Thon Maker signs with Houston Rockets: Former Aussie lottery pick returns to NBA | Sporting News Australia

by Admin
October 1, 2024

A former Australian NBA player is back in the league, with Thon Maker signing with the Houston Rockets.

Maker, 27, was announced as an Exhibit 10 signing by the Rockets Wednesday, alongside former NCAA cult hero Markquis Nowell.

This will mark Maker’s second stint in the world’s top league, returning to the NBA after three years spent in various overseas competitions.

Thon Maker signs with Houston Rockets

Thon Maker is back in the NBA, with the 2016 10th overall pick signing with the Houston Rockets.

No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard and new signing Thon Maker are the last Rockets to leave the court, long after Day 1 of training camp has concluded. pic.twitter.com/uc6RZcVOar

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 1, 2024

Maker was incredibly hyped coming into the NBA, but struggled during his first stint in the league – he spent time with Milwaukee, Detroit, and Cleveland between his draft day and 2021.

He then played internationally in Israel, China, and Lebanon, as well as a short stint in the G-League, but has now been given a lifeline back into the NBA.

The Australian joins the Rockets on an Exhibit 10 deal – a non-guaranteed one-year minimum salary contract that will operate as a ‘prove it’ deal to see if he can join the squad.

He joins fellow Australians Jock Landale and Jack McVeigh in Houston, as the team looks to return to playoff basketball.