Malik Benlevi Explained

Malik Benlevi
Position:Small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:225
League:NZNBL
Team:Wellington Saints
Number:4
Birth Date:20 March 1997
Birth Place:Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
High School:Jenkins (Savannah, Georgia)
College:Georgia State (2015–2019)
Draft Year:2019
Career Start:2019
Years1:2019
Team1:Ostioneros de Guaymas
Years2:20192021
Team2:Salt Lake City Stars
Years3:2021–2022
Team3:Iowa Wolves
Years4:2022–2023
Team4:Saskatchewan Rattlers
Years5:2022–2023
Team5:BC Nokia
Years6:2024–present
Team6:Wellington Saints

Malik Ammon Benlevi (born March 20, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball player for the Georgia State Panthers.

High school career

Benlevi attended Jenkins High School in Savannah, Georgia. He averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists per game as a junior. Benlevi led the team to a Region 3-AAAAA title and to the Class AAAAA Final Four, and was an All-Savannah Morning News first-team selection.[1] As a senior, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, earning Region 1-AAA Player of the Year as well as all-state first-team honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Benlevi led Jenkins to its first state championship, scoring 12 points in the title game against Morgan County High School.[2] He committed to play college basketball at Georgia State over offers from South Carolina State and Kennesaw State.[3]

College career

Benlevi rarely played as a freshman, but averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[4] As a junior, he averaged 9.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.[5] During his senior season, Benlevi frequently played center due to injuries to the team's big men.[2] In the championship game of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, he scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 73–64 win against UT Arlington, and he was named Most Outstanding Player.[6] Benlevi averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.[7]

Professional career

Ostioneros de Guaymas (2019)

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Benlevi signed his first professional contract with Ostioneros de Guaymas of the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico. He averaged 11.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[8]

Salt Lake City Stars (2019–2021)

In October 2019, Benlevi joined the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. During the 2019–20 season, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 18.5 minutes in 37 games. During the G League hub season between February and March 2021, he averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 19.7 minutes in 11 games.

Iowa Wolves (2021–2022)

After initially signing with Grindavík of the Icelandic league,[9] Benlevi joined the Iowa Wolves for the 2021–22 NBA G League season.[10] He was waived on February 28, 2022,[11] and then reacquired by the team on March 10. He averaged 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 16.1 minutes in 27 games while setting his career-high at 5 blocks per game.

Saskatchewan Rattlers and BC Nokia (2022–2023)

On April 12, 2022, Benlevi signed with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the CEBL.

For the 2022–23 season, Benlevi played for BC Nokia in Finland.[12] He then returned to the Rattlers for the 2023 CEBL season.

Wellington Saints (2024–present)

On March 22, 2024, Benlevi signed with the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2024 season.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Jenkins' Benlevi commits to Georgia State . January 29, 2022 . . September 1, 2014.
  2. News: Jaudon . Travis . Malik Benlevi inks G League contract . January 29, 2022 . . October 12, 2019.
  3. News: Freedman . Andrew . Indrisano . Erik . "I knew I was going to Georgia State": 35 minutes with Malik Benlevi . January 29, 2022 . The Signal . February 2, 2020.
  4. Web site: Mitchell . Greg . With D'Marcus Simonds, Georgia State looks like it's headed back to the spotlight . Mid-Major Madness . . January 29, 2022 . September 14, 2017.
  5. News: Culpepper . Juliakate . Georgia State's Malik Benlevi embracing position change for senior season . January 29, 2022 . . October 28, 2018.
  6. Web site: No. 1 Georgia State Defeats No. 2 UTA in Sun Belt Men's Basketball Championship Final . . January 29, 2022 . March 17, 2019.
  7. Web site: A Closer Look at the Midwest Region . KY Insider . January 29, 2022 . March 19, 2019.
  8. Web site: Rattlers Add Malik Benlevi of NBA G League to Their Roster. CEBL.ca. April 12, 2022. April 13, 2022.
  9. Web site: Grindavik inks Malik Benlevi. Eurobasket.com. August 3, 2021. January 29, 2022.
  10. Web site: Iowa Wolves Announce Training Camp Roster and Finalize Coaching Staff. OurSportsCentral.com. October 26, 2021. January 29, 2022.
  11. Web site: 2021-22 NBA G League Transactions. NBA.com. February 28, 2022.
  12. Web site: Malik Benlevi. australiabasket.com. March 22, 2024. subscription.
  13. Web site: Mills Albert Saints Secure Versatile Forward Malik Benlevi as Final Import. saints.co.nz. March 22, 2024. March 22, 2024.