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Villanova product Maalik Wayns has put on an impressive showing in the opening days of training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Wayns attended Roman Catholic High School before joining Villanova in 2009. After a strong showing in the Orlando Pro Summer League, the 6'2 guard was able to continue his basketball career in his hometown when the Sixers signed him on July 31 of this year.
While he may be on the outside looking in when it comes to cracking the rotation, Wayns has played a key role in scrimmages by pushing the ball up the floor. It is a calculated effort by head coach Doug Collins to make the starters work harder on defense.
A point guard by nature, Wayns was forced to act as more of a scorer while at Villanova. He has enjoyed the opportunity presented thus far by the Sixers to play the point, via Philly.com:
"Whatever my coach needs me to do I'm going to do. Last year they needed me to score so that's what I did. We weren't that successful doing it, but now I get to get back to my roots and the way I play. Now I can just be comfortable and play my game."