Malik Fitts

BIOGRAPHY

Born on July 4, 1997, Malik Jahmal Fitts embarked on a journey that saw him become a professional basketball player, competing on an international platform. This ambitious endeavor started in the suburban neighborhood of Rancho Cucamonga, California, where Fitts was raised in a Christian family. With his father being a pastor, his early years were characterized by faith and an intense passion for basketball. His infatuation for the sport started at the tender age of four, with his admiration for Kobe Bryant fueling his enthusiasm to step onto the court.

His journey began earnestly at Damien High School, where his knack for the game shone brightly. His senior year culminated in an impressive CIF Division III state title for his school, with him averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. His exceptional performance earned him the prestigious First Team All-Inland Valley honors.

Upon graduation, Fitts decided to complete a postgraduate year at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. His time at Brewster was marked by his commitment to play college basketball at South Florida, much to the disappointment of DePaul, Bradley, Nevada, and Hawaii who had also courted him.

His freshman year at South Florida saw him excel on the court. His performance was marked by playing 27 games and starting 18, while managing an average of 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. A shimmering display against Memphis saw him achieving 29 points, 11 rebounds, and consequently being named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week. However, the end of the season saw Fitts making the decision to depart from the South Florida program.

Fitts subsequently transferred to Saint Mary’s College of California, where he abided by the NCAA transfer rules and sat out for a year. The subsequent season saw him recuperating, emerging as an undeniable force starting for the Gaels and leading the team with 15.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. This impressive show saw him receiving the distinction of the second All-West Coast Conference (WCC) team.

His redshirt junior year had him at the heart of the team’s offensive strategy, contributing considerably alongside Jordan Ford. He achieved a career-high 30 points and eight rebounds against San Francisco. This victorious run continued, with Fitts establishing a commendable career-high of 14 rebounds along with 17 points against San Diego. By the end of the regular season, he was proudly standing as a First Team All-WCC member. In his junior year, he averaged 16.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. As the season concluded, he announced his intent to enter the 2020 NBA draft, therefore, forfeiting his final season of eligibility.

Despite not being drafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Fitts secured a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. This was short-lived as he got waived from the team after participating in two preseason games. He then moved on to play with the Agua Caliente Clippers, followed by a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers again in April 2021. His journey continued with signing contracts with different teams like the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, and Ontario Clippers across different timelines. This also included a two-year contract with the Celtics, where he played in the 2022 NBA Finals. But unfortunately, they were defeated by the Golden State warriors.

In July 2024, Fitts embarked upon a new adventure, moving to France to play for SIG Strasbourg in the LNB Élite. Fitts completed an exotic journey that started in the peaceful neighborhood of suburban California, coursed through the NBA, and presently, finds him amid the cultural offering of Strasbourg, France playing in the LNB Élite.

However, Fitts’ journey, marked by several highs, lows, contracts, and transitions, attest to his resilience, tenacity, and relentless spirit, always bouncing back, regardless of setbacks. The winding journey he has undertaken bears testimony to the fact that every challenge is a stepping stone towards future success. His story will inspire many young aspirants dreaming of making a mark for themselves in the competitive world of basketball.