UPDATE:Country Day's Thon Maker Withdraws, enrolls at Carlisle School, VA

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Thon's legal guardian, Edward Smith, who also was serving as a Country Day assistant coach, informed Coach Mike McGuire earlier Tuesday morning of he and his family's decision to return to Australia, McGuire said. "(Maker's) guardian and his family, they weren't comfortable here'' in the United States, McGuire said. "They wanted to get back to Australia. They thought that they couldn't make it here. It was too hard on them. It was too much of a strain. "(Smith) told me they were not happy and wanted to get back to Australia. He just thought it was too much for the family to be away from Australia.''

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“Thon and my daughter Acacia have transferred from Metairie Park Country Day School to the Carlisle School in Virginia,’’ Smith wrote. “There were four major components that factored into our decision to transfer from Country Day.

“The Carlisle School offers the International Baccalaureate program out of Geneva, Switzerland, the Carlisle School was voted the No. 1 academic school in southwestern Virginia, my longstanding relationship with head coach Jason Niblett, and the close proximity to the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia area), where most of my family and relatives reside.

“In the case of Thon, I feel that he will experience an exponential growth academically and athletically in this environment. Thon had an opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., last year with stops at the White House, the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument and other major landmarks.

“We feel that Carlisle, though small and remote in location, offers us access to a major metropolitan area where Thon and my daughter will experience growth culturally as well.

“I also believe that the international basketball program that Coach Niblett is building at Carlisle is academically inclined and will allow me to continue to make dreams come true for international student athletes seeking recommendation of an excellent basketball opportunity in the United States.

“I would like to thank the family at Metairie Park Country Day for welcoming us and note that we have formed some life-long friendships in Louisiana.’’

Maker could not be reached for further comment, but Smith forwarded a statement from his ward regarding Maker’s departure from Country Day.

“My experience at Country Day was great, but I believe the challenges ahead for me academically and basketball-wise will be greater,’’ Maker said. “The IB (International Baccalaureate) program is recognized throughout the world and the fact that we are building an international basketball program at Carlisle is exciting.

“I expect that some of the best players in the United States, Australia, and the world will be excited to come and play at Carlisle when they see what we plan to build at Carlisle. I was attracted to the diploma-based aspect of the IB program and the fact that if I were to return to Australia to attend (college) one day, it would be recognized.

“The other thing is that I will be joined by players who have played in the FIBA system and with a 24-second shot clock. I like to play fast and look forward to leading Carlisle to multiple championships. I also like the fact that my guardian’s family is near. His cousin Justin Zormelo has trained with my favorite player Kevin Durant and I am going to get a chance to work out with him and my guardian consistently.

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