Shot blocker Manylok “Mayo” Malek set to make return for fourth season

Returning to the Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants last season, Manylok “Mayo” Malek has again re-signed with the club ahead of the 2023 NBL1 West season.

A familiar face for home crowds, Malek is set to dominate the front-court, providing size, defense, scoring and veteran leadership to the team.

Moving into his fourth year with the Giants, the 205cm player who led in blocks last year, said his decision to play this season with the club came down to feeling established in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community.

“I feel like I'm home, I get along with all my teammates and I like the work that I do here. So, there were lots of positives,” he said.

"It was kind of a no brainer to stay back where I feel comfortable and play basketball and you know, play with the boys that I’m friends with.”

In the 2022 season, Malek averaged 12.5ppg, 1.6apg and 6.9rpg playing an average of 26 minutes and 48 seconds per game.

On the season ahead, Malek said Giants fans can expect the same style of play from him.
“Someone who likes to hustle, block shots, run up and down the courts,” he said.

“This season, I'm hoping to feel a lot healthier. You know, I just got to work on my fitness at the moment but physically I do feel better - I feel much better than what I was last season.

“One hundred per cent I'm focusing more on keeping my body healthy and just doing the right things off the court as well.

“Just managing my load and doing what I need to do to keep myself healthy for the whole season.”

Head coach Scott Manton said Malek’s re-signing is “invaluable in so many ways”.

"His presence, athletic ability and his great ability of standing up at both ends has been outstanding and I'm looking forward to what he brings to the court,” he said.

“He is invaluable just as much off the court and in the community and I'm pleased he is with us again.”

Malek, who will take on a key leadership role this season as more juniors fill out the squad, said he was never comfortable in leadership before but is looking forward to the opportunity this season.

"I guess I'm just not someone who speaks very much, but I've progressed throughout the year, you know, I've been mentored into it and I'm grateful for that,” he said.

“And also, just getting to deal with guys that I respect and also respect me, makes it a whole lot easier.

“They listen to me and we all listen to each other so I don't really see much stress in regards to backing up Jerome (Reid, captain).

“I think we all get along very well and we all respect each other."

Malek’s goal for this season is to maintain the momentum of last season and for the team to be top contenders in the playoffs.

“I really want to see us as a top six team again – top four even,” he said.

"This season we are definitely pushing to make it to playoffs. I definitely think we have the team; we have the guys - our core group is pretty much the same guys from last season.

“I think we will gel really well with the two new guys and I think we will just continue to pick up from where we left off.

"We're definitely not trying to rebuild from scratch - we're not trying to you know, just give it a go.

We're definitely trying to be in the mix to be contenders, to be in the mix of the pack, so that's the goal for this season.”

Malek is already in pre-season training with the squad twice a week in the lead up to the 2023 season.