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Thon Maker to remain in the Class of 2016

Thon Maker

AP Photo

AP

Thon Maker

AP Photo

AP

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Thon Maker made it official on Thursday night as he announced that he will not be enrolling in college until the 2016-17 season. There had been speculation that the top five prospect would graduate from Orangeville Prep (Canada) in December, in time to enroll in college for the second semester of next season.

Now that’s off the table.

“I’m definitely going to stay and play [the year] out,” said Maker, who is the No. 9 player in the Class of 2015, according to Rivals. “I’ll take my visits and play a year with my brother. I’m definitely going to stay in [the Class of] 2016.”

“I tried to go into the 2015 class, it just didn’t work out.”

According to Maker, the issue centered around his workload. Between trying to reclassify to 2015 and living the life of an elite basketball prospect, he was worn out.

“For me, it was just trying to get it all done at once,” he said. “Especially combined with traveling and just getting better. It all just clogs up your mind and you get stressed out, so I had to cut back on a few things.”

Maker also said that a chance to play a season with his younger brother Matur played a major role in his decision.

The elder Maker, who is Sudanese by way of Australia, has long been one of the most coveted recruits in the country. That reputation certainly wasn’t hurt by his play this week, as he has played as well as he has in a long time. He’s been aggressive and assertive, blocking shots, rebounding the ball and showing off the shooting stroke that makes the 7-foot-1 forward so tantalizing. He had 19 pints, five boards (four offensive), three assists, three blocks and two steals in Thursday’s early game, following that up with another dominant performance in the nightcap.

There are still those that assume that he’ll never make it to a college campus, however. Maker did not mention any list on Thursday, but his guardian, Ed Smith, has said that Arizona State and Indiana are the leaders to land his services.