Malachi Flynn is a basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. The Washington native played college basketball for Washington State before transferring to play for the San Diego State Aztecs. In his final college season, Malachi was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year.
Flynn declared for the NBA Draft after the record breaking season and was expected to join the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors. He ended up with the Raptors, and in preseason form, it looks like the team selection will pay off.
This article will look at Malachi’s parents and his career.
Malachi’s parents created a competitive home environment by encouraging their seven children to participate in sports.
Malachi Flynn was born on May 10, 1998 to Kristi and Eric Flynn in Tacoma, Washington. Her mother is white and her father is African American. Flynn’s parents created a competitive environment at home by encouraging their sons to participate in sports. Malachi was the youngest of seven children, so he was able to attend most of his games. He said sports network that stimulated his competitive side:
“There was always something going on in the house: going to a brother’s track meet, going to a sister’s basketball game. Just seeing that and definitely being competitive, all the kids. You have to fight for what you want. So it was fun growing up in the house, there was always something going on. It definitely has a huge role in who I am today.”
Flynn remembers playing with his older brothers in the parks even when he didn’t want to. The difference in age and size caused him to lose a lot, but he kept falling back. He said The San Diego Union-Tribune That it paid off: “But that’s what it takes and it ends up paying off, playing those guys one-on-one and losing, usually.”
Malachi developed his smart game by playing against bigger opponents.
Since he was a child, Malachi always played against bigger opponents. He realized that the only way he could beat them was by developing smarter plays. Despite his diminutive size, Flynn would go toe-to-toe with the giants and would often emerge victorious.
Malachi’s size wasn’t an issue in his youth, but the basketball dream didn’t seem viable when he arrived at Bellarmine Prep at 5-foot-2. Fortunately, he hit a growth spurt that took him to 6-foot-1. He joined Washington State, but after two years, he felt he needed a bigger challenge. Malachi called his coach at Bellarmine Prep, Bernie Salazar, for advice on moving to San Diego. salazar said The San Diego Union-Tribune:
“He said, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get better here.’ It was really hard for him. It wasn’t like, ‘I’m out of here.’ He has always been very loyal. That’s how he is. I told him, ‘Do what’s best for you.’”
Flynn improved exponentially in San Diego, and with an impressive final season, he sealed his ticket to the NBA. Still, at 6-foot-1, he’s considered short among the NBA’s prevailing giants. However, many promote him to reach the top due to his intelligence. Bernie Salazar accurately summed up Flynn’s game:
“One of her best attributes is that she’s really smart. His intellect is very, very good. He’s not always going to beat you with his athleticism. He’s not going to fly past you all the time or jump on you. He just he has a tremendous IQ.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn