Malik Amour: … I had to overcome many obstacles, but I don’t care because I never bow down no matter what.

If ya’ll don’t know him yet, watch out for the kid… Malik has proven his skills on the underground basketball scene, and believe me, he got now! We wanted to know more about this Gwada youth pursuing his dream to play basketball at the highest level in the United States.

GwadaYouth : Wasup Malik, ready for this?

Malik : Yep, let’s get it poppin’!

G.Y. : Give us some background information about you.

M. : My name is Malik Amour; I’m from Baie- Mahault. 97122 REPRESENT!! Amandine City is the name of my hood, and big up to everyone out there. I’m a basketball player. I played a lot in the streets, and playgrounds, and I went to high school in Boston.

G.Y. : For which team do you play and what position, and what can we expect from you on the court?

M. : I left Guadeloupe a long time ago, I’m just 21 years old right now and I’m pursuing my dream to play at the highest level. I play guard, mostly 2-guard, I score, and that’s what I like to do: shooting the basketball. I penetrate a lot too, unlike other shooters I’m not one-dimensional, I handle things in every aspect. I’m playing for FAMU (Florida A. and M. University).

G.Y. : Versatile?

M. : Please believe it!

G.Y. : Aight-aight. What difficulties have you met in pursuing this dream so far? With coaches, your teammates, and the basketball industry?

M. : Well, many coaches refused to believe that I was better than the guards here, and I had to go through a lot because of that. I’m only 6’2 1/2, therefore, I’m not considered as a tall player, which I don’t have a problem with, but I can ball with the best of them. When I was in high school, my coach wanted me to stay with the team but I didn’t want to; I wanted to play for a better team in a better conference. He promised me a lot…So much, just like in the movie “He Got Game”, but I decided to leave and go somewhere else. Up until then, everything was great, but then I had to overcome many obstacles, but I don’t care because I never bow down no matter what. The competition is very good; I’ve met and played against some good players (some of them are already playing in the NBA). So my game became more defined because of that. But what coaches always loved about me is the fact that I’m very athletic.

G.Y. : What NBA players have you played against?

M. : Eddie Griffin, Omar Cook, Andre Barrett, Antonio Lawrence…

G.Y. : Speaking of the NBA, which players inspire (d) your game the most?

M. : The people that inspire me the most are: Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ed Booger Smith, Baron Davis, and my close friends: Raymond Aberllard and Heath Perry; and in Guadeloupe, the people that inspired me the most are: Didier Vespus, my brother, Joel Soudron, Gwenald Gaydu, Olivier Mozard, Pluky (R.I.P.), my cousin Sylvain, my man Jimmy Keler and so many others.

G.Y. : Have you received any help or support from Guadeloupe and the league over there, or even from France, any financial aid besides of your inspiring fellows?

M. : Nah, I didn’t receive any kind of help. My coaches always believed that I could make it, big up to Eric Rima, Jean-Marc, Jocelyne, and Djouboul. But the league itself was bulls**t! – And please print that! –

G.Y. : What do you think about players like Tony Parker? Have you ever thought about playing for the French league?

M. : Oh, Tony Parker is a good player, but I’m not impressed by him. I’ve had the chance to play against guys who were way better than him, but he is a good player, and very quick. As for playing for the French league? Well, when I’ll make it, for me to play for them…I don’t know, I really don’t know because I have my own views on that topic. But maybe, maybe not, if I get the opportunity, I would definitely rep’ Gwada the proper way!

G.Y. : Do you know Michel Morandais, another Guadeloupean baller doing its thing in Colorado (ITW available)?

M. : Nah, I played against Michel Morandais when I was younger, but I don’t know him personally. But he’s doing a great job in Colorado, big up!

G.Y. : What piece of advice would you give a young player in Guadeloupe who wants to make it to the NBA?

M. : Well, just be confident because that’s what got me here.

G.Y. : What kind of kicks do you wear to play ball?

M. : I play with the Questions (Iverson shoes), or my team shoes, Nikes, and all that…

G.Y. : What kind of music do you like?

M. : Definitely the Rocafella click, D-Block, Meth. And Redman, Mr. Cheeks, Ghostface, Tupac of course, Nas.

G.Y. : In which year are you in college so we know when to expect you on the NBA screen?

M. : I’m a sophomore/junior in college, but on the court I’m just a sophomore.

G.Y. : Favorite movie(s)?

M. : “Paid in full”, “Love and Basketball”, “He Got Game”, “Players Club”

G.Y. : Favorite book?

M. : No favorite really.

G.Y. : Anything G.Y. didn’t ask that you’d like to tell the Gwadayouth viewers?

M. : Yeah, I just want to say that it’s a shame to see that there were so many talents in Guadeloupe back then, when basketball was hot, and how they never gave too many the chances to continue at a higher level though there were real talented basketball players out there. They never took it seriously.

Questions : Florélie for Gwadayouth.com (Propos recueillis le 2 Mars 2004)