Jackson Makoi

Jackson Makoi
No. 9 – Cairns Taipans
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (2000-07-03) 3 July 2000 (age 24)
Egypt
NationalitySouth Sudanese / Australian
Listed height196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Listed weight89 kg (196 lb)
Career information
High schoolSaint Louis Christian Academy
(Saint Louis, Missouri)
College
NBA draft2022: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022Vrijednosnice Osijek
2022–2024Sydney Kings
2024Northside Wizards
2024–presentCairns Taipans
Career highlights and awards

Anyiarbany "Jackson" Makoi (born 3 July 2000) is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player for the Cairns Taipans of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He represents the South Sudan national basketball team in international competition.

Early life

Makoi was born in Egypt,[1] however he moved to Melbourne, Australia at an early age. He moved to the United States to play high school basketball.[citation needed]

Professional career

On 8 September 2021, Makoi signed his first professional contract with Vrijednosnice Osijek of the Croatian HT Premijer liga.[2]

On 21 June 2022, Makoi signed with the Sydney Kings as a development player for the 2022–23 NBL season.[3] He played 15 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.[4] He re-signed with the Kings on 28 March 2023 to a two-year deal, continuing as a development player for the 2023–24 NBL season.[5] He recovered to make one appearance for the club in his second season.[4] On 9 April 2024, he was released by the Kings.[4]

Makoi joined the Northside Wizards for the 2024 NBL1 North season.[6]

On 22 April 2024, Makoi signed with the Cairns Taipans for the 2024–25 NBL season.[7] On 31 August 2024, he received an eight match suspension with a six-week suspended sentence after being charged for driving under the influence. He will miss the first two rounds of the 2024–25 season.[8]

National team career

Internationally, Makoi has played for the South Sudan national basketball team since 2020.[9] He played with South Sudan at AfroBasket 2021 as the team's starting point guard. He contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game, helping the team reach the quarterfinals in its first major tournament.[10]

Makoi was named in South Sudan's final roster for the 2024 Olympics.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Lee College Profile Jackson Makoi". YouTube. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Novi igrač Vrijednosnica je Anyiarbany Makoi". KK VROS (in Croatian). 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Sydney Sign South Sudanese NT Guard Jackson Makoi". NBL.com.au. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Kings, Makoi part ways ahead of free agency". NBL.com.au. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Makoi Commits to Kings". NBL.com.au. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  6. ^ "The South Sudan star finding his feet in NBL1". NBL1.com.au. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  7. ^ "South Sudan superstar heads to Far North Queensland". NBL.com.au. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Makoi handed suspension". NBL.com.au. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Jackson MAKOI". South Sudan Basketball Federation. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Anyiarbany MAKOI at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  11. ^ "South Sudanese NBL stars to make history". NBL.com.au. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.