Malik Hardmon wrote his own script on the hardwood at Allen Community College the last two years. Now, he is reaping the benefits.
The 6-5 forward will be taking his talents to Alcorn State University in Mississippi, an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
After receiving a number of offers, Hardmon said he felt Alcorn was the best fit for his future.
“They were a school that offered me a position. They had a decent record. And as a D-I program, I just saw a lot of opportunity,” Hardmon said. “In the end it was a blessing, so I just took it.”
Hardmon will be coming off an unstoppable season, where he finished second in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference in points per game, averaging 19.2. The personal accolades came as well in 2019-20, earning first team All-Region and All-Conference honors.
A Chicago native, Hardmon felt having success in a different state wouldn’t be any different. Leaving family hundreds of miles away is always hard, but Hardmon says they remain by his side.
“They were cool with it,” Hardmon said. “I went JUCO to go Division I, so they saw it as I finally accomplished my dream. I know they wanted me to be closer, but they are happy with me.”
A power forward at ACC, Hardmon will likely have to adjust to the small forward position at Alcorn, but he is ready for the challenge.
“It’s a lot of hard work to transfer what you do to the three,” Hardmon said. “It is one switching from a shooting guard to a small forward because you are still playing that guard roll. To switch from a stretch four to almost a guard, you have to think what can I take and what can I not take to that position.”
Hardmon says finding a home after ACC was no easy feat. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the recruiting scene entirely, with recruits not being able to make visits in the spring, normally a heavy recruitment time for junior college transfers.
When players prepare to transfer, they enter a transfer portal. Hardmon points out that the portal was plugged with players, and he wanted to ensure his spot. Alcorn, a 15-15 program on the rise — seemed to fit the bill.
“I wasn’t able to take my visits, and a lot of the schools I was expecting offers from didn’t happen because of COVID-19,” Hardmon said. “The transfer portal was crazy, and I picked Alcorn quickly because there were so many players in the portal that were looking for schools.”
Hardmon has spent his days post-ACC in his Chicago, living through the COVID-19 pandmeic. Through the quarantine period, Hardmon still found a way to stay in shape.
“I found a way. They wanted me to sit still, but I found a way,” Hardmon said. “I have hit up a couple weight coaches and done some stuff outside — I’ve gotten some work in.”
Also taking up Hardmon’s time in isolation was ESPN’s 10-part documentary series “The Last Dance,” which focussed on the Bulls final NBA title in 1998. Being from Chicago, and getting an in-depth look at one of the city’s heroes was a summer highlight for Hardmon.
