If it’s been said once, it’s been said a million times: big men develop slower than others. Many instances exist when a tall kid is simply forced into the sport due to their physical advantages. However, those who love the game and consistently work to improve typically succeed in basketball. The most recent addition to the list of late bloomers who ultimately panned out is Malcolm Wilson of Queens (NC).
Most folks will remember him as a standout at Ridge View, where he was a focal point and key piece to their success. After graduating in 2019 and heading for Georgetown, there was no telling how Wilson’s story would unfold. As a skinny 7-footer, it was widely assumed that he would need time to physically prepare himself for the college game. He only amassed 38 minutes played in his first two seasons with the Hoyas.
After establishing two full years in the program, Wilson received a massive uptick in opportunities as a junior. Although his production didn’t explode off the page, he became a useful piece that could provide quality minutes as a rim-runner with the ability to rebound and block shots. Following a solid junior campaign, Wilson concluded his Georgetown career after only nine more game appearances as a senior.
Rather than hanging it up, he still had more to offer. He transferred to Queens (NC) and quickly carved out an impactful role for the Royals. Wilson gradually found his footing during the 2023-24 season, averaging 1.2 BPG in 10.8 MPG. He came off the bench in every contest and made the most of his opportunities. Fast-forward to now, and Wilson is arguably having his best season ever. He’s posting nightly averages of 5.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.5 BPG in 21.0 MPG. In addition to his career highs in every statistical category, Wilson is also leading the entire country in blocks per game… in only 21 minutes per game. It’s easy to appreciate his ability to stay the course and continue working to watch it pay dividends.