Athlete of the Week: Darius Mall

Senior Darius Mall was one of the varsity starters for the boys basketball team. Having transferred from Saint Thomas Aquinas at the beginning of this school year, he says his experience playing at East was much different than at Aquinas. Mall hopes to continue his athletic career in college.

When did you start playing basketball and why were you so interested in it?

“I first started when I was seven. I really didn’t even want to play basketball. My mom had to force me to do it. I played a season and ended up loving it. Since then, I have played it every day.”

How did you prepare for this basketball season?

“I just mentally told myself, ‘This is my year. [I’ve] got to go out there and show everyone what I’m about. There’s nothing to lose. It’s my last year and the last time I may ever see the court.’”

How has basketball at East been different then basketball at Aquinas?

“Basketball at East has been different because everyone was more welcoming, like the coaches, staff and the players. I just felt at home. At Aquinas, everyone just wanted to do their own thing.”

How welcoming was everyone when you first came to East and what was that process like? 

“It was like day one, immediately, everyone was talking to me and telling me to sit with them at lunch and come do something with them. The [East] basketball team over the summer really showed me how welcoming everyone was.” 

How has basketball formed bonds with your teammates that you will continue even though the season is over?

“I think that in practice, having that competitive nature and going at each other every day and pushing each other to be better has really made the bonds stronger. Having the memories we have made throughout the season — winning and losing games and going through adversity — has brought us a lot closer together. I think we will cherish those memories in the future when we see each other.”

How do you think the season went, both individually and as a team?

“I think the season went really well. We started off rough, but once we all bought in and said to ourselves that, ‘We can do this,’ and that, ‘We are going to be a really good team,’ it got better. I think the adversity showed us how badly we wanted to win. It really showed us that we can do it.”

What, if any, plans do you have to continue playing basketball after high school?

“I have a dream to play at the next level. If I can, I will. I’ll go anywhere. If I can play basketball, I’m going to go do it. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll find a college that has stuff I’m interested in and I’ll figure out my life from there.”

What advice would you give to underclassmen who want to play varsity basketball?

“I’d say don’t listen to everyone saying that you can’t. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. You need to tell yourself that you can. If you go in every day and work hard and do your best, you will achieve your goals.”