Malaya Cowles

Height:
6-3
Class:
Freshman
High School:
Winston-Salem Christian
Hometown:
Wilkesboro, N.C.

Career
Goes into the 2025-26 season with a 55.0 career shooting percentage and will rank third in program history in field goal percentage with 13 more attempts from the field.

2024-25 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 28, making 16 starts while averaging 24.3 minutes per game … Led the Demon Deacons with a career-best 55.8 shooting percentage which ranks 11th in program history for a single season … Averaged a career-best 8.8 points per game while also having career-highs in rebounding and steals … Tallied 14 double-figure scoring games throughout the season … Notched three double-doubles including a season-high 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds against Campbell (12/4) … Posted 15 points and 10 rebounds at Notre Dame (1/9).

2023-24 (Redshirt Sophomore)
One of only two Demon Deacons to start in all 32 games … Averaged a career-best 8.2 points per game, while shooting a team-high 54.6 percent from the floor … Finished third on the team, averaging 4.3 rebounds per contest … Recorded 24 steals and 19 blocks on the year … Opened the season with a 19 point, seven rebound performance against Wofford (11/6) … Tallied 22 points against Villanova (11/26).

2022-23 (Sophomore)
Did not play due to injury.

2021-22 (Freshman)
Played in 25 games for the Demon Deacons, making three starts while averaging 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while also shooting a team-high 54.1 percent from the field…Set a program record, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the field in a non-conference victory over East Tennessee State while also recording her first career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, both of which were career-high marks for Cowles…Provided a key eight points and eight rebounds in the second round of the ACC Tournament against No. 25 Georgia Tech in 27 minutes played…Blocked a career-best three shots in the opening round victory against Virginia in the ACC Tournament.

2020-21 (Freshman)
Made her collegiate debut against Oklahoma State (3/21) in the NCAA Tournament, playing one minute.

High School
Graduated high school early, joining Wake Forest in January of 2021...Earned a 90 overall rating and three-star status from ESPNW...Rated the No. 10 post player nationally by ESPNW...Nominee for the 2021 McDonald's All-American Game...Helped lead Winston-Salem Christian to a 32-5 record including a 12-0 mark at home as a junior...Wilkes Journal-Patriot all-county Player of the Year as a sophomore at Wilkes Central, averaging 19.5 points, 18.5 rebounds and four blocked shots...Two-time All-Conference in the Mountain Valley as a freshman and sophomore at Wilkes Central.

Personal
Born on Oct. 25...Daughter of Grant Cowles and Gloria Davenport...Has two siblings Dayshia and Grant...Undeclared major planning on pursuing health and exercise science

Why Wake Forest
Wake Forest is close to my home town and everyone is very accepting and caring

Three Things Outside of Basketball
Shop, hike, and watch me

Favorite Food
Pasta

Sport Outside of Basketball
Volleyball

Fun Fact
I’m a picky eater

Plans After Graduation
Continue to play basketball or travel and find a good job

Dream Job
Fashion designer