13 Sam Malone

Sam Malone was born on December 6, 1991, in Scituate, Massachusetts to Joe and Linda Malone.  His father, Joe Malone, is a former Republican state treasurer.  Malone has two brothers, Joe Jr. and Charlie, and a sister, Carolyn.  Malone’s father, Joe, met Calipari in 1992 after sending the coach a note of appreciation for the way Calipari gracefully addressed a technical foul he received while coaching Massachusetts against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. Calipari called Joe Malone a few days later, and the two struck up a friendship.  As a walkon, Malone went to three Final Fours, two NCAA title games, and won a national championship with Kentucky.

In high school, Malone was considered one of the best defensive guards in the Boston area.  On January 15, 2010, Malone, as a junior, registered an unconventional double-double in a 68-35 win over Pembroke. In roughly two and a half quarters of play, he had 14 points and 12 steals.  “He’s a very good defensive player,” Scituate coach Matt Poirer said.  “I think for the first time, he’s healthy. I don’t want to curse him, but he’s had injuries throughout his high school years. He’s healthy and in great shape right now, and he’s beginning to just relax. He’s a phenomenal athlete and basketball player. Great instincts, and really is someone who, well, I’m not surprised by [the 12 steals], but it was an exceptional game.”  Malone, who returned to Scituate after attending Tilton Academy where he helped lead Tilton to a 2009 national prep title, has missed time following multiple knee surgeries. He tore his ACL his freshman year and then injured his meniscus as a sophomore at Tilton.  As a senior, he averaged 14.0 points, 9.0 assists and 4.0 steals at Scituate High School.  He was named a 2011 League All-Star.

On December 17, 2011, Malone suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Chattanooga game and missed the remainder of the season after playing in six games prior to the injury. 

Malone saw action in three games in his sophomore season.  He hauled in a career-high two rebounds in a win over Eastern Michigan and grabbed a rebound in three minutes against Mississippi State.  Malone posted two minutes against Eastern Michigan, grabbing two rebounds.  

As a junior, Malone earned All-SEC Academic team honors for the third consecutive year.  He also claimed the 69 Award for the top GPA at the Final Four.

As a senior, Malone was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll for the fourth consecutive season.  He played in a career-high eight games, including his first career start on Senior Day vs. Florida.  He also logged minutes in two NCAA Tournament games, in dominating victories against Hampton and No. 20 West Virginia, his first career action in NCAA Tournament play.  Malone scored his only point of the season against Montana State and grabbed a career-high-tying two rebounds.

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