What Is Malik Monk’s Ethnicity? Examining Kings Guard’s Family Roots and More

The hooper, Malik Ahmad Monk was born on February 4, 1998, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. making him American by nationality. But, specific details about his ethnicity are not publicly available. His roots trace back to his family in Jonesboro and later Bentonville, Arkansas. Let’s take a deeper dive into the people who shaped his journey. Monk’s father, Michael Scales, a local carpenter who worked hard to support his family and coached his sons in youth basketball leagues. Scales played a crucial role in Monk’s early basketball journey. Even though they lived separate lives, Scales’ involvement in Malik’s growth was instrumental.

Monk’s mother, Jacaynlene “Jackie” Monk, worked as a teacher’s aide. She earned just $14,649 annually, facing economic challenges while raising Malik and his brother, Marcus. The family lived in Lepanto, Arkansas, where opportunities were scarce. Marcus, being older and protective, pushed for a change. He recognized the better prospects for his brother in Bentonville, a thriving city in Northwest Arkansas.

They made the move before Malik’s sophomore year. The shift to Bentonville was about escaping poverty and securing Malik’s future. Marcus believed the academic and athletic environment in Bentonville would offer more for Malik. “The schools up here are second to none,” Marcus stated, emphasizing the importance of education alongside basketball. Their new life in Bentonville saw his blossom, both in academics and basketball.

If Malik excelled in Hoops, then his older brother Marcus excelled in two sports. Born on April 26, 1986, Marcus was a standout athlete at East Poinsett County High School. He was once named Mr. Basketball of Arkansas in 2004. But Marcus wasn’t just a basketball player—he was also an exceptional football player. In fact, he earned All-State honors in both sports!

He went on to attend the University of Arkansas, where he continued to showcase his dual-sport abilities. In Soccer, he was a dynamic wide receiver. He flourished in his career, Marcus also played basketball at Arkansas, appearing in 10 games. However, his basketball dreams were cut short due to NCAA eligibility issues. After college, Marcus fulfilled his NFL dreams. As he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He later had brief stints with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, his NFL career didn’t develop as hoped. Well, here comes a twist.

In pursuit of his dreams, Marcus transitioned to professional basketball and played in Germany’s ProB league for Hertener Löwen. During his time there, he had an impressive season, averaging over 22 points per game. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Player of the Year, and he was named to Eurobasket.com’s All-Pro B First-team. However, when his sports career came to an end, Marcus shifted his focus to his education. In 2014, he earned an MBA from the University of Arkansas.

However, did you know there are other athletes in the Monk family too? His uncle Chuck Monk carved their own paths. Chuck was a running back at Arkansas State. Chuck Monk, their uncle, was a running back at Arkansas State. Even though he didn’t play much, his contributions played a key role in shaping the family’s athletic legacy.

Their cousin, Rashad Madden, also pursued basketball at the University of Arkansas. Though Madden wasn’t drafted into the NBA, he found a home in Europe. He played for teams in Poland, Greece, and Israel. Their family’s dedication to sports shows a legacy of resilience and hard work across generations. And with that, let’s look into his college career.

Which college did Malik Monk attend?

Through a tweet in 2015, Malik Monk announced that he will be attending the University of Kentucky. At Kentucky, Monk quickly made an impact. Well, in his freshman year, he started setting school records. With scoring 47 points against North Carolina. Just weeks later, he scored 34 points in a victory over Ole Miss.

Monk’s scoring ability became evident throughout the season. He posted 37 points against Georgia and 33 against Florida. After such remarkable performances, he was awarded some of the most prestigious honors, including SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. The hoopster was also named to the First-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman teams. After just one season, he was ready for the next big step.

For the 2017 NBA Draft, he declared forgoing his final three years of college eligibility. His decision came shortly after his teammate, De’Aaron Fox, also announced he would enter the draft.

Monk’s time at Kentucky cemented his status as a highly regarded prospect. His college journey was short but impactful. In 2017, he was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, beginning his professional NBA career.