体坛英语新闻：NBA to stand behind Aussie baller Thon Maker in wake of visa concerns

SYDNEY, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The recent visa changes implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday have led to wide-ranging consequences, with Australian NBA player Thon Maker, under threat of being affected due to his Sudanese origins.

Maker, who settled in Australia in 2002 after fleeing war torn Sudan, is now a rookie for the Milwaukee Bucks, also holds an Australian passport and citizenship, while retaining citizenship in his native Sudan.

The NBA has thrown its support behind Maker, with a spokesperson for the league Mike Bass saying the NBA "reached out to the State Department" in order to work out what impact the changes will have on Maker and others in the league.

Sudan is one of seven predominantly Muslim countries that are affected by the new visa rules, put into place by Trump's executive order over the weekend.