Malik Story decides to transfer

by Alex Bozich in Media | March 26th, 2009

We heard the rumors toward the end of the season. But Malik Story told reporters after IU’s season ending loss to Penn State that he was planning to stick around for another season in Bloomington. Here’s a refresher of what he told Herald Times reporter Jared Poertner immediately after the season ended:

“I’m going to be here. A lot of people say I’m not going to be here, (but) I love my teammates, love my coaches and love this place.”

Not so fast. The freshman wing from California has decided to transfer. Our friend Chris Korman of the H-T/Hoosier Scoop broke the story and has the confirmation from Tom Crean:

“I support Malik and his family’s decision to go to a school that is closer to home. As a parent, I understand the need to be close to family. We have encouraged Malik to continue to take advantage of getting his individual workouts in with our team and to utilize the academic support system he has here at Indiana until the end of the semester.”

This is probably a smart move for Story. If he truly wants to be closer to home, that’s certainly understandable. Bloomington is a far different world from Los Angeles. And furthermore, he likely would have been buried on the depth chart next season behind guys like Nick Williams, Maurice Creek and Christian Watford. For now, we say so long to you, Malik Story. We hardly knew ye.

Tags: Malik Story

Truth

I'm sure the IU apologist will deny the real fact…

He was ran off by Tom Crean to make room for other recruits
Bryan

That's a shame. I liked Story, but he probably wasn't going to see much playing time from here on out.

With the scholarship numbers issue that was coming up, something had to give, but I am hopeful that as many guys that suffered through this season will stick around to get to appreciate Assembly Hall when times are better.
Kelin Blab

Dude…Malik Ran off before Tijan….come on now……
Purdue is losing by the way…surprise surprise…
Kelin Blab

well folks there is your other scholly…..I really like Malik, actually more than Nick Williams for his ability to score and ball handling….but the kids is a LONG way from home….hope he does well…..Dominque…there is a scholly available….
Bryan

I'm not going to apologize, just ask for proof. Does every kid that transfers from a school get run off by their coach, or do kids sometimes get homesick, want more playing time, etc? Did Matt Painter run off Scott Martin to make room for other recruits?

I'm willing to believe Crean sat down with each player at the end of the season, and talked about next season. Should Crean tell each player “there's a big freshman class coming in that is highly touted, but don't worry, you're my guy and are getting 30 minutes a night?” Is that any more honest?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathaniel-Falk/548843901 Nathaniel Falk

Called this when Muniru commited its sad to see him go but his playing time was going to lack with the class coming in and in the future it was nice knowing you
Hoosier_Hound

Can't say I'm surprised by the news, just disappointed. As frustrating as Story was at times, he had energy to spare, which I really enjoyed. I thought he was on the same curve as Wilmont and could have really been productive in his later years.

Oh well, hopefully he lands on his feet at a good school out west. With a year to sit out after transferring, he could really be a player.
HoosierDavey

Even though his ball-handling skills need a LOT of work, I thought he had the ability to help us for a long time with his shooting and athleticism. Hate to see him go…really would hate to see ANY of the kids on this year's team go. Good luck to you, Malik, and thanks for your contributions.
Truth

I'm sure the IU apologist will deny the real fact…

He was ran off by Tom Crean to make room for other recruits
Truth

I'm sure the IU apologist will deny the real fact…

He was ran off by Tom Crean to make room for other recruits
Bryan

That's a shame. I liked Story, but he probably wasn't going to see much playing time from here on out.

With the scholarship numbers issue that was coming up, something had to give, but I am hopeful that as many guys that suffered through this season will stick around to get to appreciate Assembly Hall when times are better.
Bryan

That's a shame. I liked Story, but he probably wasn't going to see much playing time from here on out.

With the scholarship numbers issue that was coming up, something had to give, but I am hopeful that as many guys that suffered through this season will stick around to get to appreciate Assembly Hall when times are better.
Kelin Blab

Dude…Malik Ran off before Tijan….come on now……
Purdue is losing by the way…surprise surprise…
Kelin Blab

Dude…Malik Ran off before Tijan….come on now……
Purdue is losing by the way…surprise surprise…
Kelin Blab

well folks there is your other scholly…..I really like Malik, actually more than Nick Williams for his ability to score and ball handling….but the kids is a LONG way from home….hope he does well…..Dominque…there is a scholly available….
Kelin Blab

well folks there is your other scholly…..I really like Malik, actually more than Nick Williams for his ability to score and ball handling….but the kids is a LONG way from home….hope he does well…..Dominque…there is a scholly available….
Bryan

I'm not going to apologize, just ask for proof. Does every kid that transfers from a school get run off by their coach, or do kids sometimes get homesick, want more playing time, etc? Did Matt Painter run off Scott Martin to make room for other recruits?

I'm willing to believe Crean sat down with each player at the end of the season, and talked about next season. Should Crean tell each player “there's a big freshman class coming in that is highly touted, but don't worry, you're my guy and are getting 30 minutes a night?” Is that any more honest?
Bryan

I'm not going to apologize, just ask for proof. Does every kid that transfers from a school get run off by their coach, or do kids sometimes get homesick, want more playing time, etc? Did Matt Painter run off Scott Martin to make room for other recruits?

I'm willing to believe Crean sat down with each player at the end of the season, and talked about next season. Should Crean tell each player “there's a big freshman class coming in that is highly touted, but don't worry, you're my guy and are getting 30 minutes a night?” Is that any more honest?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathaniel-Falk/548843901 Nathaniel Falk

Called this when Muniru commited its sad to see him go but his playing time was going to lack with the class coming in and in the future it was nice knowing you
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathaniel-Falk/548843901 Nathaniel Falk

Called this when Muniru commited its sad to see him go but his playing time was going to lack with the class coming in and in the future it was nice knowing you
IUHOOSIERS_32

I didn't expect to see this… I really think we could have used Malik over the course of the next 3 years. He reminded me of a Robert Vaden type player (even more now). With that said, I am more than happy to hand over the ball to our incoming freshmen to get our program back on track.
IUHOOSIERS_32

I didn't expect to see this… I really think we could have used Malik over the course of the next 3 years. He reminded me of a Robert Vaden type player (even more now). With that said, I am more than happy to hand over the ball to our incoming freshmen to get our program back on track.
Hoosier_Hound

Can't say I'm surprised by the news, just disappointed. As frustrating as Story was at times, he had energy to spare, which I really enjoyed. I thought he was on the same curve as Wilmont and could have really been productive in his later years.

Oh well, hopefully he lands on his feet at a good school out west. With a year to sit out after transferring, he could really be a player.
Hoosier_Hound

Can't say I'm surprised by the news, just disappointed. As frustrating as Story was at times, he had energy to spare, which I really enjoyed. I thought he was on the same curve as Wilmont and could have really been productive in his later years.

Oh well, hopefully he lands on his feet at a good school out west. With a year to sit out after transferring, he could really be a player.
JG

Thanks Malik. You gave it your all for this program while you were here and Indiana fans will always remember that.
I hope he lands at a school and in a couple of years we see him playing during the big dance and getting accolades for being one of the first pieces Tom Crean used to build the Indiana program back up.
And if not…well, the kid certainly will make a name for himself in Hoosier basketball trivia question lore.
JG

Thanks Malik. You gave it your all for this program while you were here and Indiana fans will always remember that.
I hope he lands at a school and in a couple of years we see him playing during the big dance and getting accolades for being one of the first pieces Tom Crean used to build the Indiana program back up.
And if not…well, the kid certainly will make a name for himself in Hoosier basketball trivia question lore.
DaTruth

Truth is a Marquette fan
DaTruth

Truth is a Marquette fan
HoosierDavey

Even though his ball-handling skills need a LOT of work, I thought he had the ability to help us for a long time with his shooting and athleticism. Hate to see him go…really would hate to see ANY of the kids on this year's team go. Good luck to you, Malik, and thanks for your contributions.
HoosierDavey

Even though his ball-handling skills need a LOT of work, I thought he had the ability to help us for a long time with his shooting and athleticism. Hate to see him go…really would hate to see ANY of the kids on this year's team go. Good luck to you, Malik, and thanks for your contributions.
Kelin Blab

Does anyone else think there are guys who may be leaving….I really hope not…
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

Kelin –

There's certainly a chance. I'm not going to speculate on who it might be, but the logjam in the back court (Hulls, Rivers, Jones, Dumes, Williams, Creek, Roth) is going to leave someone with a shortfall in the minutes department.
cookcmc

with that being said, if we do lose another player(s), are there any recruits left or do we save up for 2010?
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

They're still recruiting for 2009. Darius Smith is at the top of the list.
Phillip

total rumor mill here but i have heard Dumes' name mentioned a couple
of times – this makes absolute no sense given he has only 1 yr left

secondly, i have also heard Pritch's name thrown around – word is he
doesn't think he fits in Crean's system; hope this is total nonsense
Mikey

Don't we have enough PG's for 2009? Why do we want Smith?
Mikey

Don't we have enough PG's for 2009? Why do we want Smith?
Kelin Blab

A-

Dude I will have a problem with Crean if he brings in another guard……Darius Smith is a 6'2 pg and we have 15 of them….Jordan Hulls is not a cure all but I think we are ok at that position between hulls, rivers, and vj…..we need BIGS…BIGS….BIGS…and more BIGS

On a side note, one Mr. Teague visited his former middle school a few weeks ago and shared he is likely headed to L'Ville….
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

Very talented point guard who can also score and has probably played his way into the four-star category with his senior season. Arizona, Arizona State, UK, Iowa, Marquette and Depaul have all offered and Duke and Memphis are reportedly interested. I think the interest speaks to the fact that the IU staff is recruiting to get the best players they possibly can to fill the roster. If there is a player they feel can help IU, they are going to pursue that player.
Steve

“To get someone of Malik’s ability this late in the year is really exciting for all of us,”…“He is a proven winner who knows how to win championships, and has improved a great deal over the last few years. Malik was off of the recruiting radar for some time because of his early commitment, but nonetheless, he has always proven to be someone that plays at a high level, that wins, and that gets better.” Tom Crean.
Hoosier_Hound

Did you ever watch a Marquette game? I pretty sure Crean likes to have at least four PG's on the court at all times.
Kelin Blab

Does anyone else think there are guys who may be leaving….I really hope not…
Kelin Blab

Does anyone else think there are guys who may be leaving….I really hope not…
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

Kelin –

There's certainly a chance. I'm not going to speculate on who it might be, but the logjam in the back court (Hulls, Rivers, Jones, Dumes, Williams, Creek, Roth) is going to leave someone with a shortfall in the minutes department.
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

Kelin –

There's certainly a chance. I'm not going to speculate on who it might be, but the logjam in the back court (Hulls, Rivers, Jones, Dumes, Williams, Creek, Roth) is going to leave someone with a shortfall in the minutes department.
cookcmc

with that being said, if we do lose another player(s), are there any recruits left or do we save up for 2010?
cookcmc

with that being said, if we do lose another player(s), are there any recruits left or do we save up for 2010?
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

They're still recruiting for 2009. Darius Smith is at the top of the list.
http://www.insidethehall.com Alex

They're still recruiting for 2009. Darius Smith is at the top of the list.
Kelin Blab

Mikey I couldnt agree with your more…….if we get another pt guard, it will make absolutely no sense whatsoever…..

If you look at some of the recent past NCAA champions they had a good balance of long athletic wings, solid pt guard, and big men. This team cannot have a bunch of 6foot 5'11 guys running around thinking we are playing in a 6foot and under league….

Come on Coach, if you sign another pt guard do so in 2010 or 11….

Malik Story decides to transfer

ITH on Twitter

Resources

Recruiting

Comments