Malik Fitts

Malik Fitts (born July 4, 1997) is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League. Fitts played college basketball for the South Florida Bulls and the Saint Mary's Gaels.

Malik Fitts
Agua Caliente Clippers
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1997-07-04) July 4, 1997
Rancho Cucamonga, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2020 / Undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2021–presentAgua Caliente Clippers
Career highlights and awards
  • First team All-WCC (2020)
  • Second team All-WCC (2019)

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 post graduate 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

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.

Agua Caliente Clippers (2021–present)

On February 4, 2021, Fitts was included in the roster of the Agua Caliente Clippers.[16]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 South Florida 271824.4.395.338.5384.61.1.7.47.4
2017–18 Saint Mary's
Redshirt
2018–19 Saint Mary's 343330.7.475.406.7707.6.91.1.215.2
2019–20 Saint Mary's 343434.2.472.408.7997.11.21.4.416.5
Career 958530.2.458.392.7456.51.11.1.313.5

Personal life

Fitts grew up in a Christian family, and his father is a pastor. He used to sing in a choir and play drums in church. Fitts has a passion for fashion and clothes.[1]

References
  1. Kalbrosky, Bryan; Rude, Jacob (November 2, 2020). "NBA prospect Malik Fitts on being an underdog and board man getting paid". Rookie Wire. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  2. "Malik Fitts gives Damien more star power heading to Friday's Division III state championship game". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  3. "Chino Hills junior Lonzo Ball leads Daily Bulletin All-Inland Valley boys selections". Chino Hills Daily Bulletin. August 13, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  4. Gardner, Michelle (October 1, 2015). "Former Damien star Malik Fitts commits to South Florida". InsideSoCal.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  5. Murray, Chris (April 19, 2017). "USF transfer Malik Fitts takes official visit to Nevada". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  6. Knight, Joey (February 6, 2017). "USF freshman Malik Fitts honored by AAC". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  7. Benach, Tito (March 22, 2017). "Report: Forward Malik Fitts leaving USF basketball program". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. "Saint Mary's Basketball: Malik Fitts most important Gael for 2019-20". Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  9. "St. Mary's Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts named to All-WCC first team". San Francisco Chronicle. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  10. "Saint Mary's gets 30 from Malik Fitts, holds off USF". The Mercury News. February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. "Jordan Ford, Malik Fitts lead St. Mary's past Cal". San Francisco Chronicle. December 14, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  12. "Fitts, Ford lead Saint Mary's past San Diego 66–60". APNews.com. February 6, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  13. "WCC Announces 2019-20 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team" (Press release). West Coast Conference. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  14. "Malik Fitts to bypass last year of eligibilty, signs with agent". Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  15. Swanson, Miriam (November 18, 2020). "Clippers deal for Luke Kennard, trading away Landry Shamet and Rodney McGruder". Orange County Register. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  16. "Agua Caliente Clippers announce roster for 2021 NBA G League season". NBA.com. February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
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