Malachi Aballa 6’2 180 2021 Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond VA
Malachi mixes in some physicality and good quickness as a scorer and has solid mechanics and smoothness in his game. Very athletic and powerful he has a strong frame and explosive leaping ability. Malachi was one of the few players I wasn’t already familiar with at the ASSIST 804 Top 48 Camp but a pair of rim thumping jams to put the exclamation point on some physical and quick drives to the rim mixed in with some silky smooth pull-ups he caught my attention real quick. More of a downhill guard he uses basic ball-handling moves and takes advantage of his combination of quickness and strength to beat defenders. He attacks the rim hard and with purpose and really explodes to the rim once he gets daylight where he can punish defenders absorbing contact and finishing, using some creativity and nice touch off the glass or just rise up and dunk on a defender. He’s athletically gifted but also has good skills as he can also drive hard, stop on a dime and elevate quickly into a pull-up jumper.
He has fluid, repeatable mechanics and excellent elevation hitting shots off the dribble at a good rate. Malachi can hit shots at all levels and is a threat from deep but is at his most dangerous attacking off the dribble where he employs his impressive array of athletic moves and physical tools to get high percentage looks and has the skills and great touch to finish. He has a cat-quick first step and very good speed and when he incorporates his powerful frame he is very difficult to contain in one on ones. He is a capable passer and will hit the open man but make no mistake, Malachi is a fantastic scorer and very good shooter who can put points on the board in a hurry! Defensively his physical tools and energy make him a solid contributor. He locks in and combines quickness and strength to stifle dribble penetration. He is also an active rebounder on both ends of the floor and can make plays all over the floor defensively. Malachi is an impact player and should see some college interest come his way this season. He’s certainly a next-level talent with the physical tools to make an immediate impact. College coaches should add Malachi Aballa to their watch list!