WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 –

DOVER, Del. – DeVaughn Mallory led the Polytech Panthers to a 22-2 season last year and a trip to the championship game.

Now as a freshman forward at Delaware State University, Mallory is relearning the game on the next level. Mallory started the last four games for the Hornets.

“It’s amazing,” Mallory said. “College ball is a different level than high school but I still enjoy it. I still feel the same on the court.”

Standing at 6-foot-7, his  main responsibility this year is to be the rebounding threat under the rim. However, if he has an open shot, DSU Head Coach, Keith Walkers trusts him with it.

“He’s making major strides,” Walker said. “He’s understanding and feeling a little more comfortable with the system that we initiate and he is coming along.”

Learning the playbook is a totally new game. Good thing Mallory was an honor roll student who knew how to hit the books at Polytech.

Mallory is the “military child” and grew up traveling before coming to Delaware. His former Polytech coach, John Pierce, believes that discipline has tailored him to work hard.

Simply put, Pierce isn’t worried about Mallory’s ability to learn the playbook.

“I think he is going to have a great career there,” Pierce said. “He came to practice early and stayed late. He was everything for us.”

In addition to learning the plays, the pace of the game is what Mallory is getting used to. There is a shot clock in college as well as much bigger and faster athletes.

His goal is to have a 1,000-point career at DSU like he had in high school. That goal isn’t too far off for Walker.

“I’m staying by midway [this season], he shouldn’t be a freshman anymore,” Walker said. “He’ll be a veteran.”

The soon-to-be veteran wanted to stay local to be close to his family and, of course, the “6th man,” his Polytech fans. Sometimes, fans will show up to his game to show their contiuned support.

“It feels awesome,” Mallory said. “It always brings back memories, makes me always want to play harder on the court. It always keeps me focused.”

So, how good is he?

Let’s take it back to his senior year.

– DeVaughn Mallory averaged 19 points per game and 11 rebounds.
– He shot 54% from the field and took his team all the way to the championship where they lost to Salesianum.
– Mallory is also the 2014/15 Gatorade Delaware Player-of-the-year.

P.S.

Have you ever seen him dunk?