This is an opinion not very popular anymore. Personally, I'm ok with what they have now, but if any changes were made I would bring it back to older years where they could get drafted out of high school. Seems to work fine for MLB
     

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