Malik Beasley: Sharpshooter’s Journey Marred by Off-Court Struggles

Malik Beasley’s story is one of undeniable talent on the basketball court, a journey from Georgia high school phenom to NBA marksman, now facing significant uncertainty with the Detroit Pistons. His path, however, has been punctuated by off-court challenges that continue to shape his narrative.

From Alpharetta Standout to ACC Freshman Star
Hailing from Saint Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia, Beasley established himself early. A dominant senior year averaging 22.2 points and 6.9 rebounds earned him Georgia’s Class 1A Player of the Year honors. As a coveted four-star recruit, he chose Florida State over offers like UConn and UCLA.

His freshman season with the Florida State Seminoles was electric. Averaging 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, he led the team in scoring, secured All-ACC Freshman Team honors, and helped propel the Seminoles to the NIT Tournament. His impressive .471 field goal percentage and .813 free throw percentage signaled a potent scorer. Making history, Beasley became Florida State’s first one-and-done prospect, declaring for the 2016 NBA draft after just one season.

Navigating the NBA Landscape
Despite pre-draft surgery for a stress fracture, the Denver Nuggets selected Beasley 19th overall in the 2016 NBA draft. His early years involved limited minutes and assignments to the Sioux Falls Skyforce (then of the NBA Development League). Patience paid off; by his third season, he emerged as a key contributor, averaging over 11 points in 81 games. A career-high 35 points against the Houston Rockets in February 2019 showcased his potential.

A four-team trade in February 2020 sent Beasley to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Thriving as a starter, his scoring exploded to 20.7 points per game. This earned him a substantial four-year, $60 million contract extension in November 2020. His time in Minnesota was marked by elite three-point shooting. He shattered the Timberwolves franchise record for threes in a season (eventually reaching 240) and set an NBA record by scoring 33 points solely from 11 three-pointers in a single game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also delivered a playoff career-high 23 points against the Memphis Grizzlies.

However, his tenure was interrupted by a 12-game suspension in 2021 following a guilty plea related to a September 2020 incident involving marijuana possession and brandishing a firearm. He ultimately served 78 days of a 120-day sentence.

A Transient Veteran
The summer of 2022 saw Beasley involved in the blockbuster trade sending Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, landing him with the Utah Jazz. A mid-season three-team trade in February 2023 then brought him to the Los Angeles Lakers. After the Lakers declined his team option, Beasley signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2023. Highlights included a season-high 30 points against the Toronto Raptors and participation in the 2024 Three-Point Contest (losing to teammate Damian Lillard).

Seeking a fresh start, Beasley joined the Detroit Pistons in July 2024. He quickly made an impact, showcasing his signature shooting. A 22-point performance, including clutch late three-pointers, secured a win over the New York Knicks. He then set a new career-high with 36 points against the Philadelphia 76ers and broke the Pistons franchise record for three-pointers in a season (212), surpassing Saddiq Bey.

Personal Life and Ongoing Challenges
Off the court, Beasley’s life has seen turbulence. He shares two children with ex-wife Montana Yao, who filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences” in March 2025. He also had a publicized relationship with Larsa Pippen. His grandfather was actor John Beasley (known for Rudy).

Most concerningly, on June 29th, 2025, the United States Attorney office announced Beasley is under investigation for gambling and allegedly placing prop bets on NBA games. This investigation casts a significant shadow over his promising start in Detroit.

Conclusion
Malik Beasley’s professional basketball career demonstrates remarkable resilience and scoring prowess, particularly from beyond the arc, earning him recognition and franchise records with multiple NBA teams like the Timberwolves and now the Pistons. Yet, his journey remains inextricably linked to off-court decisions. The serious gambling investigation initiated in June 2025 represents the latest and potentially most damaging challenge, leaving his future with the Detroit Pistons and within the league profoundly uncertain. His story is still being written, balancing on-court achievement against persistent adversity.

• List of NBA single-game 3-point field goal leaders
• List of NBA single-season 3-point scoring leaders
• List of people banned or suspended by the NBA

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