Prospect Spotlight: Malik Rose (2022 Central Catholic HS)

<p>Now that the school year has ended, there will be players across the state transferring to new school homes for the 2020-21 season. There will also other guys moving in brand new and one young man you'll need to be aware of is <strong>Malik Rose</strong>. The quick 5-foot-9 point guard, who's currently playing AAU basketball with International Elite, will be a junior at Central Catholic having moved up here from Folsom, California.</p> <p>"I decided to move here for better opportunities in sports and it's closer to family," Rose said. "My uncle is an alum of Central Catholic so I already had information about the school and how it was. I did a shadow there and it was really good - I really enjoyed the school."</p> <p>Rose comes to the Rams from Folsom where he played on the varsity squad the past two seasons. In action so far with International Elite, he's shown himself as a quick floor leader - pretty much how he self-describes what he brings to the table on the hardwood. "I'm athletic, fast, and I can be flashy," Rose said. "I facilitate and keep the tempo and I can score at will if you need me to."</p> <p>Rose only got up to Portland a couple of weeks ago but before and since then, he's been working hard on his craft. "I'm working expanding my game, shooting threes further back so I can create for myself," Rose said. "Also on-ball screens - I'm working on that as well."</p> <p>Rose arrives in Oregon already a bit of a known commodity with college coaches. He notes that he's gotten early contact from schools such as Portland, Sacramento State, UC Davis, and UC San Diego. It's obviously early for him but he has an idea what he's looking at both on and off the court - and when you use the word court, in more ways than one.</p> <p>"Everything has been starting up and starting to roll and I'm excited," Rose said. "I want to play D-I obviously and hopefully go as far as the ball takes me. And if not, I actually want to go into law - my grandfather was a defense attorney so I'd like to continue that."</p> <p>Rose has enjoyed being in the Rose City so far and has been getting accustomed to his International Elite teammates, who have all played in events in Sacramento and Oklahoma thus far. "We've gelled really well," Rose said. "I feel like we'll do good this year for the time that we have. I just want to win and bond outside the court. I want to make connections and friendships that last long."</p> <p>Rose is not yet ranked in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2022 rankings but will be added in the next iteration.  He was previously ranked #14 in the PrepHoops Northern California Class of 2022 rankings.</p>