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Get to Know Men's Basketball's Malick Kordel
7/6/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Malick Kordel is in his second year of collegiate basketball and sixth year of playing the sport overall. The Oberhausen, Germany native began his collegiate career at Michigan. As a Wolverine, Kordel saw action in 14 games off the bench for the national championship team and averaged 1.2 points. Kordel grew up playing handball, but made the switch to basketball in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 7-foot, 2-inch athlete played with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in ProB in 2024-25 prior to his collegiate career. Read more about the German center in this question/answer session.
Why Minnesota?
Last year at Michigan, it was a very deep team and I didn't have the opportunity to play and get experience. This year, I think I found a good system, a good coach, and good supporting staff where I can compete on the highest level.
You started playing handball and then made the switch to basketball. For those that don't know, tell us more about that and how you were able to get up to speed on the sport so quickly.
I started playing basketball in COVID. Like everyone, we had the lockdown in Germany. In 2021, I just started playing outside in the open court and had a lot of fun with that. When the lockdown was done, I started playing with a pretty big club in Germany and with the highest Under-19 league that you could play, so I stopped playing handball. What helped me get on pace with the higher level was to just play and just compete. Even though they had more experience than me, I learned to not to be afraid and just compete against them every day.
What was the biggest adjustment you made from the two sports?
Obviously I was given the athletic gift and body for a center in basketball so it was easier than someone 6-foot-3 to play guard. It was still a big adjustment for me. It's a different kind of physicality than handball. You use your hands more, you use your arms more. In basketball you have to be smarter and more disciplined with your physicality. That seemed to be the biggest difference for me.
You were at Michigan last year. What did you take away from that experience and how have you been able to bring that to Minnesota?
For me, it was the best freshman experience I could have had. Even though I didn't play a lot, I played against some of the best guys at my position in college basketball. Three lottery picks on one team that I had to play against every day. It helped me a lot, even just to get to know college basketball and the level of play. In practices, I could tell that I could compete with them and play on their level. I know what it takes to be on a winning team and can bring a lot of those aspects to Minnesota.
You and Winters Grady both are coming from Michigan to Minnesota. Has that transition made it easier to know someone already on the team? How have you been able to get to know other teammates?
Winters and I live together right now during the summer. We've been able to spend a lot of time together, both here and Michigan so our chemistry is pretty good. We've been able to spend a lot of time really with the other guys too and getting to know each other better and better every day. The chemistry is getting better each practice for sure.
Time to get to know you a little more. What are some things outside of basketball that you enjoy doing?
I like cars, building legos, but there's not one specific hobby. Just basketball.
You're from Germany, tell us a little more about your hometown and have you been able to get back there?
My hometown is about 200,000 people and a bit of an older population. There aren't as many younger people around, but I have a lot of friends around the area within some of the other big cities. I had a chance to go back to Germany last year in August and I went to Germany for 2-3 weeks before we reported to camp here. I'll plan to go back when we're done with camp again in August.
What are you most excited about this upcoming season?
Just to compete. Have a good spirit. Learning how to play together. We may not be the most talented, but our team chemistry and our mentality can win games. That's what I'm most excited about.
Favorite Food: Pasta. Maybe pasta with salmon or bolognese. I also like carbonara.
Favorite NBA Players: I'm a fan of LeBron. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) was someone I watched a lot when I started playing basketball. I also like Wemby a lot too.
Best City Visited: In the United States, I liked Chicago a lot. Rome is cool. There's a lot of history and you can walk around in a small area and see a lot. I also like the people there.
If I wasn't playing basketball I'd be: I'd be back in Germany and studying something there and being a normal student that doesn't really know what he wants to do. I would still be trying to figure that out so I'm grateful that I can play basketball.
Why Minnesota?
Last year at Michigan, it was a very deep team and I didn't have the opportunity to play and get experience. This year, I think I found a good system, a good coach, and good supporting staff where I can compete on the highest level.
You started playing handball and then made the switch to basketball. For those that don't know, tell us more about that and how you were able to get up to speed on the sport so quickly.
I started playing basketball in COVID. Like everyone, we had the lockdown in Germany. In 2021, I just started playing outside in the open court and had a lot of fun with that. When the lockdown was done, I started playing with a pretty big club in Germany and with the highest Under-19 league that you could play, so I stopped playing handball. What helped me get on pace with the higher level was to just play and just compete. Even though they had more experience than me, I learned to not to be afraid and just compete against them every day.
What was the biggest adjustment you made from the two sports?
Obviously I was given the athletic gift and body for a center in basketball so it was easier than someone 6-foot-3 to play guard. It was still a big adjustment for me. It's a different kind of physicality than handball. You use your hands more, you use your arms more. In basketball you have to be smarter and more disciplined with your physicality. That seemed to be the biggest difference for me.
You were at Michigan last year. What did you take away from that experience and how have you been able to bring that to Minnesota?
For me, it was the best freshman experience I could have had. Even though I didn't play a lot, I played against some of the best guys at my position in college basketball. Three lottery picks on one team that I had to play against every day. It helped me a lot, even just to get to know college basketball and the level of play. In practices, I could tell that I could compete with them and play on their level. I know what it takes to be on a winning team and can bring a lot of those aspects to Minnesota.
You and Winters Grady both are coming from Michigan to Minnesota. Has that transition made it easier to know someone already on the team? How have you been able to get to know other teammates?
Winters and I live together right now during the summer. We've been able to spend a lot of time together, both here and Michigan so our chemistry is pretty good. We've been able to spend a lot of time really with the other guys too and getting to know each other better and better every day. The chemistry is getting better each practice for sure.
Time to get to know you a little more. What are some things outside of basketball that you enjoy doing?
I like cars, building legos, but there's not one specific hobby. Just basketball.
You're from Germany, tell us a little more about your hometown and have you been able to get back there?
My hometown is about 200,000 people and a bit of an older population. There aren't as many younger people around, but I have a lot of friends around the area within some of the other big cities. I had a chance to go back to Germany last year in August and I went to Germany for 2-3 weeks before we reported to camp here. I'll plan to go back when we're done with camp again in August.
What are you most excited about this upcoming season?
Just to compete. Have a good spirit. Learning how to play together. We may not be the most talented, but our team chemistry and our mentality can win games. That's what I'm most excited about.
Favorite Food: Pasta. Maybe pasta with salmon or bolognese. I also like carbonara.
Favorite NBA Players: I'm a fan of LeBron. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) was someone I watched a lot when I started playing basketball. I also like Wemby a lot too.
Best City Visited: In the United States, I liked Chicago a lot. Rome is cool. There's a lot of history and you can walk around in a small area and see a lot. I also like the people there.
If I wasn't playing basketball I'd be: I'd be back in Germany and studying something there and being a normal student that doesn't really know what he wants to do. I would still be trying to figure that out so I'm grateful that I can play basketball.
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