Malatare commits with Northern Idaho
ARLEE HIGH School standout basketball player Phillip Malatare signed a letter of intent with Northern Idaho College. Malatare, one of the Montana’s most decorated basketball players, will reunite with his former teammate Tyler Tanner at NIC. (photo by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
A former Arlee High School boy’s basketball player, Phillip Malatare, has whittled down his collegiate playing options to one when he finally signed to play basketball with Northern Idaho College in Coeur D’alene, Idaho last week for the 2018-2019 season.
Malatare, who generated a lot of interest from several teams including a preferred walk-on scholarship offer from the University of Montana, ultimately committed to NIC.
“There were quite a few schools that were interested in him,” Coach Zanen Pitts said. “I am very excited for him and (NIC) is a perfect fit for him right now.”
Pitts said he felt Malatare will get an opportunity to further develop his skills and confidence his first couple of seasons at the NJCAA level.
“I am really excited for him and I think this is the perfect place for him to go and this (opportunity) allows him to play right away and right from the start he will keep his confidence going and this will put him in a system that has two or three shooting guards that are being recruited by Division-I programs and he’ll get a lot of minutes (his first year).”
Malatare will also join his former Warriors teammate Tyler Tanner. Tanner and Malatare played together on the 2016-2017 team that captured the Montana High School Activities Association Class C State championship with a 71-67 victory over Manhattan Christian.
As a member of the Warriors, Malatare compiled an impressive 99-6 record in games that he played and started over his four-year career with the Warriors competing in Class C competition.
“He has a deep passion for the game and to pick up the game,” Pitts said. “He just has a natural quickness and the ability to take it to the cup. He also is willing to put in the time that made him the (Montana) State MVP.”
Malatare will join RayQuan Evans from Billings High School, who is currently being recruiting by Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
Malatare has an aspiration of being a Game Warden, and Northern Idaho will offer specific classes for Malatare to pursue that degree.
Pitts said he is “excited” about Malatare being able to team up with his former teammate Tyler Tanner.
“They are a band of brothers and their bond is unbreakable,” Malatare said. “They have been together. Tyler might have to red shirt in his first year. Either way, they’ll get to play together for one year and I am just really excited (about their opportunity).”