ASU basketball remains in hunt for 5-star Thon Maker
First-year coach Bobby Hurley and Arizona State remain in pursuit of Thon Maker, a Top 10 national recruit who could change the direction of the basketball program.
Maker is a 7-foot, 219-pound center who plays for Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada. He started in the 2016 class, but is working to reclassify to 2015, which would make him eligible for the upcoming season. A potential hurdle: In this scenario, Maker would not enroll in college until December, which means he would join his college team just as it's about to open the conference season.
Maker has a final four of ASU, Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas, but Maker's guardian, Ed Smith, recently told ESPN.com and SNY.tv that he talks most with the Sun Devils and Hoosiers. Smith also told SNY.tv that both schools have a plan that would keep Maker -- who some consider a one-and-done candidate -- on campus for at least a season and a half.
"Coach Hurley feels that (Maker) can be a program-changer, he'll be their signature kid," Smith told SNY.tv. "He can come in and really have a chance to learn. Same thing with the mid-year and having a plan in terms of that. He feels that people will see that type of commitment and that will really put them on the map in terms of where they're going."
ASU got involved with Maker after Hurley added Brian Merritt to his coaching staff last month. Merritt – who previously worked at John Lucas Enterprises in Houston – has known Maker for a while and is close with Smith, the center's guardian. Maker has yet to visit ASU.
With only nine scholarship players in place for the 2015-16 season, ASU has roster flexibility. The Sun Devils also are pursuing former North Carolina State big man Kyle Washington, but because of NCAA transfer rules, he would have to sit out this season. As a sophomore last season, Washington started 18 times, averaging 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Maker would give the Sun Devils a center they have not often had. A gifted athlete, he runs the floor well and has a shooting touch that extends to 3-point range. His biggest challenge before entering college: Adding muscle.
He has a big decision to make.
"It's a little stressful because your mind is running," Maker told Peegs.com, the Rivals Indiana-based affiliate. "You have people telling you to hurry up and stuff like that, but I have to be ready, so I have to finish my (academic) credits. I can't play if I don't finish my credits.
"I really have to focus on that part. In terms of the basketball side, I let my guardian handle the coaches so I can focus on getting better, so it's not always stressful."