Midweek in the “A Week in the Life of Cobb Basketball” series highlights a typical Wednesday for Maliyah Gilbert, a junior point guard at Kell High School. The day follows a strong team win, with Maliyah scoring 8 points, including two 3-pointers, contributing to a decisive 68-14 victory.
Despite playing late into the previous evening, Maliyah begins her day early. She says, “I wake up, start getting ready to head to the gym. I’m not really a morning person, so it was kind of hard to get up after playing a game last night, but I find the energy to get up and get ready.” By 5:20 a.m., she eats breakfast and leaves home for an individual workout at L.A. Fitness before school.
At the gym, Maliyah describes her routine: “I arrive at the gym and start with some stretching. Then I do a light mile. After that, I get some lower and upper body lift work in.” Her basketball-specific drills begin shortly after: “It’s time to go inside the basketball gym where I work on my ball handling, shooting, layups, and, most importantly, defense.”
Following her early session and return home for school preparation, Maliyah heads out again by 7:40 a.m., carrying both academic and athletic gear—a reflection of student-athlete life at Carlton J. Kell High School.
She arrives at school just after 8:00 a.m.: “I arrive at school ready to be a scholar for eight hours!!” The academic schedule includes note-taking in various classes before ending with weight training alongside teammates: “It’s classes and work all day. I got a lot of notes today in all my classes, but at least I get to end it with weight training with my teammates.”
Wednesday also marks National Signing Day (NSD), when student-athletes formalize their college commitments. After weight training ends around 4:30 p.m., Maliyah attends Kell’s NSD ceremony supporting teammate Kennedy Deese who is committed to Howard University next year: “It was my teammate and friend’s signing day. I went to support her and show love by congratulating her for the hard work that has paid off for her.”
Although non-game days typically include team practice sessions under Head Coach Kandra Bailey’s guidance—who awarded them this day off following their win—Maliyah notes personal satisfaction from having completed individual practice earlier.
Back home by evening, she turns attention toward academics before winding down: “It’s time to study for my classes and then hopefully have a little ‘me’ time before going to bed.” Later she adds: “I’m done studying, and it’s time to watch TV and scroll TikTok before I officially go to bed. Then I get ready for another busy day tomorrow.”
Carlton J. Kell High School encourages excellence across academics as well as extracurricular activities like basketball while fostering character development among students through its programs (official website). The institution provides opportunities such as those experienced by student-athletes like Maliyah Gilbert through its commitment to high standards in both education and athletics (official website).
The series will continue tomorrow with insights from one of Cobb Basketball’s varsity assistant coaches.
