Camden coach Maalik Wayns looks on as Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (15) drives towards the basket while Eastside's Jalen Long (0) defends in the basketball game played at Eastside High School in Camden, New Jersey on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network
CAMDEN - Camden High School boys basketball coach Maalik Wayns grew up in north Philadelphia and became a McDonald's All-American at Roman Catholic High School.
His basketball journey didn't end on North Broad Street.
The Philadelphia native spent three seasons at Villanova and averaged 17.6 points per game as a junior. He collected 1,191 career points and 333 assists. Wayns also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers before a successful professional career in Europe.
Then he turned his attention to coaching.
Wayns served in a student athlete development role at his alma mater under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright. He was approved as the Panthers' latest coach on November 17, 2022. The former McDonald's All-American replaced Rick Brunson, who landed an assistant coaching position with the New York Knicks.
In his second year at the helm on Park Boulevard, Wayns is well aware of the importance of basketball in the city of Camden.
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