In the 26 year existence of the Fraport Skyliners, there are 3 things that fans definatly won´t ever forget. One winning titles as they have accomplished 3 so far and forever remembering the playing memories of their own legends Pascal Roller and Quantez Robertson. There is one new Skyliner player this year who could be connected to 2 of 3 of these things. His name is Malik Parsons (190-G-1999, college: NWOSU). One is winning. He is in his second professional season and already won 2 titles as a rookie with the Danish league title and international with the ENBL. He showed his leadership qualities last season with the Bakken Bears. He also understands that the Skyliner organization is hungry again for winning in the easyCredit BBL. “I wanted to sign with the Skyliners because they just had a good season and I believe I can keep the momentum going. The most enticing thing that made me want to join is the winning reputation”, stressed Malik Parsons. The other connection is to how Quantez Robertson played as a professional player. Recently I observed the Frankfurt Skyliners play a test game against UK team Caledonia Gladiators. It was my first time seeing Parsons play and I was overjoyed with his energy and freak athleticism. Nobody will ever replace Quantez Robertson, but wouldn´t it be a delight to have another player that has that had that type of explosiveness and athleticism that Tez had? His new teammate Trey Calvin definitely feels like he could be on many highlight reels this season. ““He is definitely a freak athlete. He can jump out of the building and is flashy with the ball. We will really need him at the guard position this season”, warned Trey Calvin.

Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson at his retirement ceremony in Frankfurt in 2024

Malik Parsons who lists Issac Jones, Donnie Watson, Brian Free, Marcus Vinther and Larry White as his 5 best teammates of all-time was born on August 17th, 1999 in San Diego, California and also grew up there. He began his basketball career at Lincoln High School. He then got enormous basketball experience playing at 1 college and 2 universities. He began at Wenatchee Valley College (JUCO) averaging 27.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.2%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 70.7% and in his second season averaged 21.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 70.4%. How often has one seen Americans having to pay their dues in JUCO. Like is always the case guys sweating extra in JUCO never have any regrets,” My two seasons at Wenatchee Valley College were tough but I enjoyed the challenge and it was worth it. It was a great learning experience and a stepping stone in my basketball journey”, stressed Malik Parsons. He was an absolute walking bucket and proved he was way too good for JUCO, but he is thankful for the great guidance that Jeremy Harden gave him for the 2 years there. “Head coach Harden was very vital in my game to develop and prepare me for the NCAA 2. He taught me how to be as a player and understand the game at a higher level”, stated Malik Parsons. He then played a season at Chaminade University (NCAA2). He was living in paradise in Hawaii, but at the time basketball and Covid were rough for him. “This season was tough only playing 12 games because I had difficulty finding my role in the team”, remembered Malik Parsons. He only played 12 games averaging averaging 9.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 62.5%. He scored in double figures 7 timers including scoring 16 points against Hawaii-Hilo. He then finished at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA2) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 75.6% and in his second season his game exploded as he averaged 24.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 75.8%. He gave the definition basketball gym rat a new meaning. “My game grew in the second season because coach Harman had the upmost confidence in me and I was working on my game consistently”, added Malik Parsons. In his 2 seasons he played 55 games and scored in double figures in 40 games. He had 2 40 point plus explosions with 45 against SE Oklahoma and 41 points against UAM. He also hit OKBU for 36 points and Cameron for 34 points. “My most memorable game at Northwestern Oklahoma State University was beating our rival school in our gym. The atmosphere was loud, supportive, and enjoyable”, remembered Malik Parsons. His scoring was so explosive in his senior year that he couldn´t take the full credit for it. “ Head coach Harman best prepared me for a professional career by always holding me accountable and giving me insight from his professional experience”, stressed Malik Parsons who remembers winning 1-1 duels against Brian Free but there were days where he performed stronger than I did”, said Malik Parsons.

The California native who lists Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore came overseas in 2023 and played his rookie season with the Bakken Bears. So many guys come overseas have massive problems adjusting to a different culture and different style of play, but for him, everything fit. He showed he could be a leader as a rookie on a team with incredible veterans like Skyler Bowlin, Ryan Evans or Michel Diouf and put up stellar stats with 14.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 68.5% in the Danish League and 16.7ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 78.0% in the Fiba Europe Cuo and and in the averaging 14.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 63.3% in the ENBL league. He was a central figure in the finals series against Naestved where he scored 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in game 4 88-86 victory. “I will always have the memory of losing in the third quarter but staying composed as a team in the fourth quarter to win”, stressed Malik Parsons. Who knows how his season would have turned out personally on and off the court without the big 3 of ultra veterans Michel Diouf, Ryan Evans and Skyler Bowlin? “Michel Diouf, Ryan Evans and Skyler Bowlin all had a different impact on me. I had a different relationship with each one and they supported me in various ways”, remembered Malik Parsons. In the Danish league he scored in double figures in 27 of 33 games including hitting Herlev for 28 points and Randers for 25 points while in the Fiba Europe cup and ENBL league had big games against FC Porto with 29 points and Newcastle E with 20 points. He now has a new challenge with the Frankfurt Skyliners. He didn´t have to do much research about his new basketball home. “I know that Frankfurt, Germany is a big city and that the basketball there is competitive”, warned Malik Parsons. Making the decision to come to Frankfurt wasn´t a difficult one as getting good advice and being able to play for a driven coach like Denis Wucherer helped. “I received tips from Skyler Bowlin about the easyCredit BBL. He told me that the game is more physical and I can’t take any breaks out there. The talks I had with head coach Wucherer went good. He told me the team is taking a step up in divisions and that I need to be ready at all times”, commented Malik Parsons.

The freak athlete who has Kobe Bryant as his personal basketball GOAT because of his drive and ability to destroy his opponents is a player who doesn´t have just a very good basketball player as to whom he would compare his game best to, but for many the greatest with Lebron James. Fans already received a good taste of how he plays as driving, explosiveness and athleticism are massive in his game, but how defined is his scoring? He was a walking bucket in JUCO and in Denmark, but isn´t a 3 level scorer yet. “I am working towards being a 3 level scorer and focused on this in the off season. In relation to my scoring skills I would define myself as a shot creator”, explained Malik Parsons. He has shown flashes of being a solid three point shooter, but the consistency simply isn´t there yet. “It is shot confidence that is still affecting my shooting”, warned Malik Parsons. He has shown at many different levels already that he can be that impact defender. He has huge goals with what type of defender he wants to become. “At the moment I am a solid defender and I am striving to become a 2 way player”, warned Malik Parsons. And imagine how lethal the Skyliners will be with their three point shooting if he can shoot the ball as well as a Trey Calvin? ““I am working on shooting more efficient shots and working on my 3 ball to improve my game”, said Malik Parsons. No matter what the excitement for the new season is already huge as the BCM was as full as it ever was recently for a test game. Frankfurt last won a title in 2016 and reached the playoffs in 2018. The organization is starving for success in the easyCredit BBL again. They may not reach the playoffs, but staying in the league would be a good start. “I feel confident that I can support the Frankfurt Skyliners staying in the BBL this upcoming season. I do not feel any pressure of having to keep the team in the BB”, warned Malik Parsons.