Comparison Between 'Deng And Thon Maker'

Gun shots, death, the smell of dead bodies, famine, the constant reminder that death is around the corner are just some of the things that everyday civilians experience in the South Sudan which is torn apart due to a civil war that has killed an estimated 1.9 civilians between 1992-1995. According to UNICEF an estimated 15-16K children have been used by armed forces. Despite these harsh realities South Sudan has given birth to basketball legends such as the late Manute Bol, and current NBA players such as Luol Deng, and Thon Maker. These players left their homelands in search of a better life. Currently, Bol and Deng are the only two Sudanese NBA players on active rosters.

Both Deng, and Maker both left South Sudan at an early age to
Despite the daily threat of racism, Deng found the strength to continue on ,a lesson he learned from South Sudan greatest basketball export, the late Manute Bol. Bol played in the NBA from 1985-1995, a ten-year career that included stops with The Sixers, Warriors, and Heat.

“The best thing I learned from Manute was to be selfless, he was always about his people he was about helping others, a lot of us wasn’t as lucky as he was but his selflessness, rubbed off on me at a young age where now I find myself in a position where I can make a difference and help others,” Deng said.

Bol a shot blocking specialist was seen as a global ambassador to the game of basketball, his presence alongside programs such as Basketball Without Borders opened up the doors and introduced South Sudan to the game of basketball.

“ For us as a nation he did a lot for us, a lot athletes look at him as a inspiration, Luol Deng is another guy that we look up to, Manute did a lot of good things for us in terms of paving the way. You have to start somewhere and everything started with him, he changed the game and he expanded the game by playing well, and showing versatility on both ends of the court. He represented out country well, the kids seen that and everyone wanted to be like that “ Maker
Deng would eventually hone his skills in London where he garnered the attention of Coach K, the legendary coach at Duke University. After a high successful season at Duke Deng entered The 2004 NBA Draft where he was selected seventh overall by The Bulls before having his draft rights traded to The Bulls. It was in Chicago is where he experienced his most success, by becoming a two-time All-Star and by making to The All-NBA Defensive Second Team.

Now in the twilight of his prime, he’s passing on the lessons he learned from Bol to younger players like Maker who is blossoming into a potential NBA star in his own right.

By the time Maker picked up the game of basketball he the attention of every major college scout, his shooting, passing and defensive ability for someone his size had college coaches knocking down his door. Maker would eventually become the first player since 2005 to bypass college altogether and enter the 2016 NBA draft where he was drafted in the first round by The Bucks. In the midst of his second NBA season Maker has been compared to Kevin Garnett and his work ethic, and the amount of time he puts in the gym has people predicting that he will be league MVP one day.

Despite the NBA success of Deng and Maker, their country is still in the midst of a violent civil