Tag: Malik Monk

Malik Monk (Chet White/UK Athletics)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Malik Monk was not surprised by the way UCLA played Saturday when the Bruins came into Rupp Arena and won 97-92.

“We knew they were going to do that. If we let them open, they were going to make the shot. Great team, like I said before. So we were just outfought for letting them get that open,” Monk, who scored 24 points, said. “I knew they were a great team. I knew they were going to play like that and I knew they were great players. So we can’t just focus on one player and not focus on the other two. We gotta focus on every player. I knew it could happen.”  Read more... (337 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a breakout performance in historic Madison Square Garden, Kentucky freshman Malik Monk hauled in Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors on Monday. Monk was dynamic in UK’s victory over No. 13/13 Michigan State in the Champions Classic, draining seven 3-pointers en route to a career-high 23-point performance.

This marks the second consecutive week that a Wildcat has earned the league’s weekly honor for the top-performing freshman. De’Aaron Fox claimed the nod in the season’s opening week.

Monk averaged a team-high 18.5 points in the wins over the Spartans and Duquesne in Rupp Arena on Sunday.  Read more... (324 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Malik Monk. (Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Playing in New York City’s Madison Square Garden didn’t overwhelm Kentucky freshman Malik Monk. Instead, it inspired him as he had 23 points — and made six 3-pointers — in the win over Michigan State.

“Coming from Bentonville, Arkansas, I was like the top player in Arkansas, so every game was packed for me. I had a lot of adversity because I committed to Kentucky. I’m used to a lot of fans and ‘ooohs’ and all that stuff. Adversity, I’m used to all that,” Monk said after the game. ““I knew all of us would fight for each other, we love each other, we would do anything for each other, and we just do anything to win.”  Read more... (511 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Malik Monk (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Clarion coach Marcess Williams, like most Kentucky fans, was expecting to see John Calipari start guards Isaiah Briscoe, Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox in Sunday’s exhibition game. Instead, Calipari started Dominique Hawkins rather than Monnk.

“They went a little bigger than we thought, but they’re super talented. It allows them to play a little more full-court. I’ve been watching Cal coach over the years, especially with the connection with Clarion and everything,” Williams said.  Read more... (166 words, 1 image, estimated 40 secs reading time)

Malik Monk (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

NASHVILLE — Malik Monk is going to take the most shots for Kentucky this year. Or at least Kentucky coach John Calipari expects it to work that way with his freshman guard.

“Malik is a guy that can get his own shots. It’s just defining what that shot is,” Calipari said Wednesday here during the SEC Media Day.

Calipari explained last week at UK’s Media Day what adjustments Monk faced.  Read more... (267 words, 1 image, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)