Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Malcolm Clayton of Fort Dodge shoots over Johnston's Boston Grimes during the regular season in the Dodger gym.

It may seem like Malcolm Clayton was simply destined to be a standout high school basketball player.

The Fort Dodge senior has been around the game since birth. His father, Charles, heads the community’s Athletes For Education and Success program. And as a Dodger freshman, Clayton received a rare call-up to the varsity level from head coach Tom Daniel.

On the surface, it looks as though Clayton’s talent and maturity came to fruition naturally this season. Fort Dodge won 14 games, and Clayton earned third team all-state status in Class 4A.

The real story follows a much different narrative behind the scenes. And Clayton is comfortable being the first to tell it.

”All year, every day, I worked on my craft, skills and leadership,” said Clayton, also a unanimous first team all-CIML Iowa Conference honoree. ”That’s something I think these young kids need to hear about: work ethic. I think too many of them say, ‘(I want to be) like him or her,’ and say they’re going to be first team or go to a certain college because someone they know did … but they aren’t being told how much work it really takes.

”I spend countless hours in the gym — even more than most people I know that went off to college for a variety of sports. And these young kids need to know that it’s not all sunshine and good times. It’s a lot of sweat and hard work and hours where you question yourself: ‘why am I doing this?’ or ‘why am I here?’ But it can and will pay off in the end.”

Clayton is the first Dodger all-stater in 11 years and just the 28th in school history. The four-year varsity regular averaged 17.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists this past season.

Fort Dodge pieced together consecutive winning campaigns for the first time in 29 years with the 5-foot-11 guard in the lineup. Clayton finished his career with 1,074 points, which ranks behind only Thomas Clark and Wade Lookingbill on the program’s all-time scoring charts.

”I love being a Dodger,” Clayton said. ”It’s who I am and where my roots will always be. My dad and the coaches here always respected me and pushed me when I needed it, but stayed positive and patient with me and never put me down.

”I have so much respect for this town. I want my kids to someday wear that (FDSH) uniform.”

Clayton became more committed to becoming a complete player as an upperclassman, and the Dodgers reaped the benefits. Fort Dodge has ranked as a Top-10 defensive squad in Class 4A for the last two consecutive years.

”When I was younger, I was just worried about shooting and scoring. I didn’t give (defense) much thought,” Clayton said. ”My dad always got on me about it, and I realized that I wasn’t good at it and needed to (improve).

”I started to take pride in that (aspect of) my game, and then it really became a focus of mine. I wanted to be as well-known for that as I was for anything I did (offensively).”

Clayton plans on committing to Iowa Lakes Community College this weekend. His brother, Solomon, is already a member of the Lakers’ program, and former Dodgers Blake Wilder and Kyle Beisch have recently been all-ICCAC standouts there as well.

”I’m a little nervous (about the next level), but I want to show people that I have what it takes,” Clayton said. ”I’m ready, both physically and with my mindset. It’s the next step toward bigger and better things.”

Clayton, who carries an overall grade point average of nearly 3.3, plans on majoring in sports management and said he might consider getting into coaching.

TIMEOUT WITH MALCOLM CLAYTON

Vacation destination: Los Angeles.

People I would like to have dinner with: Martin Luther King, Russell Westbrook and J. Cole.

It would surprise people that I: am kind-hearted.

My sports role model: Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant.

My everyday role model: my dad.

I can’t go a day without: basketball.

Nickname: Malc.

Most heated rivalry: Mason City.

Favorite road trip: Waukee.

What are you listening to right now? rap.

Favorites…

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder.

Class: advanced leadership with Mrs. Adams.

Movie: Lean On Me.

Book: Luther High Series.

Phone App: music apps.