Recruiting Report: Malachi Poindexter (2020)

When it came to the first session of the VISAA Virginia Live Shootout, there were a number of people who stood out, but day one belonged to St. Anne’s Belfield senior guard Malachi Poindexter, a name many have known in Central Virginia for a while now. The former Louisa standout has been one of the most talented local kids in the area for a while now, but due to some unfortunate injuries hasn’t been able to live up to that potential in the past.

However, since the turn of the calendar to 2019, Poindexter has been fantastic as he made the Prep League Tournament team and averaged over 20 points per game in the event that I watched them. A guy who has always been able to make shots, Poindexter was quick to credit his teammates after his stellar day and speaks to how the culture at STAB 

“All of my teammates kept feeding me because I was hot, but it would have been the same way if someone else was hot, we’d give it right back to them because that’s just how we are,” Poindexter said.

After his big time performance at Blue Ridge that weekend, the STAB combo guard picked up his first offer from Manhattan, and says that he’s been hearing from VMI and ODU along with a host of smaller D2 and D3 schools as well. Since his transfer to STAB, he’s had the opportunity to work with renowned trainer Damin Altizer, who became the Head Coach last season. He says the intensity that Altizer brings to every workout, practice and game has helped change him as a player.

“It’s all about hard work and dedication here,” Poindexter said about playing for Altizer. “He makes sure that you give 110% every time on the floor. There’s no days off here, there’s not even seconds off.”

While many would talk about recruitment and things like that as their goals for the summer, Poindexter mentioned another thing that Altizer preaches a lot, which is to focus on getting better, because the rest will take care of itself.

“I’m just always trying to get better and be better for my team so I can help us reach our goals moving forward. I haven’t really been playing much point guard in the past and I am now, so I’m really working on my handles to tighten them up and my decision making.”

After a surprising run in the Prep League and the state tournament as well last season, STAB is stacked with returners this year and a nice blend of experience and young talent that will make them tough to beat this season. Poindexter is going to be an x-factor for them, and with continued improvement and stellar play he should see his recruitment pick up moving forward as well.