Chico State Athletics

Malik Duffy is known as a shooter. A knock-down, dead-eye, turn-around-and-wave-to-the-bench-while-the-ball-is-in-the-air kind of shooter. Opposing defenses spend hours game-planning to take away his open looks, because when Duffy shoots, he often scores.
 
However, during what was supposed to be his senior season, in 2020–21, Duffy is spending his time assisting. He's doing so via a part-time job as a FedEx Delivery Driver, and two internships: one in the Athletics Compliance Office and another in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
 
When the announcement came that there would not be a 2020–21 basketball season in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Duffy decided to add a second minor to his undergraduate degree and then apply to graduate school, which will allow him to compete in 2021–22.
 
"It wasn't the original plan but it worked out. I'm glad for the opportunity to keep playing and get my master's degree," Duffy said. "I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to get back on the court."
 
Duffy earned First Team All-CCAA honors as a junior while helping to lead the Wildcats to a 23-7 record and into the NCAA Championship Tournament in 2019–20. The Jesuit High School (Sacramento) product set new single-season career highs while leading the Wildcats in scoring (12.4 points a game), 3-pointers (59), and field goal percentage (53.3 percent). He was a Second Team All-CCAA selection as a sophomore.
 
In the fall, he assisted in the Athletic Department's creation of a recruiting video, meant to present the University and Athletics Department during this time in which perspective student-athletes are not allowed to come on official visits to campus.
 
After that experience, he heard about another opportunity from Compliance Coordinator Shannon Hall, who was hoping to bring someone on board to assist her efforts helping student-athletes with scheduling and more.
 
"Shannon told me in October that there was an internship spot available, and once I heard the details, I jumped at it," Duffy said. "I've gone to Shannon so many times for guidance and I know how much peace of mind it can give you. I'm glad I'll be able to do that for my fellow student-athletes."
 
Along with assisting with scheduling classes, Duffy will also help make sure that student-athletes are making good progress toward their degrees. He spent much of January in training for the position.
 
Duffy's internship with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is just getting started. For now, his plans include a monthly newsletter and helping circulate information about on-campus events.
 
Duffy is also still working a FedEx and delivering packages after being hired in October as a seasonal employer
 
"They've been really great," Duffy said. "They like me and want me to stick around, even if I can only work a couple times a week."
 
Duffy will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and minors in broadcasting and multicultural and gender studies. He's still deciding on what to study in graduate school.
 
He does know that he would like to pursue a professional basketball career.
 
 "The dream scenario for me would be graduating with my master's degree and getting a good deal to play overseas and play for three to five years, or more," Duffy said. "Going to Europe to play would be amazing."
 
After basketball, he would love to return to the states and land a job working with kids, "helping them develop and get on the right path toward success, whether that's through coaching, teaching or some other avenue," he said.
 
But for the time being, Duffy is looking forward to playing his senior season at Chico State and making more memories with his teammates, like the time he tackled the 2.5-pound burger, fries and a shake challenge at Biggie's Burgers in San Diego.
 
"I looked at Calvin (Geraci) after the first bite and said I didn't know if I could do it," Duffy laughed. "But then I did it with three minutes to spare. It was a cool experience to do that with the team."
 
Duffy's plate is once again full. But this time he's planning to take his time, savoring every last moment.

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