By Nick Pantages
@nick_pantages22
Malloy Smith loves winning.
The 6-foot-6 point guard has been with Mater Dei for the last four years, and has shined in his current role for the Monarchs, even though it was not always this way. He waited his turn for two years, just to stick with a program that wins.
“I’ve been here all four years. I’ve had the best coaching you could possibly have,” Smith said. “Development wise, it’s a winning program. We have a great history of players who come back and teach us great, valuable lessons that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Smith is also the son of two-time NBA Champion and fan-favorite host of Inside the NBA Kenny Smith. Kenny made the trip up to Blake Arena to watch Malloy play, something that doesn’t go unnoticed to his son.
“He’s out here today,” Smith said. “He doesn’t have to do that. He travels all the way to most of my games that are away games in other states.”
Kenny can help teach Smith some valuable lessons as well.
During the summer, Smith plays for his fathers AAU program, The Jet Academy. Along with coming to his son’s games, his dad also takes a very hands-on approach in helping Smith develop his own game.
“He’s been great. I mean, I can’t thank him enough,” Smith said. “He’s been able to get in the gym with me, whether I’m with a trainer or not. He’s always there to give his two cents, so that no matter if I’m working out with him or somebody else, or even at practice, he’s able to instrument it into my workouts with just him or with other people involved as well.”
Smith does possess a very different game from his father however, as he uses his size very well on both ends of the floor. Even though he is listed as one of the tallest players on the Mater Dei roster, during his game against Notre Dame Fairfield at the Panini Hoophall Classic he often brought the ball up and initiated the offense for the Monarchs throughout the game.
This size at the position has been very beneficial for Smith on the court.
“That advantage is key,” Smith said. “Especially with pressing, when the team runs a 2-2-1 zone, I’m able to see over the defense, especially in high school, when the two guards are usually shorter than me, I’m able to see down the floor. When I get into the lane, I’m able to post up or pop out. So I have a lot of options.”
Despite a loss to Notre Dame, Smith put up 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Oftentimes, in transitions or early in half-court possessions, Smith was able to get to the rim by driving to his left. This is unorthodox for a right handed player like Smith, but he found success either finishing at the rim or drawing a foul on these drives, which included shooting 7-8 from the free throw line.
This move is not intentional from Smith, but rather something he has naturally done throughout his career.
“I feel like dribbling with my left hand and then pulling up for the mid range shot, it’s easier than going from right hand right pocket into shot, going from left hand is better,” Smith said. “I feel like I can finish pretty well with my left hand as well. So I can go there, or I can always just spin back to the right side.”
He also seems poised to make an impact at the next level. Smith has received a number of Division I offers, including making a visit to the University of California, but has not yet made a decision on his future.
He does know one thing however, and that is to find a similar winning program like Mater Dei.
“I just want to be able to be a part of a winning program that has a deep history, which is why I sat, I waited my turn to be able to do what I’m doing today. I feel like a deep culture and good coaching [is important to me].”
Photo courtesy of Kaleb Knowles/The Student