Malik Beasley Bio
Malik JonMikal Beasley is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association. A shooting guard known for his three-point shooting and scoring ability, Beasley was drafted 19th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2016 NBA Draft following a one-and-done season at Florida State University. He has since played for seven NBA teams across nine seasons, establishing himself as a prolific three-point shooter and earning recognition for setting franchise records in Minnesota and Detroit.
Early Life and Background
Malik JonMikal Beasley was born on November 26, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Saint Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he developed into a highly regarded basketball prospect. As a senior at St. Francis, Beasley averaged 22.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, earning Georgia Class 1A Player of the Year honors and a spot on the All-State Class A First Team.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Beasley chose to play college basketball at Florida State over offers from several major programs, including UConn, UCLA, Wake Forest, Oregon, and others. He played alongside future NBA players during his high school career at St. Francis, including Kobi Simmons, Kaiser Gates, and Jacob Davis.
Path to Professional Basketball
Beasley committed to Florida State and made an immediate impact as a freshman during the 2015-16 season. He appeared in 34 games, averaging 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. He led the Seminoles in scoring and helped guide the team to a 20-14 record and a berth in the NIT Tournament.
His stellar freshman campaign earned him Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team honors, and he ranked among the conference leaders in free throw percentage and field goal percentage. On March 21, 2016, Beasley declared for the NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility and becoming the first one-and-done prospect in Florida State basketball history. Prior to the draft, he underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right leg, which prevented him from participating in pre-draft workouts.
Malik Beasley Career
Denver Nuggets (2016–2020)
Despite medical concerns entering the 2016 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Beasley with the 19th overall pick. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Nuggets on August 9, 2016. His rookie season began slowly, as he appeared in just two of the Nuggets’ first seven games with limited minutes. He had a breakthrough performance on November 10, 2016, scoring 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench against the Golden State Warriors.
During his rookie season, Beasley had multiple assignments with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League. His role expanded over his first three seasons, and he averaged over 11 points per game in his third year, appearing in 81 games. His career breakthrough came on February 1, 2019, when he scored a career-high 35 points in a win over the Houston Rockets.
Minnesota Timberwolves (2020–2022)
On February 5, 2020, Beasley was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a four-team, 12-player trade. Upon arriving in Minnesota, he immediately earned a starting role and his production increased dramatically. In 14 games with the Timberwolves that season, he averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while starting all 14 contests.
On November 27, 2020, Beasley re-signed with the Timberwolves on a reported four-year, $60 million contract. During the 2021-22 season, he set the Timberwolves franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single season with 240, surpassing Kevin Love’s previous record of 190. He also made a franchise-record 11 three-pointers in a single game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 9, 2022. His 33 points in that game stand as the most points in an NBA game made exclusively from three-point shots. In Game 1 of the playoffs that year, Beasley scored a playoff career-high 23 points in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Utah Jazz (2022–2023)
On July 6, 2022, Beasley was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Rudy Gobert to Minnesota. He made his Jazz debut on October 19, 2022, recording 15 points and five rebounds in a win over his former team, the Denver Nuggets. Beasley spent one season with the Jazz before being traded again.
Los Angeles Lakers (2023)
On February 9, 2023, Beasley was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal. He made his Lakers debut two days later, contributing four points and two rebounds in a win over the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers declined Beasley’s team option on June 29, 2023, making him a free agent.
Milwaukee Bucks (2023–2024)
On July 6, 2023, Beasley signed a minimum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. On November 16, 2023, he scored a season-high 30 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors. During the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, Beasley participated in the Three-Point Contest, ultimately losing to his Bucks teammate Damian Lillard.
Detroit Pistons (2024–2025)
On July 11, 2024, Beasley signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Detroit Pistons. He quickly became a key contributor off the bench for the Pistons, showcasing his scoring and three-point shooting abilities throughout the season. On January 13, 2025, he scored 22 points in a win over the New York Knicks, including the last two three-pointers that sealed the victory.
On February 9, 2025, Beasley scored a career-high 36 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Three days later, he set the Pistons franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season with 212, breaking Saddiq Bey’s previous record of 211. Beasley played in all 82 games for Detroit during the 2024-25 NBA season, finishing the year averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Beasley has established himself as an elite three-point shooter throughout his NBA career. His quick release and ability to shoot off the catch make him a constant threat from beyond the arc. He has demonstrated the capacity to score in bunches and take over games when he gets hot from three-point range. His career shows a pattern of improving his three-point production with each franchise, culminating in the record-setting season with the Pistons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beasley’s career has been defined by several significant milestones. He holds the distinction of setting single-season three-point records for two different franchises. His 11 three-point game with Minnesota remains a franchise record, and his 33-point performance on March 9, 2022, stands as the most points ever scored in an NBA game made exclusively from three-point shots. During the 2024-25 playoffs against the New York Knicks, Beasley finished second in voting for Sixth Man of the Year, losing to Payton Pritchard. He notably scored 20 points in Game 6 of the first-round series, though the Pistons fell just short in a 113-116 loss.
Malik Beasley Career Highlights
Throughout his NBA career, Beasley has established himself as a reliable three-point shooter and scoring threat, playing for seven teams across nine seasons. He has twice set franchise records for single-season three-pointers made and has demonstrated the ability to contribute at a high level in various roles.
NBA Highlights
Beasley’s most productive statistical seasons came with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. With Minnesota, he averaged 20.7 points per game after being traded in February 2020, and he set the franchise record with 240 three-pointers made during the 2021-22 season. His time with Detroit saw him reach a career-high 36 points and set the Pistons franchise record with 212 three-pointers made in a single season. He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2025 and appeared in all 82 games during the 2024-25 season.
College and Pre-NBA Achievements
Beasley earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors in 2016 following his one season at Florida State, where he averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He was named Georgia Class 1A Player of the Year during his senior year of high school at St. Francis School.
| Level | Season | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| College (Florida State) | 2015-16 | 34 | 15.6 |
| NBA (Career) | 2016-2025 | 600+ | 12.8 |
Malik Beasley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Beasley’s grandfather was John Beasley, a well-known actor who appeared in the film Rudy, playing Notre Dame football Coach Warren. This connection to athletics runs deep in the family, with Malik representing the generation that pursued basketball professionally.
Personal Life
Beasley was married to Montana Yao, with whom he had two children: a son born on March 26, 2019, and a daughter born on November 11, 2022. Beasley and Yao divorced in March 2025 after Yao filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Beasley also had a brief relationship with television personality Larsa Pippen from 2020 until 2021, and they briefly reunited in late 2021 before separating permanently.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season marked one of the most productive of Beasley’s career. Signed by the Detroit Pistons in July 2024, he provided instant offense off the bench and became a reliable three-point shooting threat throughout the season. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots at a high rate made him a valuable complement to the Pistons’ young core led by Cade Cunningham.
Beasley’s signature moments included his career-high 36-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in February and his game-winning three-pointers against the New York Knicks in January. His record-setting season from three-point range solidified his place in Pistons history and demonstrated his continued ability to contribute at a high level despite frequent team changes throughout his career.
The Pistons qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, facing the Knicks in the first round. Beasley finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, validating his strong regular season performance. Although the Pistons were eliminated in Game 6 against New York, Beasley’s season represented a successful campaign that ended with him becoming an unrestricted free agent. His 82-game appearance streak demonstrated his durability and reliability throughout the grueling NBA season.