Already-loaded Hillcrest Prep from Arizona adds a 7-foot NBA prospect for Chick-fil-A Classic

When Chick-fil-A tournament president Gary Fulmer booked Hillcrest Prep from Arizona to return to the 18th annual event after playing here in 2018, he was basing his assessment on the roster he thought the Bruins would bring.

A couple of days before the tournament began, Fulmer received an extra bonus he wasn’t expecting. Makur Maker, the 7-foot senior that has his eyes on the NBA sooner rather than later, transferred to the prep school in Phoenix, Arizona, and made his debut Friday night in a 64-47 victory over Westtown (Pennsylvania) in the National Division of the Chick-fil-A Classic.

Maker, who is the No. 6 player in the 247 Sports composition rankings for the Class of 2020, played 21 minutes off the bench and scored six points with five rebounds and an assist.

“We’ve had one practice, really more like a walk-through,” Hillcrest Prep coach Howard Thomas said. “With him, it’s an easy fit because he’s so versatile and that’s what our team is based off of, versatility. All of guys can play several positions, and he walks in the door and can do that. Once he understands our rotations and what we want out him, he should blend in easily.”

Makur, the cousin of NBA player Thon Maker, made the move from CIBA at Pacific Academy after playing in the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He joined his new teammates on Wednesday and flew to Columbia on Thursday. He’s had one official practice with his new team.

“I’ve adjusted pretty well,” the soft-spoken Maker said. “It’s my first day, first game. My first practice was (Friday) morning. I’m still trying to find the rhythm and get along with these guys. It’s a good experience and you have great players around you.”

The way his decision came down was a quick one. He needed a place to continue his prep career and after a short search, Hillcrest Prep was the winner.

“I’m third-party information on that,” Thomas said. “I got the call maybe two days before he got there that we were getting Maker. I was like, ‘For real?’ I don’t know how long the process took, but I got it two days before we got here.”

Hillcrest Prep (9-2) already had a loaded roster before the addition of Makur. The starting lineup features 6-7 Arizona commit Dalen Terry, 6-7 North Carolina signee in Puff Johnson as well top-10 underclassmen in 6-9 Michael Foster (Class of 2021) and 6-10 Sadraque Nganga (Class of 2022).

Even with that stacked lineup, Makur takes Hillcrest Prep to another level. The Bruins have lost twice this season, once to Prolific Prep (California) and to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. They potentially could see Prolific Prep, the No. 3 team in the country by MaxPreps, again in the Chick-fil-A National Division bracket.

Maker’s already submitted paperwork to the NBA to hopefully be able to enter the 2020 NBA draft. He turned 19 years old last month and is in his fifth year of high school. He sat out an entire season of playing due to a foot injury and could still take the college route if he’s turned down to enter the draft.

His top schools currently are Oregon, Auburn and Washington State.

However it works out, Maker has his sights on finishing the season strong with his new teammates.

“We can turn some heads,” Maker said. “I think we already have just with the names on the roster but that doesn’t matter. Just going out there playing hard and I feel like we’ll be OK. The definite goal is to win a championship and beat everyone in the nation.”

SC players win slam dunk, 3-point contests

Two in-state schools came away as the winner in the 3-point shooting and Slam Dunk contest at the completion of the second day of action.

Senior guard Case Roach from Travelers Rest won the 3-point shooting contest, easily outdistancing his closest competitor. Gray Collegiate junior guard Timothy Barnes followed that up by winning the Slam Dunk contest with scoring a perfect 30 in the first round and finals.

His winning dunk was leaping over one of his teammates for a one-handed slam.

American Division

Friday’s summaries

Immaculate Conception (N.J.) 64, Greenforest Christian (Ga.) 50

GC – Lamar Oden 21, Christian Fussell 15, Tenebay 8, Cook 3, Smith 3. IC – Amar’e Marshall 15, Zion Bethea 13, Zakai Zeigler 13, Davis 9, Brown 8, Marsh 6.

Cannon (N.C.) 83, Travelers Rest 69

TR – Jarvis Moss 21, Jaden Bradley 20, DJ Nix 20, Elijah English 16, Rolle 6. TR – Case Roach 17, Derrick Fields 15, Malik Ware 10, J. Brown 8, S. Brown 7, Hellams 4, Mills 3, Gatchell 3, King 2.

Saturday’s schedule

Gray Collegiate vs Greenforest Christian, 1:50 p.m. (Aux Gym)

Greensboro Day (NC) vs Immaculate Conception (NJ), 3:50 p.m. (Main Gym)

Dorman vs Cannon School (NC), 7:00 p.m. (Main Gym)

Keenan vs Travelers Rest, 8:00 p.m. (Aux Gym)

Monday’s schedule

Games begin at 12:30 p.m.

National Division

Friday’s summaries

La Lumiere (Ind.) 58, Legacy Charter 47

LL – Kamari Lands 21, Jaden Ivey 14, Wendell Green 10, Sochan 7, Thompson 4, Wojcik 2. LC – Jacobi Wright 20, Isaiah Cornish 16, Harrison 5, McInntyre 4, Priestley 2.

Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.) 64, Westtown (Pa.) 47

W – Jalen Warley 17, TJ Berger 14, Q. Berger 7, Little 5, Kepnang 2, Lively 2. HP – Mike Foster 18, Puff Johnson 11, Dalen Terry 10, Clay 8, Maker 6, Edwards 6, Oden 3, Nganga 2.

Huntington Prep (W.Va.) 88, Word of God (N.C.) 50

HP – Jaemyn Brakefield 30, Brayon Freeman 17, Isaiah Cottrell 16, Loveday 9, Hoggard 6, Mbaye 4, Johnson 3, Ndiaye 2, Jenkins 1. WG – Po’Boigh King 15, Isaiah Todd 11, Bullock 9, Forte 6, Harris 4, Shadoan 3, Jay 2.

Prolific Prep (CA) 68, Ridge View 62

RV – Ja’Von Benson 28, Cincere Scott 10, Everrett 8, Kennedy 8, Jackson 4, Rice 2, Spraggins 2. PP – Nimari Burnett 27, Jalen Green 26, Cisse 7, Gueye 4, Gigiberia 2, Sharavjamts 2.

Saturday’s schedule

Legacy Early College vs Ridge View, 3:20 p.m. (Aux Gym)

La Lumiere (Ind.) vs Prolific Prep (Calif.)/Ridge View, 5:25 p.m. (Main Gym)

Word of God Academy (N.C.) vs Westtown (Pa.), 6:25 p.m. (Aux Gym)

Huntington Prep (W.Va.) vs Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.), 8:30 p.m. (Main Gym)

Monday’s schedule

Games begin at 12:30 p.m

Carolinas Challenge

Friday’ summaries

Christ Church 47, Great Falls 29

GF – Adams 8, Abrams 6, Moore 4, Brown 3, Dunham 3, Coleman 3, Coleman 2. CC – John Butler 15, Samuel Perry 10, Rogers 9, Jordan Butler 6, Sagedy 4, Windham 2, Johnston 1.

Richland Northeast 64, Marion 55

RNE – Marcus Anderson 18, Calvin Hall 14, Durand Brown 10, Amere’ Cherry 10, Pratt 8, Rich 4. M – Mac Washington 19, TJ Sanders 16, McCullough 4, Vaught 4, D. Wilson 4, J. Wilson 3, Allen 2, Fling 2, Davis 1.

Northside Christian (N.C.) 57, North Charleston 43

NCA – Solomon Tucker 14, Tubb III 9, M. Brown 8, J. Brown 8, Collins 6, Underwood 5, Mattocks 4, Tesfa 3. NC – Darjawuan Brown 15, Dashawn Murray 11, Bennett 7, Planters 4, Green 4, McNeil 2.

Blythewood 66, North Augusta 57

B – Julian Phillips 20, Emanuel Richards 15, Barry Hardy 12, Cameron Brown 10, Wright 5, Williams 2, Cohen 2. NA – Omarion Byrd 23, Colin Rodrigues 10, Wilburn 6, Buchanan 6, K. Cooper 5, M. Cooper 3, Harrell 3, Tillman 1.

Saturday’s schedule

Northside Christian vs. North Augusta, 2:20 p.m. (Main gym)

Marion vs. AL Brown, 4:55 p.m. (Aux Gym)

Tickets: $12 The ticket booth located at Richland Northeast opens one hour before the first scheduled game each day for daily sales.

This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 10:05 PM.