Top Basketball Recruit Makur Maker Chooses Howard University Over UCLA & Kentucky

Top Basketball Recruit Makur Maker Chooses Howard University Over UCLA & Kentucky

One of the top high school basketball recruits in the country, Makur Maker, is making waves in the sports world! Today (July 3rd) Makur Maker announced his highly anticipated decision on which college he’ll be lending his talents to. That college is the historically Black university – Howard University. MakMaker told Twitter followers:

“I was the 1st to announce my visit to Howard & other started to dream “what if”. I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow. I hope I inspire guys like Mikey Williams to join me on this journey. I am committing to Howard U & coach Kenny Blakeney #MakerMob”

He continued, noting he chose Howard over heralded basketball programs at University of California-Los Angeles and University of Kentucky:

“I want to thank Coach Cal and Coach KP of University of Kentucky Coach Cronin of UCLA and coach Hardaway of Memphis for considering me. It was a tough choice.”

Makur Maker’s opt to play for an HBCU is a big deal due to the fact that the Kenya native is the highest-ranked college basketball prospect to commit to an HBCU since 2007. His guardian Ed Smith told ESPN that Howard University felt like home to Makur:

“A lot of people are comfortable with familiarity. Kids could say, ‘I would feel welcome that I’m not just an athlete – I’m part of a community.’ On the visit at Howard, that was the main difference. Just for me on the outside looking in, he’s part of the fabric. You’re not just the athlete or the Black athlete.”

As a 6’11” big man, the high school senior is considered an extremely versatile player. The cousin of Detroit Pistons player Thon Maker averaged 14.7 points and 7.9 rebounds on the Adidas grassroots circuit last season. He shoots at a staggering 73%.

What are your thoughts on Makur Maker’s big decision? Let us know in the comments.