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Fears eased for Maker over NBA travel ban

NBA basketballer Thon Maker is set to benefit from an exemption for Australian dual nationals from US travel restrictions.

Thon Maker during an NBA match.
Thon Maker is set to benefit from an exemption for dual nationals from US travel restrictions. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Concerns Australian NBA basketballer Thon Maker could be adversely affected by a controversial immigration order from US president Donald Trump have been allayed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The Australian prime minister said on Tuesday that Australian dual nationals will be able to travel to the US after being exempted from the president's immigration ban.

The NBA was seeking advice on the matter, with Milwaukee rookie Maker's place of birth Sudan one of seven Muslim-majority countries affected by Trump's move to restrict people entering the US.

Turnbull said the White House has confirmed the exemption.

"Regardless of their place of birth or whether they are dual nationals or whether they hold another passport, (Australian passport holders) will remain welcome to come and go to the United States in the usual way," Mr Turnbull told Sky News on Tuesday.

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The 19-year-old Maker relocated to Australia from the African nation as a five-year-old before moving to North America for school.

The 216cm centre was drafted with pick No.10 by the Bucks last year.

Maker may not have been affected by the 90-day restrictions, with the Bucks not being scheduled for a fixture against Toronto in Canada for the rest of the regular season.

But the NBA said this week it had reached out to the US State Department for advice about how it might affect players.

Los Angeles Lakers player Luol Deng also has Sudanese heritage.


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