Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes may be down a couple of bodies, but Timotej Malovec has made the most of his expanded opportunity.
The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team is starting the season, plus the Jai Lucas chapter within the program's history, on a powerful note. They are currently riding a four-game winning streak, a 9-2 record, and will face the FIU Panthers, a crosstown rival, tonight at home. However, it hasn't been easy lately, as the team is battling injuries. Freshman guard Dante Allen and sophomore forward Marcus Allen have been sidelined over the last four games due to lower-body injuries.
There's been a requirement for others to step up from both the starters and reserves.
On the road against the Ole Miss Rebels, Shelton Henderson exploded for 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 32 minutes. It's the freshman forward's best game of the season thus far.
Afterwards, in the next couple of games, it's been showtime for Timotej Malovec.
The Slovakian native played for the Mega Superbet, an international professional team part of the Adriatic Basketball Association. After two seasons, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three-point range.
Malovec received an offer from the Hurricanes on April 16th and committed the same day. He showed flashes of his capabilities, especially against the Stetson Hatters on Nov. 10th, when he recorded 12 points, making four three-pointers out of six attempts, along with three rebounds in 17 minutes. The Hurricanes won with a final score of 102-61.
It was going to take some time for the 21-year-old to find his rhythm at the United States collegiate level. However, when the team has needed it most, he's beginning to step up.
In the game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Malovec finished with a new season-high of 16 points, including four three-pointers made, two rebounds, two assists, and a block in 30 minutes.
"Shooting is my role on the team," he said after the Hurricanes' victory, with a final score of 88-64. "So, that's what I'm going to do. Try to do [what] is asked of me."
Malovec's hot shooting translated in the most recent game, against the UL Monroe Warhawks, finishing with 12 points, including four three-pointers made, three rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block in 30 minutes. The Hurricanes won with a final score of 104-79.
The international prospect has quickly emerged as the team's best three-point shooter, which is much-needed at a crucial time. Malovec's game is only growing, which only makes Lucas's depth dangerous.
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