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| amatyears1 = 2011
| amatyears1 = 2011
| amatteam1 = {{nowrap|[[Utah Warriors (Rugby Super League)|Utah Warriors]]}}
| amatteam1 = {{nowrap|[[Utah Warriors (Rugby Super League)|Utah Warriors]]}}
| years1 = 2022–
| years1 = 2022
| clubs1 = [[Houston SaberCats]]
| clubs1 = [[Houston SaberCats]]
| apps1 = 0
| apps1 = 7
| points1 = 0
| points1 = 5
| ru_clubupdate = 21 December 2021
| ru_clubupdate = 21 December 2021
| repyears1 =
| repyears1 =
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| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2011–
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2011–
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = [[United States national rugby sevens team|United States]]
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = [[United States national rugby sevens team|United States]]
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 = 46
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 = 255 (367)
| ru_sevensupdate = 20 December 2021<ref name="its rugby profile">{{cite web |title=Maka UNUFE, Wing |url=https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/maka-unufe-25350.html |website=its rugby |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
| ru_sevensupdate = 22 March 2024<ref name="its rugby profile">{{cite web |title=Maka UNUFE, Wing |url=https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/maka-unufe-25350.html |website=its rugby |access-date=22 March 2024}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Kisi Keomaka "Maka" Unufe''' (born September 28, 1991) is an American [[rugby union]] player who plays for the [[United States national rugby sevens team]] and the [[Houston SaberCats]] of [[Major League Rugby]] (MLR) as a center.<ref name="USA Rugby - Maka Unufe - Men's Sevens">{{cite web|url=https://www.usarugby.org/player/maka-unufe/|title=Maka Unufe - Men's Sevens|publisher=[[USA Rugby]]|accessdate=11 March 2017}}</ref>
'''Kisi Keomaka "Maka" Unufe''' (born September 28, 1991) is an American [[rugby union]] player. He has played over a decade with the [[United States national rugby sevens team]].<ref name="USA Rugby - Maka Unufe - Men's Sevens">{{cite web|url=https://www.usarugby.org/player/maka-unufe/|title=Maka Unufe - Men's Sevens|publisher=[[USA Rugby]]|accessdate=11 March 2017}}</ref> He also played for the [[Houston SaberCats]] of [[Major League Rugby]] (MLR) as a center.


==Early Years==
==Early years==
Unufe is from [[Provo, Utah]], United States.<ref name="Deseret News - 9 Aug 2016 - Provo native Maka Unufe went from high school dropout to Olympian inspired by his family">{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865659825/Provo-native-Maka-Unufe-went-from-high-school-dropout-to-Olympian-inspired-by-his-family.html|title=Provo native Maka Unufe went from high school dropout to Olympian inspired by his family|last=Donaldson|first=Amy|date=August 9, 2016|work=[[Deseret News]]|accessdate=11 March 2017}}</ref> Unufe previously played [[American football]] as a wide receiver at [[Provo High School]]. Unufe starred for the [[Utah Warriors (rugby union)|Utah Warriors]] at the Club 7s Nationals in August 2011, earning a nomination to the All-Tournament team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1652%3A7s-nationals-all-tournament-team&catid=72%3Aclub-sevens&Itemid=98 |title=Archived copy |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013034307/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1652%3A7s-nationals-all-tournament-team&catid=72%3Aclub-sevens&Itemid=98 |archive-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was then selected to play at the National All-Star Championships.<ref name="thisisamericanrugby1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2011/12/tiar-awards-youth-player-of-year-maka.html |title=TIAR Awards: Youth Player of the Year, Maka Unufe |publisher=This Is American Rugby |date=2011-12-16 |accessdate=2016-07-27}}</ref>
Unufe is from [[Provo, Utah]], United States.<ref name="Deseret News - 9 Aug 2016 - Provo native Maka Unufe went from high school dropout to Olympian inspired by his family">{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865659825/Provo-native-Maka-Unufe-went-from-high-school-dropout-to-Olympian-inspired-by-his-family.html|title=Provo native Maka Unufe went from high school dropout to Olympian inspired by his family|last=Donaldson|first=Amy|date=August 9, 2016|work=[[Deseret News]]|accessdate=11 March 2017}}</ref> Unufe previously played [[American football]] as a wide receiver at [[Provo High School]]. Unufe starred for the [[Utah Warriors (rugby union)|Utah Warriors]] at the Club 7s Nationals in August 2011, earning a nomination to the All-Tournament team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1652%3A7s-nationals-all-tournament-team&catid=72%3Aclub-sevens&Itemid=98 |title=7s Nationals All-Tournament Team |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013034307/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1652%3A7s-nationals-all-tournament-team&catid=72%3Aclub-sevens&Itemid=98 |archive-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He was then selected to play at the National All-Star Championships.<ref name="thisisamericanrugby1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2011/12/tiar-awards-youth-player-of-year-maka.html |title=TIAR Awards: Youth Player of the Year, Maka Unufe |publisher=This Is American Rugby |date=2011-12-16 |accessdate=2016-07-27}}</ref>


==Club career==
==Club career==
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==U.S. national rugby sevens team==
==U.S. national rugby sevens team==
Although only 19 years old at the time, Unufe made his international debut with the United States national team playing as a wing in the [[Rugby sevens at the 2011 Pan American Games|2011 Pan American games]] against Chile in October 2011, scoring a try in his first game. He was the team's top try scorer at the Pan Am games with 5 tries, helping the U.S. national team win a Bronze medal.<ref name="rugbymag1">{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3027:2011-rugbymag-awards&catid=122:rugbymag-reader-news&Itemid=347 |title=Archived copy |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716124217/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3027:2011-rugbymag-awards&catid=122:rugbymag-reader-news&Itemid=347 |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the tournament, U.S. national team head coach [[Al Caravelli]] described Unufe as "phenomenal" and "a star in the making."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utahwarriors.com/a-star-in-the-making/36/ |title=Archived copy |website=utahwarriors.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208032454/http://utahwarriors.com/a-star-in-the-making/36/ |archive-date=8 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In recognition of Unufe's rapid rise, Rugby Mag named Unufe the 2011 Men's Breakout Player of the Year,<ref name="rugbymag1"/> and This Is American Rugby named Unufe the 2011 Youth Player of the Year.<ref name="thisisamericanrugby1"/>
Although only 19 years old at the time, Unufe made his international debut with the United States national team playing as a wing in the [[Rugby sevens at the 2011 Pan American Games|2011 Pan American games]] against Chile in October 2011, scoring a try in his first game. He was the team's top try scorer at the Pan Am games with 5 tries, helping the U.S. national team win a Bronze medal.<ref name="rugbymag1">{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3027:2011-rugbymag-awards&catid=122:rugbymag-reader-news&Itemid=347 |title=2011 RUGBYMag Awards! |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716124217/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3027:2011-rugbymag-awards&catid=122:rugbymag-reader-news&Itemid=347 |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the tournament, U.S. national team head coach [[Al Caravelli]] described Unufe as "phenomenal" and "a star in the making."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://utahwarriors.com/a-star-in-the-making/36/ |title=Archived copy |website=utahwarriors.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208032454/http://utahwarriors.com/a-star-in-the-making/36/ |archive-date=8 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In recognition of Unufe's rapid rise, Rugby Mag named Unufe the 2011 Men's Breakout Player of the Year,<ref name="rugbymag1"/> and This Is American Rugby named Unufe the 2011 Youth Player of the Year.<ref name="thisisamericanrugby1"/> Unufe made his [[Sevens World Series]] debut at the [[2012 Wellington Sevens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3276%3Afull-time-contracts-already-paying-off&catid=45%3Ausa-sevens-men&Itemid=202 |title=Full-Time Contracts Already Paying Off? |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515052532/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3276%3Afull-time-contracts-already-paying-off&catid=45%3Ausa-sevens-men&Itemid=202 |archive-date=15 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Unufe made his [[Sevens World Series]] debut at the [[2012 Wellington Sevens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3276%3Afull-time-contracts-already-paying-off&catid=45%3Ausa-sevens-men&Itemid=202 |title=Archived copy |website=rugbymag.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515052532/http://rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3276%3Afull-time-contracts-already-paying-off&catid=45%3Ausa-sevens-men&Itemid=202 |archive-date=15 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


With the arrival of speedsters [[Carlin Isles]] and [[Perry Baker]], Unufe was moved to center.<ref name="rugbytoday.com">[http://www.rugbytoday.com/7s/injuries-breed-opportunity-eagles-limp-new-zealand "INJURIES BREED OPPORTUNITY AS EAGLES LIMP TO NEW ZEALAND"], Rugby Today, Pat Clifton, January 30, 2018.</ref>
With the arrival of speedsters [[Carlin Isles]] and [[Perry Baker]], Unufe was moved to center.<ref name="rugbytoday.com">[http://www.rugbytoday.com/7s/injuries-breed-opportunity-eagles-limp-new-zealand "INJURIES BREED OPPORTUNITY AS EAGLES LIMP TO NEW ZEALAND"], Rugby Today, Pat Clifton, January 30, 2018.</ref> Unufe was named to World Rugby's Dream Team for the [[2015 Wellington Sevens]] tournament, due to his "strong defensive plays and hard runs."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2015/02/eagles-learn-vegas-draw-unufe-makes.html |title=Eagles Learn Vegas Draw, Unufe Makes Dream Team |publisher=This Is American Rugby |date=2015-02-07 |accessdate=2016-07-27}}</ref> Unufe played for the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the U.S. finished in ninth place. Unufe was a key piece of the U.S. comeback at the 2017 USA Sevens from a 0–19 deficit against Argentina to win 21–19.<ref>[http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2017/03/vegas-7s-men-comeback-propels-eagles.html "Vegas 7s Men: Comeback Propels Eagles Into Semi-finals], This Is American Rugby, March 4, 2017.</ref> Unufe missed the entire 2018–19 season due to a suspension for a banned substance that had been contained in a diet supplement he had taken.

Unufe was named to World Rugby's Dream Team for the [[2015 Wellington Sevens]] tournament, due to his "strong defensive plays and hard runs."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2015/02/eagles-learn-vegas-draw-unufe-makes.html |title=Eagles Learn Vegas Draw, Unufe Makes Dream Team |publisher=This Is American Rugby |date=2015-02-07 |accessdate=2016-07-27}}</ref> Unufe played for the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the U.S. finished in ninth place. Unufe was a key piece of the U.S. comeback at the 2017 USA Sevens from a 0–19 deficit against Argentina to win 21–19.<ref>[http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2017/03/vegas-7s-men-comeback-propels-eagles.html "Vegas 7s Men: Comeback Propels Eagles Into Semi-finals], This Is American Rugby, March 4, 2017.</ref> Unufe missed the entire 2018–19 season due to a suspension for a banned substance that had been contained in a diet supplement he had taken.
Unufe competed for the United States at the [[2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens]] in [[Cape Town]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-02 |title=USA names rosters for Sevens World Cup |url=https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2022/09/01/usa-names-rosters-for-sevens-world-cup/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=Americas Rugby News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cahill |first=Calder |date=2022-09-01 |title=Men's Eagles Sevens touch down in Cape Town as Rugby World Cup Sevens roster is confirmed |url=https://eagles.rugby/news/mens-eagles-sevens-touch-down-in-cape-town-as-rugby-world-cup-sevens-roster-is-confirmed-202291 |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=eagles.rugby |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [https://www.usarugby.org/player/maka-unufe/ Maka Unufe] at [[USA Rugby]]
* [https://www.usarugby.org/player/maka-unufe/ Maka Unufe] at [[USA Rugby]]
* {{USOPC|UN/Maka-Unufe}}
* {{USOPC|UN/Maka-Unufe}}
* {{Olympics.com|maka-unufe}}
* {{Olympics.com profile|maka-unufe}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{SR/Olympics|un/maka-unufe-1}}
* {{SR/Olympics|un/maka-unufe-1}}


{{Houston SaberCats squad}}
{{USA 2016 Summer Olympics Squad}}
{{USA 2016 Summer Olympics Squad}}


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[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:American rugby union players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Provo, Utah]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Provo, Utah]]
[[Category:United States international rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:United States international rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:Olympic rugby sevens players of the United States]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Pan American Games medalists in rugby sevens]]
[[Category:Olympic rugby sevens players for the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in rugby sevens]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
[[Category:Houston SaberCats players]]
[[Category:Houston SaberCats players]]
⚫
[[Category:American rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportspeople]]
[[Category:African-American rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Utah]]

Latest revision as of 05:44, 3 May 2024

Maka Unufe
Full nameKisi Keomaka Unufe
Date of birthSeptember 28, 1991 (1991-09-28) (age 32)
Place of birthProvo, Utah
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight210 lb (95 kg)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Center
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011 Utah Warriors ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Houston SaberCats 7 (5)
Correct as of 21 December 2021
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2011– United States 255 (367)
Correct as of 22 March 2024[2]

Kisi Keomaka "Maka" Unufe (born September 28, 1991) is an American rugby union player. He has played over a decade with the United States national rugby sevens team.[3] He also played for the Houston SaberCats of Major League Rugby (MLR) as a center.

Early years[edit]

Unufe is from Provo, Utah, United States.[4] Unufe previously played American football as a wide receiver at Provo High School. Unufe starred for the Utah Warriors at the Club 7s Nationals in August 2011, earning a nomination to the All-Tournament team.[5] He was then selected to play at the National All-Star Championships.[6]

Club career[edit]

Unufe signed with the Houston SaberCats for the 2022 Major League Rugby season.[7]

U.S. national rugby sevens team[edit]

Although only 19 years old at the time, Unufe made his international debut with the United States national team playing as a wing in the 2011 Pan American games against Chile in October 2011, scoring a try in his first game. He was the team's top try scorer at the Pan Am games with 5 tries, helping the U.S. national team win a Bronze medal.[8] Following the tournament, U.S. national team head coach Al Caravelli described Unufe as "phenomenal" and "a star in the making."[9] In recognition of Unufe's rapid rise, Rugby Mag named Unufe the 2011 Men's Breakout Player of the Year,[8] and This Is American Rugby named Unufe the 2011 Youth Player of the Year.[6] Unufe made his Sevens World Series debut at the 2012 Wellington Sevens.[10]

With the arrival of speedsters Carlin Isles and Perry Baker, Unufe was moved to center.[1] Unufe was named to World Rugby's Dream Team for the 2015 Wellington Sevens tournament, due to his "strong defensive plays and hard runs."[11] Unufe played for the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the U.S. finished in ninth place. Unufe was a key piece of the U.S. comeback at the 2017 USA Sevens from a 0–19 deficit against Argentina to win 21–19.[12] Unufe missed the entire 2018–19 season due to a suspension for a banned substance that had been contained in a diet supplement he had taken.

Unufe competed for the United States at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.[13][14]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "INJURIES BREED OPPORTUNITY AS EAGLES LIMP TO NEW ZEALAND", Rugby Today, Pat Clifton, January 30, 2018.
  2. ^ "Maka UNUFE, Wing". its rugby. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Maka Unufe - Men's Sevens". USA Rugby. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  4. ^ Donaldson, Amy (August 9, 2016). "Provo native Maka Unufe went from high school dropout to Olympian inspired by his family". Deseret News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  5. ^ "7s Nationals All-Tournament Team". rugbymag.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b "TIAR Awards: Youth Player of the Year, Maka Unufe". This Is American Rugby. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  7. ^ "Houston signs Maka Unufe, re-sign front row trio". americas rugby news. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b "2011 RUGBYMag Awards!". rugbymag.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". utahwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Full-Time Contracts Already Paying Off?". rugbymag.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Eagles Learn Vegas Draw, Unufe Makes Dream Team". This Is American Rugby. 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  12. ^ "Vegas 7s Men: Comeback Propels Eagles Into Semi-finals, This Is American Rugby, March 4, 2017.
  13. ^ "USA names rosters for Sevens World Cup". Americas Rugby News. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  14. ^ Cahill, Calder (2022-09-01). "Men's Eagles Sevens touch down in Cape Town as Rugby World Cup Sevens roster is confirmed". eagles.rugby. Retrieved 2022-09-14.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maka_Unufe&oldid=1221988637"