Malik Fitts Explained

Malik Fitts
Position:Power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:230
League:LNB Élite
Team:SIG Strasbourg
Number:24
Birth Date:4 July 1997
Birth Place:Lynwood, California, U.S.
High School:
College:
Draft Year:2020
Career Start:2021
Years1:2021
Team1:Agua Caliente Clippers
Team2:Los Angeles Clippers
Team3:Utah Jazz
Years4:2021–2022
Team4:→Salt Lake City Stars
Team5:Boston Celtics
Years6:2022
Team6:→Maine Celtics
Years7:2022–2023
Team7:Ontario Clippers
Years8:2023
Team8:Capital City Go-Go
Years9:2023–2024
Team9:Cleveland Charge
Years10:2024–present
Team10:SIG Strasbourg
Highlights:
  • First-team All-WCC (2020)
  • Second-team All-WCC (2019)

Malik Jahmal Fitts (born July 4, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for SIG Strasbourg of the LNB Élite. He played college basketball for the South Florida Bulls and the Saint Mary's Gaels.

Early life and high school career

Fitts grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California and began playing basketball at the age of four, idolizing Kobe Bryant.[1] He attended Damien High School.[2] He helped lead the school to a CIF Division III state title as a senior and averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Inland Valley honors.[3] Fitts opted to complete a postgraduate year at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. While at Brewster, he committed to play college basketball at South Florida over offers from DePaul, Bradley, Nevada and Hawaii.[4]

College career

Fitts began his collegiate career at South Florida. He saw significant playing time as a freshman, playing in 27 games and starting 18 while averaging 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[5] He was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after a 29-point, 11-rebound performance against Memphis.[6] Following the end of the season Fitts announced he would be leaving the program.[7]

Fitts transferred to Saint Mary's College of California, sitting out one year per NCAA transfer rules. He became an immediate starter for the Gaels the following season, averaging 15.2 points and a team-leading 7.6 rebounds per game and was named second team All-West Coast Conference (WCC).[8] As a redshirt junior, Fitts was a focal point on the team's offense alongside Jordan Ford.[9] Fitts scored a career high 30 points and added eight rebounds in an 86–80 win over San Francisco on February 2, 2019.[10] Fitts hit 5 of six three point attempts and scored 28 total points in Saint Mary's 89–77 win over California on December 14, 2019.[11] He set a career high with 14 rebounds along with 17 points in a 66–60 win over San Diego on February 6, 2020.[12] At the conclusion of the regular season, Fitts was named to the First Team All-WCC.[13] As a junior, Fitts averaged 16.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. After the end of the season, Fitts announced that he was entering the 2020 NBA draft and signing with an agent, forgoing his final season of eligibility.[14]

Professional career

Agua Caliente Clippers (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Fitts signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.[15] He was waived by the team on December 14 after appearing in two preseason games.[16] On February 4, 2021, he signed with the Agua Caliente Clippers,[17] appearing in 14 games and averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.[18]

Los Angeles Clippers (2021)

On April 9, 2021, Fitts signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Utah Jazz (2021–2022)

On September 28, 2021, Fitts signed with the Utah Jazz.[19] His contract was converted to a two-way deal on October 16. He split time between the Jazz and their NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.[20] On January 13, 2022, Fitts was waived by the Jazz.[21]

Boston Celtics (2022)

On February 23, 2022, Fitts signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics.[22] He signed a second 10-day contract on March 5.[23] Fitts signed a two-year contract on March 15.[24] The Celtics reached the 2022 NBA Finals, but were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in 6 games.

On July 9, 2022, Fitts was traded, alongside Nik Stauskas, Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, Juwan Morgan and a 2023 first-round pick, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon.[25] On July 14, Fitts was waived by the Pacers.[26]

Ontario Clippers (2022–2023)

On October 24, 2022, Fitts joined the Ontario Clippers training camp roster.[27]

Capital City Go-Go (2023)

On October 21, 2023, Fitts signed with the Washington Wizards,[28] but was waived the same day.[29] On October 30, he joined the Capital City Go-Go.[30]

Cleveland Charge (2023–2024)

On December 26, 2023, Fitts was included in a three team trade that sent him to the Cleveland Charge.[31]

SIG Strasbourg (2024–present)

On July 31, 2024, Fitts signed with SIG Strasbourg of the LNB Élite.[32]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 3 || 0 || 3.7 || .333 || .500 || || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Utah| 7 || 0 || 5.0 || .222 || .500 || || 1.4 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 8 || 0 || 3.5 || .600 || .500 || || .9 || .6 || .0 || .0 || 1.9|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 18 || 0 || 4.1 || .409 || .500 || || 1.1 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.3

Playoffs

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022| style="text-align:left;"| Boston| 9 || 0 || 1.8 || .750 || 1.000 || — || .2 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 9 || 0 || 1.8 || .750 || 1.000 || — || .2 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17| style="text-align:left;"| South Florida| 27 || 18 || 24.4 || .395 || .338 || .538 || 4.6 || 1.1 || .7 || .4 || 7.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"| Redshirt|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's| 34 || 33 || 30.7 || .475 || .406 || .770 || 7.6 || .9 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.2|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's| 34 || 34 || 34.2 || .472 || .408 || .799 || 7.1 || 1.2 || 1.4 || .4 || 16.5|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 95 || 85 || 30.2 || .458 || .392 || .745 || 6.5 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .3 || 13.5

Personal life

Fitts grew up in a Christian family, and his father is a pastor.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Kalbrosky . Bryan . Rude . Jacob . NBA prospect Malik Fitts on being an underdog and board man getting paid . November 6, 2020 . Rookie Wire . November 2, 2020 . November 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201103035601/https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2020/11/02/saint-marys-malik-fitts-nba-draft-interview/ . live .
  2. Web site: Malik Fitts gives Damien more star power heading to Friday's Division III state championship game. San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 25 March 2015 . March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327202212/https://www.sgvtribune.com/2015/03/25/malik-fitts-gives-damien-more-star-power-heading-to-fridays-division-iii-state-championship-game/. live.
  3. News: Chino Hills junior Lonzo Ball leads Daily Bulletin All-Inland Valley boys selections . June 2, 2020 . . August 13, 2015 . February 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220225174829/https://www.dailybulletin.com/2015/04/13/chino-hills-junior-lonzo-ball-leads-daily-bulletin-all-inland-valley-boys-selections/ . live .
  4. Web site: Former Damien star Malik Fitts commits to South Florida. Michelle. Gardner. InsideSoCal.com. October 1, 2015. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327202954/http://www.insidesocal.com/onpreps/2015/10/01/former-damien-star-malik-fitts-commits-to-south-florida/. live.
  5. Web site: USF transfer Malik Fitts takes official visit to Nevada. Chris. Murray. Reno Gazette-Journal. April 19, 2017. March 27, 2020. February 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220225174821/https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/college/nevada/2017/04/19/usf-transfer-malik-fitts-takes-official-visit-nevada/100662822/. live.
  6. Web site: USF freshman Malik Fitts honored by AAC. Joey. Knight. Tampa Bay Times. February 6, 2017. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327195821/https://www.tampabay.com/usf-freshman-malik-fitts-honored-by-aac/2312231/. dead.
  7. Web site: Report: Forward Malik Fitts leaving USF basketball program. Tito. Benach. CBSSports.com. March 22, 2017. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327200036/https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/report-forward-malik-fitts-leaving-usf-basketball-program/. live.
  8. Web site: Saint Mary's Basketball: Malik Fitts most important Gael for 2019-20. 25 July 2019 . March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327203423/https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/07/25/saint-marys-basketball-malik-fitts-important-gael-2019-20/. live.
  9. Web site: St. Mary's Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts named to All-WCC first team. San Francisco Chronicle. March 3, 2020. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327201337/https://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports/article/St-Mary-s-Jordan-Ford-Malik-Fitts-named-to-15100726.php. live.
  10. Web site: Saint Mary's gets 30 from Malik Fitts, holds off USF. The Mercury News. February 2, 2019. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327233757/https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/02/saint-marys-gets-30-from-malik-fitts-holds-off-usf/. live.
  11. Web site: Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts lead St. Mary's past Cal. San Francisco Chronicle. December 14, 2019. March 27, 2020. December 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191231083821/https://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports/article/Jordan-Ford-Malik-Fitts-lead-St-Mary-s-past-14907589.php. live.
  12. Web site: Fitts, Ford lead Saint Mary's past San Diego 66–60. APNews.com. February 6, 2020. March 27, 2020. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200327234511/https://apnews.com/fe006a88a632389e72e8615bb1875465. live.
  13. WCC Announces 2019-20 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team . West Coast Conference . March 3, 2020 . March 3, 2020 . February 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220225174831/https://wccsports.com/news/2020/3/3/wcc-announces-2019-20-mens-basketball-all-conference-team-mbb.aspx . live .
  14. Web site: Malik Fitts to bypass last year of, signs with agent. March 27, 2020. February 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220225174838/https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/Malik-Fitts-Saint-Marys-signs-with-agent-145420057/. live.
  15. News: Miriam. Swanson. Clippers deal for Luke Kennard, trading away Landry Shamet and Rodney McGruder. Orange County Register. November 18, 2020. November 19, 2020. November 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119033550/https://www.ocregister.com/2020/11/18/clippers-deal-for-luke-kennard-trading-away-landry-shamet-and-rodney-mcgruder/. live.
  16. Web site: Dana. Gauruder. Clippers Waive Ky Bowman, Malik Fitts, Jordan Ford. HoopsRumors.com. December 14, 2020. April 9, 2021. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126044931/https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/12/clippers-waive-ky-bowman-malik-fitts-jordan-ford.html. live.
  17. Web site: Agua Caliente Clippers announce roster for 2021 NBA G League season. NBA.com. February 4, 2021. February 4, 2021. February 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210205153015/https://aguacaliente.gleague.nba.com/news/agua-caliente-clippers-announce-roster-for-2021-nba-g-league-season/. live.
  18. Web site: LA Clippers Sign Malik Fitts To 10-Day Contract. NBA.com. April 9, 2021. April 9, 2021. April 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210409175634/https://www.nba.com/clippers/news/la-clippers-sign-malik-fitts-10-day-contract. live.
  19. Web site: Utah Jazz sign Marques Bolden and Malik Fitts. NBA.com. September 28, 2021. September 29, 2021. September 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210928233821/https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-sign-marques-bolden-and-malik-fitts. live.
  20. News: Todd . Sarah . Malik Fitts earns two-way deal with the Utah Jazz . October 17, 2021 . . October 16, 2021 . October 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211016222216/https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/16/22712660/malik-fitts-earns-two-way-deal-with-the-utah-jazz . live .
  21. Web site: Utah Jazz Waive Malik Fitts. live. January 13, 2022. Utah Jazz. January 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113213332/https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-waive-malik-fitts.
  22. Boston Celtics. 1496534679641591810. We have signed forwards Malik Fitts and Kelan Martin to 10-day contracts.. celtics. February 23, 2022. February 23, 2022.
  23. Web site: Boston Celtics on Twitter: "We have signed forwards Malik Fitts and Kelan Martin to their second 10-day contracts." . March 17, 2022 . Twitter.
  24. Web site: Celtics Sign Malik Fitts . March 17, 2022 . NBA.
  25. Web site: Pacers Announce Trade With Boston Celtics . July 11, 2022 . NBA . July 9, 2022.
  26. Web site: Pacers Waive Four Players . .
  27. Web site: Ontario Clippers Announce Training Camp Roster for 2022-23 NBA G League Season. OurSportsCentral.com. October 24, 2022. October 24, 2022.
  28. Washington Wizards. Official: We have signed Malik Fitts to an Exhibit 10 contract.. 1715822059777925567. WashWizards. October 21, 2023. October 28, 2023.
  29. Washington Wizards. Official: We have waived Malik Fitts.. 1715831462702776404. WashWizards. October 21, 2023. October 28, 2023.
  30. Web site: Go-Go Announce Training Camp Roster, Dates. NBA.com. October 30, 2023. November 26, 2023.
  31. Web site: Charge Trade For Fitts. NBA.com. December 26, 2023. January 21, 2024.
  32. Web site: MALIK FITTS CLÔT LE RECRUTEMENT. SIGStrasbourg.fr. July 31, 2024. July 31, 2024. French.

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