Rockets Sign Thon Maker and Markquis Nowell

Posted: October 1, 2024 -- 10:46 a.m. CT

The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed free agent center Thon Maker and guard Markquis Nowell.

Maker (7'0", 221) was the 10th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2016 NBA Draft. The South Sudanese native has appeared in a total of 263 games across five seasons while playing for the Bucks, Detroit and Cleveland.

Over the past three seasons, Maker has played in Jerusalem, the G League, China and most recently Lebanon. He was named the inaugural FIBA West Asia Super League MVP after helping Al Riyadi Club Beirut win the championship in June.

Nowell (5'8", 160) was eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft following his fifth-year senior season at Kansas State. He spent most of last season as a two-way player with Toronto and appeared in a total of 22 G League games for Raptors 905 while averaging 14.4 points, 8.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.95 steals and 2.4 3-pointer made.

In 2022-23, Nowell won the Bob Cousy award, which honors the nation's top point guard as selected by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. During Kansas State's run to the Elite 8 that season, he averaged 23.5 ppg, 13.5 apg and 4.0 spg. Nowell also recorded an NCAA Tournament single game record with 19 assists during the Wildcats win vs. Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

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