It was the Kung fu kick that turned Thon Maker into an internet sensation – and five years after going viral for his actions in the epic basket-brawl, the Aussie has admitted to a stunning new detail.
Speaking for the first time on the 2018 brawl, for which he received a three-game FIBA ban for his involvement, Maker has revealed he had Kung Fu lessons as a kid but maintains he acted instinctively in self defence.
“It was crazy – it was just a part of the moment,” Maker said.
“I actually did take Kung Fu when I was younger, but the kick was just natural instinct.
“All I could hear was Delly (teammate Matthew Dellavedova) yelling out from the bench on the other side of the court, ‘protect yourself’ right before I got hit in the head.
“He was back on the bench, but I could hear him while he was holding the entire bench back from entering the court.”
Maker knows that…