- November 4, 2024
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Malik Maitland has never doubted himself on the basketball court, no matter where he was playing.
Born and raised in Long Island, New York, one of the nation’s top basketball states, Maitland learned how to play basketball at the age of five, and he has yet to put the ball down. While he continued to learn the game, Maitland skills got better, and coaches from all the five New York boroughs began to take notice.
“He’s always been the best,” said Yvonne Maitland, Malik’s mother. “All the coaches just told me to bring him to our team. Malik has a gift.”
Maitland excelled on the court on every team he played for while living in New York, and then his family decided to move to Palm Coast.
“Moving from place to place was not a bad thing,” Maitland said. “It’s helped me mature and see the world.”
After playing for several schools in middle school and his first year in high school, Maitland finally settled at Father Lopez, where he has become one of the top players in the area.
After sparking interest from many colleges, Maitland chose to sign his letter of intent with Morehead State University in Kentucky.
“This means a lot to me,” he added. “It’s a day where I give God tremendous thanks because I know that without him, none of this would be possible.”
Maitland will play his senior year alongside his younger brother, Mario, a sophomore for the Green Wave, who boasted of finally beating his older brother last year and regularly now.
“He makes excuses, but I know he plays his hardest, when we play,” Mario Maitland said. But, I’m proud of what he has done. He worked really hard for this.”
Maitland hopes that he can end his high school career as a champion, but if not, he will always feel at home with a basketball in his hand.
When I’m on the court, I feel like I’m in heaven,” Maitland said. “I may not know how heaven exactly feels, but I just know that I get really happy out there. Nothing makes me happier.”
