Malon Al-Jiboori Explained

Malon Al-Jiboori
Birth Date:1 August 1997
Birth Place:Tulsa, Oklahoma
Weight:230lb
School:Union High School
University:Lindenwood University
Ru Position:Flanker
Ru Proclubs:San Diego Legion
Glendale Raptors
San Diego Legion
Ealing Trailfinders
Houston Sabercats
Ru Clubcaps:1
14
1
0
23
Ru Clubpoints:(0)
(10)
(0)
(0)
(5)
Ru Clubyears:2018
2019
2020–2021
2021
2022–
Ru Clubupdate:1 May 2021
Ru Nationalteam:United States U20
United States U23
USA Selects
United States
Ru Nationalyears:2016
2016
2016
2018–
Ru Nationalcaps:4
 
3
6
Ru Nationalpoints:(17)
 
(5)
(5)
Ru Ntupdate:5 April 2020
Repsevensyears1:2016–2020
Repsevensteam1:United States
Repsevenscomp1:9
Ru Sevensupdate:1 May 2021

Malon Maurice Al-Jiboori (born August 1, 1997) is an American rugby union player who plays for the United States men's national rugby sevens team and the United States men's national team (XVs). He currently plays for Ealing Trailfinders and the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Al-Jiboori previously represented the United States at the international level with multiple age-grade sides.

Early life

Al-Jiboori was born on August 1, 1997.[1] Al-Jiboori grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma,[2] and attended Union High School. Al-Jiboori played American football throughout his youth, earned a college football scholarship, and aspired to play in the NFL. However, Al-Jiboori began playing rugby at the age of 16, after watching an older brother play the game. Ultimately, he would decline his football scholarship offer and leave Tulsa to attend Lindenwood University and play for the school's rugby teams. He was named Division 1-A Player of the Week on January 26, 2016 for his performances against Saint Mary's and Santa Clara.[3] During the summer of 2016, Al-Jiboori spent time training with Super Rugby's Brumbies.

International career

USA Junior All-Americans

Al-Jiboori represented the United States playing for the United States men's national under-20 team (Junior All-Americans) in the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy.[4] During his tenure with the Junior All-Americans, Al-Jiboori served as the team's captain.

USA Collegiate All-Americans

Al-Jiboori played for the United States men's national under-23 team (Collegiate All-Americans) during their tour of Queensland in 2016.[5]

USA Selects

In 2016, it was announced that Al-Jiboori had been selected for the USA Selects roster for the 2016 Americas Pacific Challenge.[6] Al-Jiboori made his first start for the Selects on October 12, 2016, playing at flanker, in the Selects' 47–37 victory over Canada.[7]

USA Eagles

Al-Jiboori made his debut with the USA Eagles on February 17, 2018, appearing as a substitute in the Eagles' 45–13 victory over Chile in the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship.[8] [9]

USA Eagles 7s

Al-Jiboori made his debut for the United States men's national rugby sevens team at the 2016 Singapore Sevens tournament., Al-Jiboori has competed in 31 total matches for the Eagles in 7s, having scored his first two tries for the Eagles during the 2017–18 World Rugby Sevens Series.[10]

Club career

In addition to his international appearances representing the United States, Al-Jiboori has played club rugby for the Denver Barbarians and Bulldog Rugby.[11]

After playing one match for the Major League Rugby (MLR) club San Diego Legion during the 2018 MLR season, Al-Jiboori signed a two-year deal with the Glendale Raptors ahead of the 2019 season.[12] In April 2021 he signed with the Ealing Trailfinders.[13] In February of 2022, he signed with the Houston Sabercats of the MLR. [14]

Personal life

Malon Al-Jiboori has a younger brother, Tyren Al-Jiboori, who also plays rugby and competed for the United States at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.[15] Their older brother, Michael Al-Jiboori, has also played rugby for the Denver Barbarians.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Malon Al-Jiboori . . September 26, 2018.
  2. News: Dutton . Chris . American gridiron recruits land at Brumbies HQ for taste of Super Rugby life . . July 7, 2016 . September 26, 2018.
  3. News: D1A PLAYER OF THE WEEK: MALON AL-JIBOORI. Alex. Solomon. Division 1-A Rugby. January 26, 2016. July 4, 2019.
  4. Web site: AIG MJAA squad announced for U20 Trophy . Wise . Chad . April 8, 2016 . . September 26, 2018.
  5. Web site: Squad selected for AIG MCAA Tour to Queensland sponsored by WellDog . Wise . Chad . July 15, 2016 . . September 26, 2018.
  6. Web site: USA Selects named for Pacific Challenge . October 1, 2016 . Americas Rugby News . September 26, 2018.
  7. Web site: Canada crumble against USA Selects . October 13, 2016 . Americas Rugby News . September 26, 2018.
  8. Web site: Eagles overcome slow start to smash Chile . February 17, 2018 . Americas Rugby News . September 26, 2018.
  9. Web site: Americas Rugby Championship - Fullerton, 17 February 2018, 15:00 local, 23:00 GMT . espn.co.uk . . September 26, 2018.
  10. Web site: Malon Aljiboori . . September 26, 2018.
  11. Web site: Bulldog 7s Stacked with National Championship Talent . Willis . Austin . FloRugby . FloSports . September 26, 2018.
  12. News: Malon Al-Jiboori signs for Glendale Raptors. americasrugbynews.com. November 30, 2018. July 4, 2019.
  13. Web site: Malon Al-Jiboori signs for Ealing Trailfinders . americas rugby news . April 30, 2021 . 1 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Houston Sabercats signs Malon Al-Jiboori. DJ Coil Rugby . February 8, 2022 . 7 September 2022.
  15. Web site: Tyren Al-Jiboori . https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030254/https://www.teamusa.org/usa-rugby/athletes/Tyren-Al-Jiboori . dead . November 30, 2018 . teamUSA.org . . September 26, 2018.
  16. Web site: Prep for Youth Olympics Well Underway . Clifton . Pat . August 22, 2018 . Rugby Today . September 26, 2018.