Feature: 19-year-old Thon Maker thrilled to be in NBA

Milwaukee Bucks rookie Thon Maker visited Air Canada Centre for the first time as an NBA player on Monday evening when his team squared off against Toronto Raptors.

While Bucks ultimately lost by a score of 122-100, the event was more than just a basketball game for 19-year-old native of Sudan. Ten months ago, he attended the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in Toronto as a fan. Four months later, his name was called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after Milwaukee Bucks selected him with the 10th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

"It felt good because I just came from being a fan of the NBA to now playing in the NBA," Maker said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua after the game. "Tonight was special because my family was there watching and I was out of Canada here, so it was real special."

Maker's journey to the NBA started on Feb. 25, 1997 when he was born in the city of Wau in the African nation of Sudan. At the age of five, he fled Sudan as a refugee during the civil war to Perth, Australia. By 2011, Maker left for the United States to pursue basketball more seriously and led his Virginia school to a state championship.

In September 2014, Maker was on the move again, relocating to the Canadian town of Mono, situated 85 kilometres north of Air Canada Centre, to be reunited with his coach from Australia. He enrolled in Orangeville District Secondary School, a nearby high school which would be his final stop before the NBA.

Presently, Maker is the sixth youngest player in the NBA and is seldomly used by head coach Jason Kidd. In 23 games so far this season, the 2.16-metre-tall forward has stepped on the court seven times for a total of 25 minutes.

Despite the limited playing time, the 19-year-old rookie has impressed his coach and teammates with his work ethic.

"He's doing great. He's a competitor, young and going to make mistakes," praised head coach Jason Kidd. "He loves the game of basketball and works extremely hard."

Combined with his 2.23-meter-long wing span, ability to shoot and handle the ball, Maker provides Milwaukee with all the tools to replicating the success of teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is having an All-Star calibre year in his fourth season in the league.

Antetokounmpo also enjoys Maker's presence in the locker room and sees the potential between himself and him teammate.

"He's getting better every day. His work ethic is unbelievable, that's why I like him being around this team," Antetokounmpo told Xinhua after Monday's loss to Toronto. "You cannot teach the body and the frame. You got that or you don't. He has that and is still developing his skills. I feel that moving forward when he develops them, he's going to be a big threat in this league."

For now, Maker is content with being in Antetokounmpo's shadow while his own game continues to grow over time.

"Having Giannis beside, as one of our main guys, we got to look at him as a leader and help him grow, because he's going to help us grow," Maker said. "Having him beside me, he's a big piece and I got to listen and learn from him.

With the team in contention for a playoff spot, Maker understands that his minutes will be limited.

"I'm playing when I get my chance. My coaching staff are putting me in the right spots to be successful," said a positive Maker. "Every day I'm playing one-on-one with these guys in practice and going hard. I'm getting better."

Maker has taken a long journey to achieve his dream of reaching the NBA and is thrilled with the experience to date.

"Everything happens step-by-step in phases," said Maker. "It's been really fun for me because it's everything I wanted and it's going my direction." Endit