Former "Unicorn" Bucks Lottery Pick Wants Back In NBA

As the No. 10 pick in the 2016 lottery, and with a 7'3" wingspan, he came into the league with huge expectations. But at just 23 years old, the NBA career of Thon Maker petered out when he was waived over a year ago. Now the big man wants back in. 

The now 24-year-old had signed a contract to play in Israel last summer, but he's returned to the States, signing a G League contract, with the hopes of landing another NBA job. 

The Milwaukee Bucks selected him with their lottery pick in 2016, and was thought at the time to be a "unicorn" of unprecedented proportions, with back-to-the-basket abilities, handles, plus a smooth jumper, not to mention his rim-protecting abilities. 

This video went viral back in 2015, when Maker sent the crowd into a FRENZY at the Las Vegas Fab 48 event.

He merely breaks a defender's ankles then steps back and hits the jumper like it was nothing.

Bucks fans were salivating. Maker played a mostly disappointing 2 1/2 seasons there, averaging less than 5 points and less than 3 rebounds in about 15 minutes per game. He traded to the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2018-19 season. 

He spent a year-and-a-half in Detroit, then played just 8 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2020 before being waived. 

Maker is hoping his G League trial secures him another shot at the NBA.