Malik Laurent has what some might call an incredible dream: he wants to play for a premier National Basketball Association (NBA) Team in the United States.
This former Dominica Grammar School student, who now resides in the US, could achieve his goal if he continues along the path he has started.
The opportunity to further his studies and play basket ball came when he least expected it. Malik, who wasn’t really into sports and didn’t like it very much, one day found himself on the basketball court.
He was on the field with his aunt, watching his cousin’s football game when Dunstan “Maggie” Peters came up to him and asked him to try out at one of his (Peters’) trainings in basketball. Malik attended the training session and that day, what he thought would have been a hot and tiring experience, turned out to be quite enjoyable.
It was in fact, a life-changing experience for Malik as it made him realize that he very much wanted to play basketball and has been doing so ever since.
Throughout the years that followed, he trained on different aspects of his game – how to do a lay up properly, how to do a shot, how to dunk, dribble and the like. Then Brian Zamore, who runs an organization called Youth Student Athlete Developement (YSAD), came to Dominica from the United States and watched Malik play. As a student, Zamore had received a full basketball scholarship to attend Florida A&M University from 2001-2005. He graduated with a BS in Electronic Engineering and had some success as a professional basketball player in the Mexico Super League (LNBP). Now Zamore is using his experience through YSAD, to help develop Dominica’s youth.
However, Malik’s first meeting with Zamore did not go well. He didn’t quite make the first impression that he had hoped for but according to Malik, that motivated him to work harder.
Two years later, Zamore was back and this time, Malik got the breakthrough he was hoping for. He would be able to go to school in America where he would get the opportunity to show his basketball skills and hopefully, get a scholarship to go to college and play college basketball.
Before he left for the US, Malik played in the Trafalgar Basketball League for a team called the Lindo Park X men. He said opinions were divided about his basketball skills – some people thought he had talent, while others felt he was just tall. Malik insists that while his height may have played a part in getting him the opportunity, he did possess some skill.
Malik is currently attending the Lakehood Christian School in McAlester Oklahoma and was automatically brought into the basketball team of the school.
Malik said he needs to work harder because basketball in Dominica compared to basketball in America is on “a different level and has a different feeling.” He said in Dominica playing basketball most of the time is for fun, “like a sweat” but in America, it is more serious. As an athlete who’s 6 feet 6 inches tall, he said there are a lot of people in the States who are as tall and taller in many cases, taller, making it extremely competitive for him.
Malik said his first challenge upon arrival in the US was to catch up on his school work as he had double the amount of work because he started the semester late. However, he said with the help of teachers and friends, he managed to pull through.
At the school, he has access at anytime, to the gym which he says is always open to all the basketball team members and the entire school.
Malik’s goal is to go push as hard as he can to reach far in basketball and make a name for himself in Dominica and in the United States. To become a professional basketball player and play in America’s premier basketball league, the NBA, is Malik’s ultimate goal.
With two more years left of school, Malik acknowledges that in order to achieve his goal, he has to do extra training to get to the next level and so far, he says, he has been able to find a good balance between academics and sports.
As he continues to pursue his dream, Malik intends to diligently apply his own words of encouragement to others – “work hard and keep going.”
I live in Oklahoma, can someone give me his contact information?
Great job young man your head and hart is in the right place just stay straight don’t let any thing distract you. Why would any one dislike this young man progress just goes to show there is always haters in every thing this is not politics.
Amazing article…..young man put god first in all you do …..work hard remain focus …with god given talent , positive attitude and a good team around you , you’ll go places . My only advice to you is work hard and allow your school books and basketball to be your best friends and ignore the world ….. distraction and laziness is the failure of young athletes like you with talent and dream , so please shut the door on them ….good luck young man and keep working hard .
Good show malik. You will make it. Again good show.
He will make it. He is gonna get there. He has the Right Attitude, that’s the edge right there.
Good job getting him into the sport help realize his gifts. Keep being a positive influence for our young men they need that now more than ever. So many times we highlight the negatives. I have been in his shoes and only God knows what it could have been if i had the support. Played without shoes on concrete and all that jazz. Had the talent but it seems in Dominica we sit by to see one fail so we can laugh instead of seeing potential and develop. Keep it up!!!!!
Keep at it young man i know what you going through. With the right attitude and good work ethic you will make it far. It is a tall hill to climb but you cannot get there without a dream, and as long as you understand what it takes. Enjoy the experience because few get to be there and hopefully the most high has blessed you with the above average talent. You will need it.
Congratulations Malik and continue to work hard.
LETS GO !!!!!
Hold on to your dream and never allow ANYONE to make you feel like you cant. You are, what YOU believe you are!
Best of luck family, wishing you well…Go for it, but don’t be carried away!!!