Malik Williams

Malik Williams's Biography

Malik Williams is a seasoned professional basketball player known for his talent and dedication. Born on the 26th of August 1998, he is a thriving athlete in the NBA G League, currently playing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Prior to his professional career, his passion for basketball was ignited and honed at the collegiate level, where he played for the Louisville Cardinals.

His journey, however, began much earlier in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he attended R. Nelson Snider High School. Basketball was a major part of his high school experience and Williams made impactful contributions to his team during his time there. As a senior, his performance was nothing short of extraordinary, averaging 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and four blocks per game. His efforts were instrumental in leading his team to win their first Summit Athletic Conference title since 2009.

His exceptional skills on the court led to Williams being named one of the four finalists for the prestigious Indiana Mr. Basketball award. In addition to this, he left a lasting legacy as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocks.

Talent scouts didn’t take long to spot Williams’ potential and soon enough, he was named a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. After careful consideration, he committed to playing college basketball for Louisville on August 4, 2016, choosing the opportunity over offers from Purdue, Michigan State and Indiana, among others.

Once at Louisville, his career took off with him averaging 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his freshman year. The pinnacle of his college career came on January 6, 2019, when he posted a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds in a triumphant win against Miami, with a score of 90-73. During his sophomore year, Williams averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

However, his playing time as a junior was hindered due to a broken foot that required surgery, causing him to miss the first four games of the season. Despite this, he pushed through with resilience and returned to average 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. His stellar performance made him the runner-up for the Atlantic Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year.

Williams’ senior year was unfortunately marred by reinjuries to his foot, limiting him to participate in only three games. However, when granted a fifth season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to Louisville. There was a brief moment of concern in February 2022, when Williams was indefinitely suspended for failing to uphold program standards. But after missing only two games, he was reinstated on February 7.

Emerging from his student-athlete days unscathed, Williams pursued his dreams of professional basketball. Despite going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, he continued his pursuit and signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League on January 1, 2023.

With steadfast determination, Williams continued to reach for the stars as he took part in a tryout with the Sioux Falls Skyforce on October 30. Although waived off initially, he returned to the team just five days later. In his 33 games with the Skyforce, Williams averaged 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.2 minutes.

His hard work paid off when he landed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors on April 3, 2024, and on April 13, he secured a place with the team for the rest of the season. Although he briefly signed with the Miami Heat on September 11, 2024, he was waived the next day and returned to his place with the Sioux Falls Skyforce by October 28.

Aside from contributing to the world of basketball, Williams also maintains a close connection to his roots and maintains a deep sense of camaraderie. To honor his friend and former R. Nelson Snider High School girls basketball player, Peytin Chamble, who passed away tragically in a car accident at age 17, Williams sports the number 5 jersey and a tattoo on his right forearm. His actions, both on and off the court, demonstrate his dedication to the game and the relationships he has built along the way.