Will top 2020 prospect Makur Maker follow LaMelo Ball, R.J. Hampton overseas to play in the NBL?

LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton’s decision to join the NBL was one that could blaze a new, untraditional path for future college recruits as they head into uncertainty. What is known is that top recruits have their eyes on how things will pan out for the two.

Makur Maker, the No. 6 ranked prospect by 247Sports in the 2020 Class and, more notably, cousin of Detroit Piston Thon Maker, recently did an interview with Evan Daniels of 247Sports mentioned that he will keep an eye on Ball and Hampton and consider the NBL based on their success.

(h/t A Sea of Blue)

“I definitely want to see what RJ (Hampton) and LaMelo (Ball) do after this year and see how they play against these professionals. It’s definitely appealing playing against grown men, although you’re playing against grown men in college too. Competition is going to be there no matter what.”

While a route Ball took because of his circumstances (i.e. not being eligible for college), Hampton is a better example of what could be the trend going forward. Hampton was a top recruit with options from essentially his choice of colleges that opted instead for the National Basketball League.

With other recruits watching, it’s now in everyone’s best interest for Ball and Hampton to find success. The two players obviously want to improve to better their draft status. The better the two play, the better the teams play and the higher they finish. And now, the better the two perform, the better it looks for the league and the more opportunities open up in the future.

But no pressure on Ball and Hampton. You just have an entire world watching.