For Malik Dunbar, playing basketball at the highest level was something he was determined to pursue for as long as he can remember. Growing up in North Augusta, South Carolina, Malik remembers watching Julius Erving from a very young age and being inspired to embark on a journey of his own playing the game. This was just the beginning. Over the following years, Malik continued to dive into the world of basketball and strengthen his skills on the court. He was all in. After graduating from high school, Malik began his collegiate career at the College of Central Florida before transferring to Auburn University—where he would go on to not only help the team in their 2019 NCAA Tournament run to the Final Four, but would also solidify his commitment to pursuing a professional career in the sport upon graduation. Sure enough, he did just that. Since graduating, Malik has played overseas in Germany and Egypt before returning to the States to play in the NBA G League this season. Currently, Malik is playing with the Santa Cruz Warriors and is excited to continue working towards his goal of playing in the NBA. Along with this, he is also looking forward to giving back to communities and paying it forward in the years to come through his personal ventures off the court. Amazing!
Let’s dive into your journey early on! You attended the College of Central Florida before transferring to Auburn University. Could you share more with us about your time playing at each of those universities?
College of Central Florida, that was my JUCO. I had a good time there. I was really locked in and felt like I just had to turn it up a little notch when I was there. It was a great experience and I met some good people. Coach Tim Ryan was the coach there. I met some good hoopers and made some lifetime friends and brothers in JUCO. The same at Auburn too—that was just on a bigger scale. They showed me crazy love when I got there and were just attached to me ever since I stepped foot there. My team was just real family-oriented, so I just loved the whole atmosphere of Auburn itself.
How was that transition from the College of Central Florida to Auburn like for you? What were some challenges that you faced early on?
I remember when I first got there, they pushed me. It was just a whole other experience. The players were a lot better in (terms) of their foundation, their resources, and their equipment. We had to fight to get in the gym in JUCO. At Auburn, it was just easier to get in the gym. Honestly, I can't say that it was a difficult situation. Once I left JUCO (and) went to Auburn, I was ready for that. As soon as I got there, that's all I ever wanted—just that whole atmosphere of the college level. I just embraced it.
"Just the whole family atmosphere. When I got there, Coach Bruce Pearl and (his) staff showed me a crazy amount of love. They had my name, my face, and my highlights on the football field. It just felt like it was the right thing to do, honestly. That was (also) one of my top schools. Auburn just felt different. It's a feeling that I can't really explain. My family loved it, my kids loved it, and it just felt like the right move for me. "
- Malik on some things that drew him to Auburn University.
How do you think your game elevated during your time in college to prepare you for the next level?