Malik Williams Explained

Malik Williams
Position:Power forward / center
Height Ft:6
Height In:11
Weight Lbs:240
Team:Free agent
Birth Date:26 August 1998
Birth Place:Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
High School:R. Nelson Snider
(Fort Wayne, Indiana)
College:Louisville (2017–2022)
Draft Year:2022
Career Start:2023
Years1:2023
Team1:Anwil Włocławek
Years2:2023–2024
Team2:Sioux Falls Skyforce
Years3:–present
Team3:Toronto Raptors
Highlights:

Malik Williams (born August 26, 1998) is an American basketball player who last played for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.

High school career

Williams played basketball for R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.[1] As a senior, he averaged 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and four blocks per game, leading his team to its first Summit Athletic Conference title since 2009. Williams was one of four finalists for the Indiana Mr. Basketball award.[2] He left as the program's all-time leader in rebounds and blocks.[3]

Recruiting

Williams was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. On August 4, 2016, he committed to playing college basketball for Louisville over offers from Purdue, Michigan State and Indiana, among others.[4] [5] [6]

College career

As a freshman at Louisville, Williams averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.[7] On January 6, 2019, he posted a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 90–73 win against Miami (Florida).[8] Williams averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[9] He missed the first four games of his junior season after undergoing surgery for a broken foot.[10] As a junior, Williams averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and was the runner-up for Atlantic Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year.[11] He was limited to three games in his senior season after reinjuring his foot twice. He returned to Louisville for his fifth season of eligibility, granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] On February 1, 2022, Williams was indefinitely suspended due to failing to uphold program standards, but was reinstated on February 7 after missing two games.[13]

Professional career

Anwil Włocławek (2023)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Williams signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League on January 1, 2023.[14]

Sioux Falls Skyforce (2023–2024)

On October 30, Williams joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce,[15] but was waived on November 8.[16] Five days later, he re-joined the Skyforce[17] where he played 33 games and averaged 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.2 minutes.[18]

Toronto Raptors (2024–present)

On April 3, 2024, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors and on April 13, he signed for the rest of the season.[19]

Career statistics

NBA

Source[20]

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24| style="text-align:left;"| Toronto| 7 || 2 || 15.2 || .265 || .200 || .000 || 5.4 || .3 || .4 || .6 || 2.7|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 7 || 2 || 15.2 || .265 || .200 || .000 || 5.4 || .3 || .4 || .6 || 2.7

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18| style="text-align:left;"| Louisville| 32 || 12 || 10.6 || .418 || .323 || .688 || 2.4 || .2 || .4 || .4 || 3.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19| style="text-align:left;"| Louisville| 34 || 20 || 18.2 || .420 || .318 || .701 || 6.1 || .3 || .3 || 1.2 || 7.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Louisville| 26 || 3 || 18.7 || .497 || .290 || .648 || 6.1 || .3 || .5 || .6 || 8.5|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21| style="text-align:left;"| Louisville| 3 || 2 || 20.7 || .300 || .286 || .250 || 6.0 || 1.0 || .7 || .0 || 5.0|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 95 || 37 || 15.8 || .439 || .314 || .667 || 4.9 || .3 || .4 || .7 || 6.5

Personal life

Williams wears the number 5 jersey and has a tattoo on his right forearm to honor his friend and former R. Nelson Snider High School girls basketball player, Peytin Chamble, who died in a car accident at age 17.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kyle. Neddenriep. Recruiting: Malik Williams has 2 offers, interest growing. The Indianapolis Star. May 2, 2015. October 21, 2021.
  2. Web site: Snider’s Williams a finalist for Indiana Mr. Basketball award. The News-Sentinel. April 6, 2017. October 21, 2021.
  3. Web site: Jeff. Greer. Can Louisville's coaches find a niche for Malik Williams?. The Athletic. November 6, 2018. October 21, 2021.
  4. Web site: Ricky. O'Donnell. 4-star recruit Malik Williams commits to Louisville amid NCAA scandal. SB Nation. August 4, 2016. October 21, 2021.
  5. Web site: Jeff. Greer. Recruiting analyst breaks down new U of L pledge. The Courier-Journal. August 5, 2016. October 21, 2021.
  6. Web site: Mike. Rutherford. Malik Williams a 5-star prospect in final ESPN class of 2017 rankings. CardChronicle.com. April 18, 2017. October 21, 2021.
  7. Web site: Danielle. Lerner. Louisville basketball 2018-19: Issues on defense? Meet Malik Williams.. The Courier-Journal. August 22, 2018. October 21, 2021.
  8. Web site: Tim. Sullivan. Why Louisville basketball's Malik Williams has earned a longer look. The Courier-Journal. January 7, 2019. October 21, 2021.
  9. Web site: Sam. Drautsep. Williams out for 6 to 8 weeks. Sports Illustrated. September 23, 2019. October 21, 2021.
  10. Web site: Lucas. Aulbach. Malik Williams is back for Louisville basketball – and that should worry opponents. The Courier-Journal. November 22, 2019. October 21, 2021.
  11. Web site: Louisville's Malik Williams out 12 weeks; needs foot surgery. USA Today. Associated Press. November 7, 2020. October 21, 2021.
  12. Web site: Matthew. McGavic. Malik Williams to Return for Fifth Year With Louisville. Sports Illustrated. March 20, 2021. October 21, 2021.
  13. News: Louisville Cardinals' top scorer Malik Williams reinstated after suspension. ESPN. February 7, 2022. February 7, 2022.
  14. Web site: Dario. Skerletic. Anwil Włoclawek lands Malik Williams. Sportando.basketball. January 1, 2023. January 1, 2023.
  15. Web site: Skyforce Announces Training Camp Roster Ahead of 2023-24 Season. NBA.com. October 30, 2023. January 28, 2024.
  16. Web site: 2023-2024 Sioux Falls Skyforce Transaction History. RealGM.com. January 28, 2024.
  17. Web site: Skyforce Acquires Malik Williams. NBA.com. November 13, 2023. January 28, 2024.
  18. Web site: RAPTORS SIGN WILLIAMS TO 10-DAY CONTRACT. NBA.com. April 3, 2024. April 3, 2024.
  19. Web site: Arthur. Hill. Raptors Re-Sign Malik Williams For The End Of The Season. HoopsRumors.com. April 13, 2024. April 13, 2024.
  20. Web site: Malik Williams Career Stats. Statmuse. 14 April 2024. 15 April 2024.
  21. Web site: Danielle. Lerner. Louisville basketball's Malik Williams plays with his angel by his side. The Courier-Journal. January 23, 2019. October 21, 2021.