Prospect Spotlight: Liki Makaui (2019)
Photo Credit: highlandrambler.org
Highland 6-foot point guard Liki Makaui has some serious vision, so much so, that some say it’s the best they’ve ever seen.
This, along with some other sweet skills on the hardwood, make him Utah’s 25th-ranked 2019 — for now.
“Honestly, I see my game as being a facilitator. I like getting my teammates baskets and open shots, I like getting them involved and making them better,” said Makaui.
“My best skill-set is my vision, I’ve been told by many people that I have the best vision they’ve seen. One thing I need to work on is my ball-handling and shooting while coming off screens.”
Makaui added: “At the same time, I like to do a little work myself, I’m more of an assist guy, but when it comes time to score, I can.”
The talented point guard recently wrapped up his 16U summer with Utah Premier, and says they took some big steps to becoming a winning-type program this summer.
“One thing I think I really did well was getting myself out there as a point guard and helping my team to win. Last year we weren’t really a winning team, we were still building,” said Makaui, who improved individually on his defense.
“I used to not really be good on defense, but this last summer I worked a lot on my defense and it really showed. I got about three steals per game and two blocks per game.”
Now, as he heads into his junior season with the Rams, Makaui says the goal is to help lead his squad to a state title.
“This upcoming year as a junior my biggest goal is to get my team to win a state championship. My role on this team will be to facilitate,” he said.
“I’ll be the youngest starter, and I’ll need to step up and lead my team, and make we sure we’re all doing what we need to do to win a state championship.”
As for recruitment, it’s still in its infancy, but could spike with a strong junior season.
“I have been talking to the Dixie State coach. I’ve been emailing him back and forth,” said Makaui. “And hopefully, soon, more coaches will start talking to me and I get that opportunity to get a scholarship.”