Malik Hairston’s role is to be a leader.
He and coach Ernie Kent agree with that sentiment, and following Saturday’s embarrassing home loss to Georgetown, Oregon severely needs to step up his leadership.
“His role is our captain; he’s our leader,” Kent said. “He needs to score the ball, and I’ve thought he has been doing a great job of it so far.”
Hairston scored eight straight points late in the first half for Oregon, a team that had managed only 13 points through the first 15 minutes of the game. Early in the second half Georgetown built a 12-point lead and Hairston answered with a three-pointer on the next possession to cut the deficit back to single digits. Four minutes later Hairston did the same, tipping in a missed free throw. Ironically, he was successful and led the team in everything excluding free throws.
Hairston led the Ducks with 17 points and five rebounds, the second consecutive game to hold that honor in both categories. In fact, he has scored in double figures in all six games this season and leads the Ducks in scoring with 15.8 points per game.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore has seemed to be breaking out solid performances each game highlighted by a career high 25 points during last Wednesday’s loss at Vanderbilt.
“I just feel that I am a leader,” Hairston said. “That I just need to get done whatever this basketball team needs me to and if they need me to step up and do more I am here to do it. If they need me to sacrifice more, I am here to do it. In times like this I know I need to step up more.”
However, the biggest concern for Hairston is that the Ducks have lost two straight games and that the free throws aren’t falling.
The Ducks made only seven of 17 free-throw attempts Saturday, including one of seven in the second half. Hairston made two of seven attempts on the afternoon and has struggled this season, connecting on only 13 of 23 free throws.
“We missed a lot of free throws, I take responsibility for that,” Hairston said.
However, the free throws will come with practice and Hairston has made most of his shots from all of the other areas of the floor.
While the season isn’t even one-quarter complete, comparisons to last season are imminent. In order to reverse the comparisons and end the losing streak, Hairston has to continue to progress as a leader on the court and in the locker room.
Hairston thought about heading to the NBA after high school and initially had thoughts of leading Oregon to a national championship last season. While the words haven’t been as strong this season, the leadership has started to form. If success is to follow, Hairston’s teammates should do the same.

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