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  • 05:49 PM ET  07.11
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Team Philly standout and GBOA East 1st teamer Maalik Wayns is somewhat of a patriot.  He embodies the qualities American sports fans hold in high regard: toughness, resilience and a desire to win.  All of these make him a perfect candidate to don the U.S.A. national jersey and compete in the U-18 FIBA World Championships. 

Wayns is from Philadelphia and at 6'1, being a tough ball player is a staple and necessity in order to excel.  "Philadelphia guards play hard," Maalik says and his play fits that bill entirely. The U.S. U-18 coach Bob McKillop feels the same way about Maalik's skills, "He has bought into the concept that a point guard gets us into the offense...his decision-making is impeccable."

Maalik has already committed to playing ball for Villanova but will have one more year of high school to complete an already stellar H.S. career.  As a junior at Roman Catholic in Philadelphia he averaged 24 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds a game.  His all around game was impressive enough to earn him All GBOA 1st Team honors at the East Regional back in May. 

But scoring isn't a priority on Maalik's mind on the national team.  It's all about defense and coach McKillop agrees stating, "It is a learning process that you need to not just guard your man but you have to be able to defend all five players."  This is a practice that Maalik is no stranger to.  "Everybody where I come from can play defense...guarding your man and locking him down, that's what's important," he stated.

The U-18 team will play at the FIBA Americas Championship beginning July 14 in Argentina. A fourth place finish or better will give them a berth in next years World Championship in New Zealand.   

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