'He wants to win at everything': How Malik Nabers has won over NY Giants teammates so fast

EAST RUTHERFORD - Malik Nabers put one of coaching legend John Wooden's core beliefs to the test late in Thursday's training camp practice, just the second of his NFL career.

"The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching."

And for Nabers, while his fiery on-field personality has gained a lot of attention thanks to the Giants' deep dive in their Combine interview, which was revealed on "Hard Knocks," no one has taken issue with how hard he works to be great.

Remember at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis back in March when fellow Top 10 wide receiver Rome Odunze went viral - and rightfully so - for refusing to stop running the three cone drill until he got a time he was satisfied with.

Well, Nabers had a moment like that on a day when he put together a highlight-filled session that left all those assembled at 1925 Giants Drive wowed by his exploits. On the final play of one drill, though, Nabers wasn’t able to hold onto a pass from Daniel Jones in the end zone.

Nabers ran a great route on a quick slant, the throw came out on an angle and low, but he just couldn’t come up with the football, sliding to no avail. No big deal. Move on to the next play.

But Nabers pounded the grass in frustration, unable to make what he considers a routine grab.

What happened next should not only define his performance from the morning session, but who he is as a Giant.

As the Giants worked on an adjacent field during a special teams period, Nabers and quarterback Tommy DeVito went off to the side and practiced similar throws to the one Nabers felt he should have secured in the previous drill.

DeVito fired throw after throw to Nabers, who was lying on the ground and attempting to make catches from different angles. He caught every one, and they only stopped because the whistle had blown for the next series of drills.

"Everything you want in a receiver, he's got, and I appreciate the dawg he brings to practice," veteran defensive back Nick McCloud said of Nabers. "He just comes to work every day with that mindset of, 'I'm going to win,' and you've got to respect. Some guys, they boast about it and brag about it, but they don't really come every day trying to win, and I appreciate that about Malik - he wants to win at everything he does."

Case in point: watching the battles between Nabers, this year's first round pick, and cornerback Tae Banks, the Giants' first rounder last year. Each had his moment Thursday, although Nabers delivered the play that provided the biggest splash: a leaping grab in the back left corner of the end zone over Banks.

Immediately afterward, the teammates were jawing at one another, their competitive spirit bubbling to the forefront.

"I like competing against Leek, it’s really fun," Banks said. "He’s good. He’s really explosive. Real quick. I like him. I love it. We are just competing."

His compact and muscular frame (6-foot, 200 pounds) is reminiscent of another former LSU Top 10 pick in Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase. The ease with which Nabers makes everything look smooth in a Giants' uniform brings about flashbacks of Odell Beckham Jr. He brings a flair to the game that is undeniable, and at this point it's hard to see a situation where he is not a centerpiece of this offense from the outset.

Nabers caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as one of the most electric playmakers in the country. He immediately becomes the one player on the Giants' offense that puts defenses on their heels, including their own.

Even more impressive is how Nabers has earned the respect of the veterans in the locker room. His skill set is obvious, of course, but it's hard to do that if you come into the league and talk the talk without walking the walk.

"Very versatile player, being able to high point the ball, explosive, good catch radius, just a playmaker," said Allen Robinson, in his 11th year and fighting for a spot in a remarkably young wide receiver room with Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton at the top of the depth chart. "When you see guys like him and of his stature, he's just able to go out there and find a way to make plays."

As it turns out, the Giants are learning even more about Nabers with how he reacts to those he doesn't.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 'He wants to win at everything': How Malik Nabers has won over NY Giants teammates so fast