“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg Daily Press Escanaba senior Keira Maki (second from right) signs her national letter of intent as her mother Lisa Maki (far Right), father Todd Maki (far left), sister Morgan Maki (second from left) and school mascot Mo observe on Feb. 22, 2024 at Escanaba High School.

ESCANABA –For the majority of her athletic career, Escanaba senior Keira Maki has been an Eskymo.

This fall she will trade her orange and black for purple and gold. She will also keep her love for basketball alive while becoming a Pointer in the process.

Maki signed her national letter of intent to play college hoops for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Wednesday in front of teammates, coaches, family, friends and Esky’s mascot, Mo.

“It feels great,” Maki said. “It’s a big accomplishment for me and the people that have supported me.”

Maki’s resume features a plethora of accomplishments.

She was apart of the Eskymos’ district and regional championship runs during her freshman year in 2021. She was apart of Esky’s 2023 Great Norther Conference Championship team. She earned All-U.P. Dream Teams honors in 2023

In 19 games this season, she’s averaging 21.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.9 blocks and 2.7 steals per contest.

“(Basketball) is not something I wanted to end after four years. I’ve always worked to go beyond that,” Maki said. “There’s another four years left. There’s more accomplishments I can achieve.”

Maki first made connections with the Pointers at an AAU tournament in Chicago. After multiple visits to campus, she feels that Stevens Point felt like family to her.

“They were there for me, and they wanted me,” Maki said. “They’re a great fit academically and athletically. I’m excited to see where it goes.”

UW-Stevens Point has seen its fair share of athletes find success in the professional ranks.

Two-time All-Star Jordan Zimmerman pitched for the Pointers before a 13-year MLB career with the Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers. Former Green Bay packers running back and 1944 NFL rushing Champion Ted Fritsch also attended Stevens Point before a nine-year career with the Packers.

Super Bowl champion linebacker Clint Kriewaldt spent nine years in the NFL, playing for the Detroit Lions (1999-2002) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2003-2007).

On the hardwood, there’s Terry Porter, a 17-year NBA veteran with the Portland Trailblazer (1985-1995), Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-1998), Miami Heat (1998-99) and San Antonio Spurs (1999-2002) who’s a Two-time NBA All-Star, Two-Time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year recipient who has his No. 30 retired by the Trail Blazers.

“There’s a lot I still have to prove and evolve from,” Maki said. “But as I go on I hope to keep doing that and keep improving . Definitely take what they give me and just learn from that.”

This chapter of her life will also present a new challenge for her. It will be the first time where she physically won’t have her twin sister Morgan Maki by her side.

“It will be weird. I’ll definitely have to get use to it,” Keira Maki said. “I know she’ll be cheering for me from afar, and I’ll always be there for her.”