Imagine a towering figure, once overlooked by the basketball elite, now standing tall as a symbol of perseverance and talent. This is the story of Elijah Malone, a journey that comes full circle this Sunday.
It all began with a whisper in the wind. Scott Moore, a coach with an eye for potential, heard tales of a hidden gem in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country. LaGrange, a town so small it barely registers on the map, was home to a player who might just be worth the drive. But Moore, ever the strategist, didn’t rush. After all, Prairie Heights High School wasn’t exactly a recruiting hotspot—even in a state where basketball is practically a religion.
But here’s where it gets intriguing. Moore’s curiosity got the better of him, and he found himself squeezed into a packed gymnasium, standing against the wall, just feet from the backboard. And then, Elijah Malone walked onto the court. And this is the part most people miss—the moment a coach sees not just a player, but a future.
‘This humongous kid walks out,’ Moore recalls, ‘and you’re immediately struck by his size. But then you see his hands, his feet—the way he moves. I knew right then, he was our guy.’
Fast forward to Sunday, and Malone’s journey takes a poetic turn. Now a 6-foot-10 center for the Colorado Buffaloes, he’ll face his former team, Moore’s Grace College Lancers, in an exhibition game at the CU Events Center. It’s a moment that feels destined, a full-circle story of growth, loyalty, and opportunity.
But here’s where it gets controversial. Malone, a rare Hoosier talent who slipped through the cracks, wasn’t just a big body. He was a two-time All-American, a Crossroads League Player of the Year, and the recipient of the prestigious Bevo Francis Award. Yet, despite his dominance at the NAIA level, Division I programs initially overlooked him. Was it his size? His humility? Or did they simply underestimate the heart of a small-town kid?
Moore, a Grace College alum himself, saw something different. With Malone, the Lancers transformed into a national powerhouse, reaching the Elite Eight in 2023 and the Final Four the following year. Malone’s team-first attitude and relentless work ethic made him a standout—even shedding nearly 300 pounds to become a force on the court. ‘He had a coming-out party at the end of his sophomore season,’ Moore says. ‘And the rest is history.’
Malone’s transition to the Buffs wasn’t without challenges. Facing the bigger, faster big men of the Big 12, he struggled early but found his footing late in the season. His performance against West Virginia and Villanova hinted at his potential, and now, with an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA, he’s ready to make his mark.
‘I know what I’m going into now,’ Malone says. ‘I’m more comfortable with the double-teams, the physicality. Sunday’s game is a full-circle moment for me. To have my former coaches and teammates here, on this floor, it’s going to be amazing.’
But here’s the question that lingers: Did the big programs miss out on Malone, or did he find exactly where he was meant to be? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
