Malik Albert (#12 | 6-2 | 170 lbs | G | Jr.)
The surprise addition of the offseason, Malik Albert was brought on board towards the end of June by first-year Creighton assistant Preston Murphy. He practiced with the team during their summer sessions as they prepared to go overseas and play three games in Italy. In those contests the 6-foot-2 combo guard finished third on the team with 12.7 points per game, and led the team with 20 points in their 119-47 win over Oleggio in the first game of the trip. He played the most minutes of any Bluejay over in Italy, and finished second on the team in field goals made, 3-point field goals made, and assists.
Malik Albert at 2015 Bluejay Madness Slam Dunk Contest (CLICK TO BUY)
With Tyler Clement as the only point guard on the team behind Maurice Watson Jr. with any experience at the college level, Albert’s addition adds a scoring punch to a position that was thought to be a question mark as far as who could fill a reserve role. While Albert’s slashing and shooting are the things most will notice during practices and games, he has an impressive vertical that may lead to some highlight reel finishes. At 170 pounds on his best day he won’t be throwing down dunks over some of the post players he’ll see against the likes of Oklahoma, Indiana, and the rest of the Big East, but if he gets out in the open floor, he won’t have trouble rocking the rim and bringing the crowd to their feet.
As an option to spell Watson at the point guard position, taking care of the ball will need to be a major point of emphasis for Albert. If he can do that and keep the offense from getting stagnant, he should give Greg McDermott the option to conserve some of his starting point guard’s minutes for the stretch run in order to avoid fatigue setting in when the games matter the most.
Mott Community College (Flint, Michigan)
- was named a NJCAA Division II First Team All-American as a sophomore in 2013-14
- averaged 24.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game as a sophomore
- ranked eighth-best nationally in scoring average as a sophomore
- averaged 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a freshman
- scored 1,248 points in first two seasons
Head Coach Greg McDermott on Albert:
“He’s getting there. You know it’s a process. I think anytime — whether you’re coming from high school or a junior college — you’re learning a new system, and he hasn’t played basketball for over a year, so I think he’s starting to feel more comfortable as time goes on. He had moments against Missouri — he had four assists, no turnovers, so he did a good job of taking care of the basketball, and obviously he can score. We’ll use him primarily as the backup point guard right now.”
5-on-5 with Malik Albert
Q: What were some of the main factors in why you decided to play at Creighton?
A: “One of the main factors was definitely [assistant coach Preston Murphy]. He was recruiting me throughout my high school and junior college career. He’s an outstanding guy. He’s real up front. No matter what school he went to, whether it was a low major or a mid major, I was going to follow him, because of his personality and the way he is. He’s just a really great guy. I think he was at Rhode Island when I was in junior college, and he came to a lot of my games. He showed consistency, so I knew he was going to do the same whether I went to a low major, a mid major, or a high major like I am now.”
Q: What has been the most challenging part of the transition to this level of college basketball?
A: “On the court, I would say the competition is way tougher, and the defense is way more intense. The way Coach Mac wants to play defense, and everything we’re doing is hard. Even if we’re just running or just doing push ups or jumping jacks, everything we do is hard. In community college it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as hard as everything we do here.”
Q: The team was picked 9th in the preseason poll. What did you think of that selection, and what are your expectations for this group this season?
A: “I didn’t think they were a pretty bad team last year, they just lost a lot of close games. My expectations for this year are that we are going to be a top team in our conference. I think we have a much better team all around. We got guys that can compete at every spot from Maurice starting to me. From Isaiah to Tazz. From Toby to Cole. I think we have a lot of backups, and people who can come in and perform the same way as the starters. Whoever is in the starting five, the second five can come in and do the same, and help the team the same way that the starting five can.”
Q: When the schedule was released which game did you circle as one you are anticipating the most, or maybe one trip you’re looking forward to taking?
A: “I’m happy to play against anybody. Even when we play our first game to the last game. The low majors to the high majors, I’m just blessed and happy to be here. Growing up I never thought I would play Division 1 basketball, because of my academics and where I’m from, and my background. Everything was flowing to the left, and I had to get back on track. I didn’t redshirt, but I had to sit out a year and finish some classes; driving an hour from home to school every morning, so I’m just happy to be here. If I have to pick a game that I’m most excited for it would have to be the Indiana game just because it’s at Indiana, and it’s maybe five hours from my home, so I can have some family come.”
Q: When your time at Creighton is over, what will you have hoped to accomplish as a Bluejay?
A: “I definitely want a degree. It would be a good thing to get a degree out of Creighton, because they’re a top 5 academic school. On the basketball court, I want to win a national championship. That’s everybody’s goal.”