Prospect Spotlight: Maleek Arington (2022 Auburn HS)
The Boss of Ball Elite Showcase kicked off on Saturday morning and players from throughout the state of Washington descended onto the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia for some instruction and competitive action for the first time in literally months.…
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Continue ReadingThe Boss of Ball Elite Showcase kicked off on Saturday morning and players from throughout the state of Washington descended onto the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia for some instruction and competitive action for the first time in literally months. Maleek Arington Maleek Arington 6'3" | PG Auburn | 2022 State WA was one of the standouts of the first session and the saavy 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard from Auburn was simply happy to be on the hardwood.
“I’ve really just been working out – I haven’t really been able to do anything else,” Arington said. “It felt great (to be playing) as I haven’t done that in a while. I mean no one has, so people didn’t really have stamina because they’ve been sitting around too much.”
“I feel like I could have done a little better but I did what I needed to do and I ended up getting some of the most points because I was on the winning team a lot,” he continued. “It was good competition.”
At the event, Arington turned heads with his playmaking ability and court vision. He was in full control of the offense when he has the ball in his hands and his decision making often led to easy buckets for his teammates. Arington set the pace with his dribble and showed the ability to look off defenses one way and fire a pinpoint pass the other direction to a cutting teammate for a wide open score.
Arington also got a lot of opportunity playing without the ball in the scrimmages and it’s something he’s been preparing himself for this off-season. “I’ve been mostly working on my shooting, coming off of screens and shooting the three ball,” Arington said. “Last year I wasn’t really shooting like that but I’ve been working on my jumper – so don’t leave me open.”
Since the high school season ended, Arington has been one of the biggest stock risers in the state in the Class of 2022. He’s received calls from schools all up and down the West Coast from schools such as Cal Poly, Boise State, Utah, UC Santa Barbara, and Portland State. Montana offered him a scholarship the first day they give him a call. (Note: After talking with us at the event, Washington State offered Arington and his Auburn teammate Tre Blassingame Tre Blassingame 6'5" | SG Auburn | 2022 State WA a scholarship on a Facetime call in the parking lot.)
Arington – who notes that he keeps a white board at home with a list of dream schools including Oregon, Arizona, and Kentucky written on it – has appreciated all the attention and is simply soaking it all in. “I was surprised how much attention I’ve been getting as I didn’t really play on a circuit team,” Arrington said. “So I’m just happy that I’m finally getting noticed. I want to keep pushing because I’m not done.”
Of course, Arington still has two years of high school ball left to play. Up next, whenever club ball continues, will be playing with Rotary and for them he has a simple goal. “Just win games and that’s about it,” Arington said.
Arington currently ranks as the #11 player in the PrepHoops Washington Class of 2022 rankings.