Majok Majok
{{Short description|South Sudanese-Australian basketball player (born 1992)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Majok Majok
| image = Majok Majok Perth Wildcats 03.jpg
| caption = Majok with the Perth Wildcats in 2022
| position = Center / power forward
| height_cm = 210
| weight_kg = 112
| league =
| team = Free agent
| number =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|12|10}}
| birth_place = Rumbek, South Sudan
| nationality = South Sudanese / Australian
| high_school =
- Kingsway Christian College
(Perth, Western Australia) - Northfield Mount Hermon
(Northfield, Massachusetts)
| college =
- Midland College (2010–2012)
- Ball State (2012–2014)
| draft_year = 2014
| career_start = 2007
| years1 = 2007
| team1 = East Perth Eagles
| years2 = 2008
| team2 = Kalamunda Eastern Suns
| years3 = 2014–2015
| team3 = Helios Suns
| years4 = 2015–2018
| team4 = Melbourne United
| years5 = 2018
| team5 = Wellington Saints
| years6 = 2018–2019
| team6 = New Zealand Breakers
| years7 = 2019
| team7 = Frankston Blues
| years8 = 2019–2023
| team8 = Perth Wildcats
| years9 = 2022
| team9 = Warwick Senators
| years10 = 2023
| team10 = North Gold Coast Seahawks
| years11 = 2024
| team11 = Ballarat Miners
| years12 = 2024–2025
| team12 = South East Melbourne Phoenix
| highlights =
}}
Majok Maker Majok (born 10 December 1992) is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player who last played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Ball State Cardinals for two years, leading the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in rebounding and earning third-team all-conference honors in both seasons. He is a three-time NBL champion, winning in 2018 with Melbourne United, 2020 with the Perth Wildcats, and 2024 with the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Early life and career
Majok was born in Rumbek, South Sudan, and moved to Australia when he was eight.{{cite news|last=Dinham|first=Abby|title=Home where the hoop is: Majok Majok creates magic in Melbourne|date=22 November 2016|website=SBS.com.au|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/11/21/home-where-hoop-majok-majok-creates-magic-melbourne|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123175640/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/11/21/home-where-hoop-majok-majok-creates-magic-melbourne|archivedate=23 November 2016|url-status=live}} His family settled in Perth. He initially played soccer before developing a liking for basketball in high school at Kingsway Christian College.{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Chris|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/melbourne-uniteds-majok-majok-primed-for-first-game-in-home-state-of-wa-against-perth-wildcats-ng-057e4e2f8f0473fba57e1c8f27570bd8|title=Melbourne United's Majok Majok primed for first game in home state of WA against Perth Wildcats|work=PerthNow.com.au|date=5 December 2015|accessdate=9 July 2019}}{{cite news|last=Ward|first=Roy|title=NBL: Melbourne United centre Majok Majok makes homecoming against Perth Wildcats|date=9 December 2015|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-melbourne-united-centre-majok-majok-makes-homecoming-against-perth-wildcats-20151209-gljbhc.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207114233/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-melbourne-united-centre-majok-majok-makes-homecoming-against-perth-wildcats-20151209-gljbhc.html|archivedate=7 February 2019|url-status=live}} In 2007 and 2008, he played in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the East Perth Eagles and Kalamunda Eastern Suns respectively.{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/05/2007-MSBL-stats.pdf|title=2007 MSBL stats|work=SBL.asn.au|access-date=26 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://sbl.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/2008-MSBL-stats.pdf|title=2008 MSBL stats|work=SBL.asn.au|access-date=26 October 2022}}
After drawing interest from overseas scouts, Majok moved to the United States and played two years of high school ball at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts.{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Chris|title=Melbourne United's Majok Majok primed for first game in home state of WA against Perth Wildcats|date=5 December 2015|work=PerthNow|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-uniteds-majok-majok-primed-for-first-game-in-home-state-of-wa-against-perth-wildcats/news-story/057e4e2f8f0473fba57e1c8f27570bd8|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6qxwerhwF?url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-uniteds-majok-majok-primed-for-first-game-in-home-state-of-wa-against-perth-wildcats/news-story/057e4e2f8f0473fba57e1c8f27570bd8|archivedate=4 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Majok Majok|website=BallStateSports.com|url=http://ballstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4935|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604094935/http://ballstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4935|archivedate=4 June 2017|url-status=live}}
College career
Majok played two seasons in junior college at Midland College in Texas before transferring to Ball State University in Indiana. He played two seasons for the Cardinals, leading the MAC in rebounding and earning third-team all-conference honors in both years. As a senior in 2013–14, he averaged 11.2 points and 10 rebounds per game to become the first Ball State player to average a double-double in a season since Theron Smith in 2001–02.
Professional career
After college, Majok moved to Slovenia and joined Helios Suns for the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/slovenia/133807/majok-majok-signs-with-helios-domzale.html|title=Majok Majok signs with Helios Domzale|work=Sportando.com|date=5 September 2014|accessdate=4 June 2017}} In 32 games, he averaged 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
After feeling homesick, Majok returned to Australia and signed with Melbourne United of the National Basketball League on 9 July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-team-news/melbourne-sign-majok-majok/|title=MELBOURNE SIGN MAJOK MAJOK|work=NBL.com.au|date=9 July 2015|accessdate=4 June 2017}}{{cite web|last=Smart|first=Nick|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-united-sign-man-mountain-majok-majok-after-six-years-in-america-and-europe/news-story/04c0539fd93edb398620b4471263829b|title=Melbourne United sign man mountain Majok Majok after six years in America and Europe|work=HeraldSun.com.au|date=9 July 2015|accessdate=4 June 2017}} He helped Melbourne win the minor premiership in 2015–16 with a league-best 18–10 record while averaging 5.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He averaged 5.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 2016–17.{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Majok-Majok/Summary/42928|title=Majok Majok Player Profile|work=RealGM.com|accessdate=7 September 2020}}
On 21 April 2017, Majok re-signed with United for the 2017–18 NBL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.melbourneutd.com.au/more-news/majok-set-big-2017-18/|title=MAJOK SET FOR A BIG 2017-18|work=MelbourneUtd.com.au|date=21 April 2017|accessdate=4 June 2017}} During the offseason, he participated in a mini-camp with the Dallas Mavericks before their 2017 NBA Summer League.{{cite news|last=Ward|first=Roy|title=Melbourne United centre Majok Majok looks to NBA, Boomers possiblities{{sic|hide=y}}|date=11 July 2017|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-united-centre-majok-majok-looks-to-nba-boomers-possiblities-20170711-gx8y1q.html|accessdate=19 March 2020}}{{cite news|last=Gardiner|first=Gilbert|title=Majok Majok hoping for NBA Summer League berth with Dallas Mavericks|date=2 June 2017|newspaper=Herald Sun|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/majok-majok-hoping-for-nba-summer-league-berth-with-dallas-mavericks/news-story/2d8e9cb7c427b790a97b171b31d79a7b|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604014852/http://www.news.com.au/sport/majok-majok-hoping-for-nba-summer-league-berth-with-dallas-mavericks/news-story/2d8e9cb7c427b790a97b171b31d79a7b|archivedate=4 June 2017|url-status=live}} In March 2018, he was a member of United's championship-winning team. Injuries restricted much of his season,{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Roy|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/melbourne-united-put-offers-to-goulding-wesley-as-free-agency-begins-20180416-p4z9x2.html|title=Melbourne United put offer to Goulding, Wesley to leave|work=SMH.com.au|date=16 April 2018|accessdate=17 April 2018}} and in 22 games, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
On 16 April 2018, Majok signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2018 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|author=NZhoops|url=https://twitter.com/NZ_hoops/status/985769584371187712|title=The Wellington Saints have signed...|work=Twitter|date=16 April 2018|accessdate=17 April 2018}}
On 4 May 2018, Majok signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Breakers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/41801-breakers-bring-in-majok-majok|title=Breakers Bring in Majok Majok|work= NBL.com.au|date=4 May 2018|accessdate=4 May 2018}}{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Niall|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12045183|title=Basketball: Breakers sign Australian big man Majok Majok|work=nzherald.co.nz|date=4 May 2018|accessdate=4 May 2018}}
On 10 March 2019, Majok signed with the Frankston Blues for the 2019 NBL1 season.{{cite web|url=http://blues.fdba.com.au/2019/03/10/blues-double-up-inside-with-majok-majok-added-to-nbl1-roster/|title=BLUES DOUBLE UP INSIDE WITH MAJOK MAJOK ADDED TO NBL1 ROSTER|work=blues.fdba.com.au|date=10 March 2019|accessdate=8 July 2019}}
On 8 July 2019, Majok signed a two-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/perth-wildcats-sign-west-aussie-big-man-majok-majok|title=Perth Wildcats sign West Aussie big man Majok Majok|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=8 July 2019|accessdate=8 July 2019}} In March 2020, he was crowned an NBL champion for the second time in his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/news/article/perth-wildcats-back-to-back-nbl-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Back-to-Back NBL Champions|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=19 March 2020|accessdate=19 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/perth-wildcats-crowned-nbl20-champions|title=Perth Wildcats Crowned NBL20 Champions|work=NBL.com.au|date=19 March 2020|accessdate=19 March 2020}} In June 2020, the Wildcats exercised the club option on Majok's contract to retain him for the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |title=Perth Wildcats re-sign Majok Majok |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/perth-wildcats-re-sign-majok-majok/ |website=Sportando |accessdate=4 June 2020 |date=4 June 2020 |last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }} However, in November 2020, he was ruled out for the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury at team training.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/majok-majok-ruled-out-for-season|title=Majok Majok ruled out for season|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=5 November 2020|accessdate=5 November 2020}} In March 2021, the Wildcats won the mid-season NBL Cup.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/wildcats-complete-nbl-cup-with-dazzling-comeback|title=Wildcats complete NBL Cup with dazzling comeback|work=NBL.com.au|date=14 March 2021|access-date=14 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-come-from-26-down-to-defeat-36ers|title=Wildcats come from 26 down to defeat 36ers|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=14 March 2021|access-date=14 March 2021}}
On 6 July 2021, Majok re-signed with the Wildcats on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-re-sign-majok-majok|title=Wildcats re-sign Majok Majok|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=6 July 2021|access-date=6 July 2021}} He averaged 5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 28 games during the 2021–22 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-take-options-on-big-man-duo|title=Wildcats take options on big man duo|work=Wildcats.com.au|date=17 May 2022|access-date=17 May 2022}} He joined the Warwick Senators of the NBL1 West in July 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/WarwickSenatorsCCSRA/posts/pfbid02eqLLySgfFVVq63nfjLGhM3XKrJbWwEkTpZmd2DyqvFEtXZF7LtSRpXRwBVqKUT6xl|title=BIG SIGNING!|work=facebook.com/WarwickSenatorsCCSRA|date=8 July 2022|access-date=8 July 2022}}
Majok returned to the Wildcats for the 2022–23 NBL season and then played for the North Gold Coast Seahawks during the 2023 NBL1 North season.{{cite web|url=https://www.jackjumpers.com.au/news/jackjumpers-roster-puzzle-complete-with-nrp-signing|title=JackJumpers roster puzzle complete with NRP signing|work=jackjumpers.com.au|date=7 August 2023|access-date=7 August 2023}}
On 7 August 2023, Majok signed with the Tasmania JackJumpers as a nominated replacement player (NRP) ahead of the 2023–24 NBL season. On 5 January 2024, his NRP contract came to an end and he was re-assigned to a training player.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/jackjumpers-sign-championship-winner|title=JackJumpers sign championship winner|work=NBL.com.au|date=5 January 2024|access-date=5 January 2024}} He did not play for the JackJumpers during the season{{cite web|url=https://www.jackjumpers.com.au/player/140349/171953/majok-majok|title=Majok Majok|work=jackjumpers.com.au|access-date=18 April 2024}} but was a member of their championship-winning squad in March 2024,{{cite web|url=https://www.jackjumpers.com.au/news/tasmania-jackjumpers-crowned-2324-nbl-champions|title=Tasmania JackJumpers crowned 23/24 NBL Champions|work=jackjumpers.com.au|date=31 March 2024|access-date=15 August 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spalding.com.au/blog/jackjumpers-reign-supreme-in-nbl-classic|title=JackJumpers reign supreme in NBL Classic|work=spalding.com.au|access-date=15 August 2024}} becoming a three-time NBL champion.{{cite web|url=https://www.semphoenix.com.au/news/phoenix-sign-local-centre-majok-majok-for-nbl25|title=Phoenix Sign Local Centre Majok Majok for NBL25|work=semphoenix.com.au|date=15 August 2024|access-date=15 August 2024}}
Majok joined the Ballarat Miners of the NBL1 South for the 2024 season.{{cite web|last=Gliddon|first=Greg|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8543413/nbl1-veteran-majok-majok-joins-ballarat-miners-for-season-2024/|title=Miners go for Majok magic with new signing|work=thecourier.com.au|date=4 March 2024|access-date=28 April 2024}}
On 15 August 2024, Majok signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the 2024–25 NBL season.
National team career
In June 2017, Majok was named in a 20-man Australian national team squad ahead of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/helloworld-travel-boomers-squad-invited-to-fiba-asia-cup-camp/|title=HELLOWORLD TRAVEL BOOMERS SQUAD INVITED TO FIBA ASIA CUP CAMP|work=Basketball.net.au|date=13 June 2017|accessdate=13 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613060245/http://basketball.net.au/helloworld-travel-boomers-squad-invited-to-fiba-asia-cup-camp/|archive-date=13 June 2017}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://nbl.com.au/player/3692/171953/majok-majok NBL profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170428034921/http://www.melbourneutd.com.au/player_profile/majok-majok/ Melbourne United bio]
- [http://ballstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4935 Ball State bio]
{{navboxes|list=
{{Melbourne United 2017–18 NBL champions}}
{{Perth Wildcats 2019–20 NBL champions}}
{{Tasmania JackJumpers 2023–24 NBL champions}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Majok, Majok}}
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in New Zealand
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in Slovenia
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:Ball State Cardinals men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Perth, Western Australia
Category:KK Kansai Helios Domžale players
Category:Melbourne United players
Category:New Zealand Breakers players
Category:Perth Wildcats players
Category:South East Melbourne Phoenix players
Category:South Sudanese emigrants to Australia
Category:South Sudanese expatriate basketball people in New Zealand
Category:South Sudanese expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:South Sudanese men's basketball players