6’6 guard Makuei Riek is a UW-Milwaukee University commit set to make a splash with We Are United.
First, congrats to We Are United’s Makuei Riek for committing to a quality D1 program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Second: congrats to UW-Milwaukee for securing a quality person and player whose arrow is pointing straight up.
A 6’6 guard out of Minnesota, Makuei has spent many summers traveling to the Milwaukee area to play AAU ball, so he is already familiar with the area. Upon even further inspection, he fell for the city.
“I toured the city on a visit,” Riek says. “I got to see places I’d be and meet many of the people I’d be around. I felt a lot of love, and it seemed like home.
Makuei loves nature and is excited to be near a beautiful lake. However, it was the environment of the basketball program that was the deciding factor. “The staff was very caring,” Riek says. “I watched a practice, and the coaches push you to be your best and also seem great to be around.”
Sharing a mindset with coaches is also what steered Makuei to We Are United prep. Ultimately, he decided to come because of Coach Rob Yanders.
“What made me decide on We Are United was Coach Rob - him showing up for me and trusting in me,” Riek says. “I have faith in what he has told me and where he believes he can get me. He’s a hard worker, I’m a hard worker, and I always try to be around people who share the same goals as me.”
6’6” Guard Makuiel Riek @Makueii_ @MKE_MBB Commit showcasing his offensive package. @weareunitedprep Smooth player with size and play making ability. Upside upside! pic.twitter.com/tKDojjigi6
— The Basketball Movement (@BBall_Movement) October 2, 2022
Even though we are just scratching the surface of the We Are United season, Makuei says that Yanders has already prepared him mentally, physically, and spiritually for the next level of hoops.
“The season has just started, so we’re still working,” Riek says. “(Coach Yanders) speaks to us as adults. He tells us what we need to hear, not always what we want to hear. He is making us better as men, not just as players.”
Yanders tells his players what they need to hear, but that does not mean he has any shortage of praise for his big new guard.
“He great to be around and is also just a big-time basketball player,” Yanders says. He is a guy that can flat-out score. Coach (Bart) Lundy runs an up-tempo style that will suit him. He knows how to play, scores in bunches, and can be an impact player right away.”
Currently, Makuei says he is working on fully incorporating everything he has learned and using it to make others better. “I want to be a better teammate, better scorer… I’m just learning to grow as a true basketball player,” Riek says. “I am learning to play guard, the four, or any position I find myself in. I am learning the ‘why’ behind where to be on the court.”
If Makuei is hoping to be a sponge, soaking up basketball knowledge, he is in the right place.
To his next team, UW-Milwaukee, he plans to take the work he learns at We Are United and apply it to make his whole team better.
“I am always going to come in wanting to improve,” Riek says. “I work to get better every time I lace my shoes up. I am always going to push and do everything I can to make others get better as well as myself. I want to be a great leader and role model however I can.”
Makuei is already a leader by example. As the We Are United season forges ahead, expect continual improvement to his already impressive game. Stay tuned.