No matter what his future holds, Malik is a true L1C4.
He committed to Rick. Played hard for Padgett. Stayed for Mack. Fought through injuries and even came back for this year. He could've shut it down, but he fought tooth & nail to get in the lineup this season with the risk of injury. This guys gave it his all.
When it would've been easy for mass transfers after Rick, he and guys like Nwora, VJ, Darius Perry, & Ryan stayed and kept the program running.
I think we'll look back on the 2018 & 2019 teams in a more positive light in the next few years. Things could've fallen apart had it not been for a great group of guys. Cardinal graduate Padgett took over the team because the guys wanted him. The players didn't transfer and didn't quit. I mean from Rick's firing, to the UVA collapse, the Duke comeback, and other things, they didn't give up.I wish I could give this post a thousand likes. One of the best I've ever read on this forum in regards to Louisville basketball. Cheers, sir.
It's led to us having a good roster these last 3 years. It's led to Mack being able to get good recruits. It's kept interest in the program. I love what these guys have done and wish they'd get their proper due.
Scott is just a top notch guy all around. I always loved his point-forward action when he’d come out and handle the ball. He had such a high IQ.Again, all spot-on and totally agree. When the Bowen stuff came out and Rick was fired, I predicted we'd be holding tryouts for walk-ons in year 3 post-Rick. Instead we had a team ranked #1 in the country at one point in the season in year 3 post-Rick. It all started with the tone that Padgett set in a situation that he didn't ask for. I really wish he had gotten a HC gig somewhere.