Malik Dunbar has won the hearts of many throughout the tournament with his unceasing optimism and “Classic Malik” play making abilities.
If you’re looking for the most optimistic Auburn player look no further than Malik Dunbar. The South Carolina native who was a top 10 JUCO transfer came to Auburn in 2017 and has quickly evolved into many fans’ favorite player both on and off the court.
Imagine walking into the Auburn locker room after the team narrowly escaped New Mexico State. The same team that had just won the SEC Tournament just days before almost losing in the first round. The fear of defeat was real and the adrenaline had not subsided. Obviously the team is subdued and still scared to death. You pan the room to determine the mood.
“Man we won that one by a thread,” Malik smiles, “I’m just glad we’re still here. It’s just a blessing to be in the tournament still.”
He’s the team’s rock: the solid, optimistic, and strong leader that holds his teammates together and uplifts them when it’s needed. If that already wasn’t enough, wait for it, he’s also a huge play maker on the court. Social media erupts every time he makes plays and timelines fill with “CLASSSSIC MALIK.”
There’s even a website dedicated just to all things “CLASSSSIC MALIK” https://classicmalik.net/
To showcase “Classic Tournament Malik,” here are some of the greatest Malik tournament antics we’ve seen SO FAR. Lord please give us two more games with this man.
Malik Dunbar is living in the moment and we are living for confetti interviews.
Y’all ... don’t worry about Malik Dunbar... he’s just doing his interview from the confetti filled floor @malik_ihoop #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/gS8h9tFV4J
— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) March 31, 2019
I WANT A POSTER OF MALIK STARING DOWN KELDON JOHNSON.
Malik Dunbar with a MASSIVE block...and he made sure Keldon Johnson knew about it. pic.twitter.com/jl1eqcOuIp
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 31, 2019
And we are officially crying. Look at how pure and sweet.
The last hometown hero to still be dancing, North Augusta’s Malik Dunbar, is wearing the jersey of teammate Chuma Okeke, who went down with a knee injury Friday.
— Augusta Press Sports (@AugPressSports) March 31, 2019
Go Tigers! pic.twitter.com/gqNqUiST2V
The earworm that is sweeping the nation, this song is in fact funny, for real.
The song heard round the Plains. 🎤🎤"We got Jared. Chuma Okeke."@malik_ihoop at it again. This time singing his way to the Elite 8.#WarEagle @wsfa12news pic.twitter.com/pO37v17gBu
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) March 30, 2019
If you love this tune then check out the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wMJdHB2VY
Malik Dunbar and Danjel Purifoy can’t get enough of “We’ve got Jared.” pic.twitter.com/hVKPCLLPJP
— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) March 30, 2019
HE SHOWS LOVE BACK TO HIS FANS.
Classic Malik never backs down.
In Auburn’s Elite 8 win over Kentucky, there was major confusion about substituting Malik Dunbar for Danjel Purifoy and vice versa. Part of the issue was that Malik had actually cut part of his lip open and was bleeding so much that he needed ice and gauze. It looked brutal from television but he went back into the game to help Auburn pull of the win.
He’s got jokes.
"He wants to win so bad, he sweats though his suit." — @AuburnMBB's Malik Dunbar on Bruce Pearl
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) April 5, 2019
(via @John_Fanta) pic.twitter.com/iIy27q6Fgt
Bruce Pearl said on Thursday that Auburn wouldn’t be in the Final Four without Malik and that is the truth. There’s only one Malik Dunbar and I’m glad Auburn’s got him. Nobody loses around a presence like his.
Heck I’m a fan and even I’d go to war for him.