Malik Beasley
- Attended Saint Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia
Malik Beasley has carved out a reputation as a dynamic and explosive shooting guard in professional basketball, known for his scoring prowess and sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Born Malik JonMikal Beasley on November 26, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in a family with a strong athletic background, as his father, Michael Beasley, and mother, Deena Beasley, supported his early passion for the game. Beasley attended Saint Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he emerged as a four-star recruit, drawing attention from top college programs with his combination of size, athleticism, and a natural scoring touch. He committed to Florida State University, where he played college basketball for the Seminoles and quickly made an impact. During his standout freshman season, Beasley led the team in scoring with an average of 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, earning freshman-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and helping the Seminoles achieve a 20-14 record and a berth in the NIT Tournament. His impressive performance convinced him to declare for the NBA draft after just one season, setting the stage for his professional career.
Beasley entered the 2016 NBA draft and was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 19th overall pick, marking the beginning of his journey in the league. In his first two seasons with the Nuggets, he saw limited minutes off the bench as he adjusted to the professional level, but he showed flashes of his scoring ability. His third season proved to be a breakthrough, as he took on a larger role and averaged over 11 points in 81 games, demonstrating his potential as a reliable offensive weapon. After three and a half seasons with the Nuggets, Beasley was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2020, a move that revitalized his career. With the Timberwolves, he experienced the highest scoring output of his career, averaging 19.9 points over 51 games during his first season and a half with the team, establishing himself as a potent scorer and a key contributor.
Beasley later continued his NBA journey with stints on other teams before joining the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico, expanding his professional horizons beyond the United States. Off the court, Beasley married Montana Yao in 2020, though the couple later filed for divorce. Known for his confident style of play and ability to stretch defenses with his three-point shooting, Malik Beasley remains a notable figure in basketball, celebrated for his scoring bursts and his journey from a promising college star to a professional guard who has left his mark on multiple teams.