Monk's choice is Wildcats

Malik Monk of Bentonville splits the defense Jan. 30 of Josh Breathitt (left) and CJ O'Grady of Fayetteville on his way to the basket for two at Tiger Arena in Bentonville.
Malik Monk of Bentonville splits the defense Jan. 30 of Josh Breathitt (left) and CJ O'Grady of Fayetteville on his way to the basket for two at Tiger Arena in Bentonville.

BENTONVILLE -- Malik Monk has made his college choice.

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Malik Monk

Bentonville's standout senior guard announced Wednesday morning that he would sign a national letter of intent to play basketball with Kentucky and Coach John Calipari, then followed through on that during a private signing ceremony in Tiger Arena.

"I feel at peace," Monk answered through a text message Wednesday afternoon. "It's an opportunity to play with my friends.

"Kentucky is a great fit for me and what I want out of my future. Coach Cal knows how to get the best out of great players. He has proven that in his years of coaching. I trust that he will continue to grow my game."

Monk's decision ended months of speculation of where the ultra-talented guard would attend college. He had narrowed the field down to Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas and Oregon and made official visits with each campus before finalizing his decision on the final day of the early signing period.

He originally said he would wait until the next signing period, which doesn't take place until April. Monk, however, had a recent change of heart and let his intentions be known -- first to his family and Bentonville coaches, then to the public in a statement Wednesday through Twitter.

"I'm really excited for Malik," Bentonville Coach Jason McMahan said. "What people don't realize is he's a super-hard worker and a kid that has put a lot of time in basketball. He's blessed with a lot of talent, but he's put in a lot of time, too.

"This whole process can take up a lot of time, and it's a stressful thing. He's such a super-human basketball player that people look at him in that way only. I know him as a kid that I love, and I'm proud for him."

Monk, a 6-foot-4 guard, moved to Bentonville prior to his sophomore year from East Poinsett County, where he had led the Warriors to the Class 2A state finals and scored 25 points in the championship game against Cedar Ridge as a freshman. He became an immediate impact when he averaged 22.7 points per game and helped Bentonville win a share of the 7A/6A-West Conference title. He earned national attention when he hit game-winning shots in back-to-back games against Springdale High and Fayetteville.

He averaged 26.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season as he led Bentonville to an outright 7A-West title and to the Class 7A state championship game where the Tigers lost to North Little Rock. He broke the school's single-game scoring record with a 47-point performance against St. Louis Chaminade Prep in last year's season opener in Tiger Arena, then broke it again in January when he scored 50 points against Chino Hills, Calif., in the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo.

Monk has 2,074 career points as he enters his senior season, which begins with a Nov. 27 home game against Mustang, Okla.

Sports on 11/19/2015

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