CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Malak Bontzolakes, a 13-year-old from Cheektowaga, competed for PhD Hoops in the United World Games in Austria.
Malak was selected to play for Team USA and the team he was part of beat teams from Austria, Germany, Netherlands, and two other USA teams to win the U14 division, bringing home gold.
Playing as a team with boys he had just met, Malak tells 7 News Reporter Jaurdyn Johnson, it surprised him how well they all meshed together.
"We were able to beat teams that have been together for a long time, and we had only practice with each other for only six hours," said Malak.
Malak's mom Jacqueline says the moment they won the tournament brought tears to her eyes.
"Every time that I pushed him, it was worth it. Seeing him shine was their first experience internationally, and coming back with a gold medal? That's powerful," said Jacqueline.
Jacqueline says she hopes her son continues to have fun while bringing a competitive edge to life.
"I just want him to play and have fun playing nationally and internationally,"
Malak wants to make his mom proud.
"My mom pushes me every day, and she's hard on me, but it's always a reminder to keep going forward," said Malak.
Malak will be playing in Canada this weekend in an 18-year-old division for a basketball tournament.
Watch Malak play below:
