Malik Bullock (183-PG, college: JWU, NC) is a German/American 183cm guard that is playing his first season in Germany with BG Hagen (Regionalliga). He grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and played at / Southeast Raleigh High School. He ten played at Johnson And Wales University in North Carolina from 2016-2020. He has pro experfeince in Italy with Basket Cassino (Italy-Serie C), Yes Basketball Gussago (Italy-Serie C) and B-Chem Virtus Basket Porto San Giorgio (Italy-Serie C). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Malik for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you and how is basketball life treating you?

Appreciate the opportunity, I’m here in Hagen & thankful to be back on the court. Especially on a team as talented as this one.

Your playing your third pro season. You were born in Heidelberg, Germany, went to school and played 2 pro seasons in Italy. That isn´t your normal basketball journey is it?

Far from normal honestly. I don’t know anyone personally who’s had a journey like mine. I take pride in how far I’ve came & the challenges I defeated to get here.

Talk a little about your childhood? I presume you grew up in the States to a German mom and American dad? What do you know in general about Germany and what their connections do you have to it?

Correct, my dad was in the army and stationed in Germany when he met my mom. They got married and moved back and forth from Germany to USA before I was born. After I was born in Heidelberg and we moved to North Carolina before I was 2 and I lived there ever since. Growing up we did take summer trips to Germany to visit my Oma & Opa. I always enjoyed and looked forward to my trips. It made me feel special anytime I had the chance to visit.

You came late to BG Hagen. What kind of an experience has it been playing for a winning team?

Anytime you’re on a winning team it’s a good feeling. Everyone has been helping me learn the plays / systems and off the court if I need anything they have been helpful. I’m grateful for this.

You haven´t played much so far averaging only 7 minutes. Are you being groomed a bit longer before getting more minutes?

Yeah definitely just getting back in the rhythm of playing. I wasn’t able to play in the first half of the season so for me it’s about confidence and being in the best possible shape I can be in.

You played the last 2 seasons in Italy in Serie C. How would you compare the Serie C to German Regionalliga in terms of style and player talent?

It’s definitely two different leagues I would say. In Italy I feel it’s more technical. It’s more structure & tactics. Maybe a little slower pace game as well. Here in Germany the imports make the talent level higher compared to Serie C. More imports for each team while also still having good local players

What do you hope will be your role with BG Hagen in the stretch run?

Number 1 for me is winning it all. I would love to come here and bring my experience of winning Serie C championship along with my energy on both ends of the floor. I feel I can be the missing piece for this team.

What has it been like being teammates with multi talented and versatile Shawn Scott? How has he helped you in the early going?

I played with Shawn for a couple months in Biggese during the Covid year. We’ve been friends ever since and we always support each other. For me to be able to play with him again is a blessing. He has helped me from day 1 since I’ve been here on & off the court. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.

Shouldn´t Shawn Scott be playing in a higher league? What has amazed you most about his game so far?

Yes, no doubt about that. Shawn is special player and to be able to see him 4 years ago to today it’s crazy. I think my favorite part about Shawn’s game is he holds himself accountable. I’ve seen skilled players who take nights off or don’t practice or blame others for their mistakes. I’ve never seen him do any of those things. He could be 7-7 FG in a game but if he missed one you can tell he wanted to make it. I think that’s a quality you can’t teach.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I consider myself a true Combo Guard. I can play with / without the ball in my hands & be equally as dangerous. I watch a lot of CJ McCollum. The way he can get any shot off is something I try to emulate. My favorite player in euro leaugue is Mike James. I’ve had some coaches / teammates say I resemble him. I think players who are crafty & can create their own shots while also can make their teammates better fit my game.

Talk a little about your strengths on the court: What kind of player are you and what kind of player do you still want to become?

I feel my IQ is the most important strength. I love playing, watching, & talking about basketball. I am a true “ basketball head “. I love playing P&R, I can shoot if you go under, attack the open area if you go over & find the open man if you hedge. Same with if I am the wing on a P&R, I can find the open space for myself to get open shot as well as space for my big.

What kind of a defender are you? Are you more than just a disruptive fast guard that likes to get into passing lanes?

I thought I was a great defender until I got to college and learned it’s more to defense than just getting steals. On / Off ball I feel is just important as a player. You have to know where to be at all times & as a guard I have to be communicating loud and clear to my teammates.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to move up the basketball ladder?

Definitely becoming a lockdown defender. I want to be a guy a coach can trust me put me on the opposing team’s best guard. I think this along with elevating my knockdown shooting ability will be the key to me climbing the basketball ladder.

You played the last 2 seasons for 3 teams in Italy with Basket Cassino (Italy-Serie C), Yes Basketball Gussago (Italy-Serie C) and B-Chem Virtus Basket Porto San Giorgio (Italy-Serie C). What kind of an experience was it for you? How is the basketball life in a lower league in Italy like?

I didn’t know much about Italy when I arrived but I’m extremely thankful for the time I spent in Italy. I met so many amazing people & I found a love for Italy as a country. I was able to play near Rome & also Milan both have top notch food / history.

You played mostly with Italian players. How did you experience the time meshing with Italian guys? Was there one player that you had a special bond with?

I’d have to say Aziz Yabre. He really helped me so much off the court when I first got to Italy I know for a fact I wouldn’t have made it without him. Me & him lead Cassino to win Serie C Championship in 2022. It was really special. We grew such a brotherhood and created so many memories I’m forever thankful I met him.

How do you feel did your game grow in Italy in the last 2 years? After coming from the States was it like a culture shock what you had to get used to on the court?

Being in situations I never experienced in America really helped my mental toughness & being able to play in any situation. It’s different when you’re 5,000 miles away from home & a coach is yelling at you in a different language. Your teammates don’t even want to translate the crazy things he’s yelling at you. But it’s all a part of the grind and it only makes you stronger!

What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from USA?

My second day in Italy I ate something my stomach did not agree with I believe it was mushrooms. I couldn’t finish a practice the first week without running to the bathroom. I lost over 10 pounds & it was my first pro season. Again shoutout Aziz for helping me get over it and also translating to the society on my situation. I never ate mushrooms after that day.

You played at Johnson and Wales University, NC from 2016-2020. You had a lot of success reaching a Final 4. How did your game grow in this time?

Yeah my junior season we lost in the national championship and my senior year we were the #1 seed for majority of the year and we lost in final four. I loved my time at JWU, it was a small school and didn’t have much success before I got there but had a lot of potential. Me & Majerle Poole came in 2016 together and graduated together with the most wins in school history. The biggest part of my game that grew was definitely my catch & shoot3 ability. I didn’t shoot many in college and now I consider shooting the 3 one of my best attributes.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kajuan Madden-McAfee?

Me. That’s my little brother, if you ask him he would probably say himself as well ! But definitely some of the toughest 1v1 matchups I ever had. Me, him, Chris Greer & Brandon Kostyk all lived together and we would literally play 2v2 full court everyday.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

Chris Clemons. He’s 4th all time in D1 Points Scored. He’s from Raleigh as well & I’ve had the chance to play him twice in college and during the summers at Lifetime fitness. I have the most upmost respect for him. I’ve also had the chance to play in open gym against Colby White & Patrick Williams.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time.

That’s hard honestly, I’ve played with so many great teammates. I’ll just name 5 of my hometown teammates Malik Ford, Charles Jackson, John Baker, Caleb Hill & Keyon Grant. Those guys pushed me growing up. I’m still friends with all them and they support me everyday on my journey.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Kobe, Lebron, Curry, Shaq I can’t speak on players before 1998

Who is your GOAT and why?

My favorite player of all time is Kobe. I grew up idolizing Kobe. Nobody could tell me Kobe wasn’t the best ever. But as I got older and really started studying basketball. I’d have to say Lebron. I mean he’s in year 20 averaging 25, 7 & 8. He’s done things we may never see again from a player. The 3-1 2016 comeback I think is what solidified him being the best ever in my eyes. I don’t think any other player could have did that besides Lebron.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I didn’t get a chance to watch it, but from the reviews I’ve heard I’m glad I didn’t.

Thanks Malik for the chat