:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66942094/1194991217.jpg.0.jpg)
If the Kentucky Wildcats want to add another big man for next season, Makur Maker is one of their last remaining options.
The five-star center out of California is currently testing the NBA Draft waters, but he’s also considering the college route with the Wildcats and UCLA Bruins being strong contenders. The most recent buzz has UCLA leading if Maker does go to college, but Kentucky hasn’t given up hope yet.
According to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim, Kentucky remains in contact for Maker, who isn’t planning to make a decision until August, which is when the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is.
Makur Maker's guardian told me Friday evening that the tentative plan is to make a decision in August, stressed that Kentucky is serious.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 16, 2020
Behind the scenes, UK thinks Maker can be a big-time player and would take him regardless of Sarr's eligibility. https://t.co/6CVD5HqOW2
A consensus five-star prospect, Maker is ranked 17th nationally and the fourth-best center by 247 Sports Composite, which measures all of the major recruiting rankings. After playing at multiple high schools in California (and Ontario at one point), the 6-11, 235-pound Maker spent this past season at Hillcrest Prep in Arizona.
Because he’s a year removed from his graduating high school, Maker was granted special eligibility by the NBA to enter the 2020 draft. But to this point, Maker hasn’t drawn much interest in the pros and is currently projected to go undrafted if he remains in the draft. That’s forced him to take a serious look at attending college for at least one season.
John Calipari is working to make it happen in Lexington, but the odds of Maker landing at Kentucky continue to look slim. Every prediction in the 247 Crystal Ball has Maker going pro and skipping college altogether.
Because Maker is planning to make his decision in August, that will give Kentucky more time to see if Olivier Sarr will be granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA. If Sarr doesn’t get it, then there’s a much easier path for Maker to come in and have a major role next season as Kentucky’s starting center.
If Sarr is eligible, however, then Maker likely has to fight for backup minutes, which I just can’t see him doing if he does go to college.
And be sure to go follow our Twitter page and ‘like’ our Facebook page to get all of the latest Kentucky Wildcats news, views and other fun stuff.