Howard is shutting down five-star freshman Makur Maker indefinitely with a groin injury, head coach Kenneth Blakeney announced.
Maker, a 6-foot-11 forward, injured his groin during a preseason practice prior to the start of the season. He played through the ailment. However, Blakeney said the injury contributed in Maker being limited to 19 minutes in Friday’s 85-71 loss to Division II program Queens (NC) in the Paradise Jam.
Howard (0-2) also loss to Belmont 95-78 on Thursday in the Washington, DC tournament.
Maker averaged 24 minutes, 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the two losses. He shot 50% from the field and made 9-of-10 free throw shots.
“Quite honestly, he’s really banged up and we’re going to shut him down until he gets healthy because right now he’s just not,” Blakeney said per Tramel Raggs of the Washington Post. “He’s not able to move and I don’t want him to be counterproductive right now.”
Maker made headlines in July when he became the highest-ranked recruit to commit to a historically Black college or university in 247 Sports and ESPN eras. Maker picked Howard over other traditional basketball powerhouses Kentucky, Memphis and UCLA.
He later said he hoped his commitment would “make the HBCU movement real.”
Following Maker’s commitment other top recruits such as 2021 5-star Harrison Ingram and 2023 5-star Mikey Williams have considered HBCU programs.
Now, Maker’s impact on Howard’s season has been compromised with his injury. His absence adds to the list of impact players the Bison are without during the early portion of the season.
Entering Saturday’s game against George Mason, Howard is expected to be without four of its five projected starters. Freshman Jordan Wood (shoulder), sophomore and reigning MEAC Freshman of the Year Wayne Bristol Jr. (COVID-19 precautions) and senior Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern (awaiting NCAA transfer waiver) have yet to play this season for the Bison.
