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Bucks' Maker not bothered by age rumors

Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Rumors surrounding Thon Maker's age may have caused some teams to stay clear of the 19-year-old phenom during Thursday's NBA draft, but the 7-foot-3 center is adamant that the speculation has done little to affect his psyche.

"It did get to me in terms of me hearing about it, but it didn’t get to me personally because if it were true, I’d probably be like sideways about it, but it’s not true, so I’m comfortable," Maker told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "I’m not angry or anything. I’ve got to learn what I can say and what I can’t say now."

Maker wasn't the only one unfazed by the rumors, as the Milwaukee Bucks surprised many by choosing the lanky center with the 10th pick in the draft. The 19-year-old was overcome with emotions upon being drafted, after taking one of the most unconventional paths of any prospect in recent memory.

"It was five years (ago) when I decided I first wanted to be a pro and take basketball serious," Maker said. “So it’s been a long time because I’ve put in a lot of games, a lot of work, and to finally see it pay off, really — I lost words. When I was walking there, trying to say thank you to my family, just took lots of words, and I speak with them every day. It was a different situation. Mentally, you just can’t wait. Physically, you’re trying to control yourself, and at the same time it’s unreal."

Born in Sudan, Maker moved to Uganda before making his way to Australia at just 5 years old. Maker later moved to the United States as a teenager, before spending the last two years in Canada playing high school basketball.

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