Prospect Spotlight: Malik Thomas 2021
Playoff time is always an opportunity for players to step up and shine, and that certainly has been the case for Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S . The junior wing at…
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Continue ReadingPlayoff time is always an opportunity for players to step up and shine, and that certainly has been the case for Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S .
The junior wing at Damien High School recently helped lead the Spartans to an upset win over St. Anthony in the first round of the CIF State Southern Regionals with 29 points, 19 rebounds, and six assists.
Thomas has had a breakout year for the Spartans, and he’s set a school record for most points scored in a single season with 820 and counting. He’s been one of the fastest rising players in Southern California and he has drawn awareness from a few Division 1 schools.
To this point, he currently holds offers from Northern Arizona, Pepperdine, San Diego, Washington, Washington State, and USC. While he’s only a junior and still has another year of high school basketball, he already has a sense of what he’s going to be looking for when it comes to choosing a college.
“Just a college that’s going to look to take care of me and treat me like family,” Thomas told Prep Hoops. “Somewhere that I can be able to call it my second home. A place where I’ll be able to be myself on the court.”
This season, Thomas has emerged as one of the top-scoring wings in Southern California. He’s very comfortable making plays off the dribble and he has a solid pull-up jumper. He can get to his spots on the court with ease and he’s able to get to the rim and finish with contact.
In addition to his on-court exploits, as a junior, Thomas has taken on a more proactive role on the team when it comes to leadership. He leads by example and tries to help set the foundation for the rest of the team to follow.
“I’m a leader, I’ve just been a dog out there on the floor,” Thomas said. “Just doing whatever it takes to get the W for my team, whether that’s rebounding, playmaking, scoring, making great defensive plays, just everything basically.”
A big part of the jump in Thomas’ game this season has come from the summer’s AAU circuit. Most players try and use AAU season to improve their games and get themselves ready for the high school regular season.
In Thomas’ case, he plays for one of the most respected and top-notch AAU organizations in the country in the Compton Magic. Over the past few years, Compton Magic’s roster has featured some of the most highly regarded players in the nation, allowing players to get used to playing with other top talents.
Thomas credits Compton Magic’s style of play for getting him ready for his breakout season.
“Compton Magic is a family. We’re out there, we run, we play hard, and we go full court,” Thomas said. “I can use that wherever I go, just playing fast, playing up-tempo, just getting out and pressing and being a dog out there.”
While he is enjoying an amazing season, like all players with the desire to be great, Thomas isn’t satisfied with where he is in his progress. He’s already an explosive perimeter scorer who is a threat to score from anywhere on the court, but he still wants to improve his ability to score.
If you ask him, he feels like his entire game still needs improvement.
“I think every part of my game needs to be improved,” Thomas said. “But I can work on my defense, my dribbling, my playmaking, getting more teammates more involved. My scoring can always improve, my three-point shot. Just my all-around game.”
With their win over St. Anthony, Damien advances to the second round of the Southern Region playoffs with their eyes set on trying to make it Sacramento. They may have fallen short in their goal of winning a CIF Division title, but finishing off this season with a ring is still something that’s within reach.
“My ultimate goal is to win a championship, we’re trying to get a ring,” Thomas said. “I’m trying to get a ring with my boys, to play together as a team and have fun.”