Malik Beasley Working To Repair Image With Jazz
Jul 10, 2022, 4:42 PM
Utah Jazz guard Malik Beasley (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Malik Beasley wants to repair his image during his fresh start with the Utah Jazz.
Beasley was sent to the Jazz from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Rudy Gobert blockbuster, but despite his talent on the floor, his life off the court has drawn routinely drawn more attention.
Most notably, Beasley was arrested in September of 2020 for pointing a gun at a family who parked near his home. When police officers searched Beasley’s property they found narcotics and numerous guns, one of which was confirmed as stolen, according to an article from ESPN.
Malik Beasley on playing for the @utahjazz.
"I went to Utah for a few days just to see some things and I got great vibes. I love the view of the mountains, and I know every time I play in Utah the crowd is gonna be hyped. So I'm excited about that."#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 10, 2022
After pleading guilty to a felony for threats of violence, the then-Timberwolves guard was sentenced to a 120-day jail sentence to be served after the 2020-21 NBA season. Beasley ended up serving 87 total days on house arrest and can see the felony reduced to a misdemeanor when he clears probation.
Now a member of the Jazz, Beasley wants to prove that chapter of his life is behind him.
“I’ve been through a lot over the past few years,” Beasley admitted, “and my main goal is to be way better off the court.”
Beasley’s numbers took a hit after returning to the floor last season averaging just 12.1 points and 2.9 rebounds, but he was able to appear in 79 games for the Timberwolves.
The new Jazzman credited those close to him with the desire to rebuild his life.
“My family has been a big influence to me, my therapist has been a good influence because I get help now weekly by weekly,” Beasley said. “So just continue to be strong on and off the court.”
Let's make it official 🤝
Welcome to Utah, Malik! pic.twitter.com/wobPhaxShM
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 10, 2022
Beasley played one season at Florida State where he averaged 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds before entering his name into the NBA Draft. The guard was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 19th pick of the 2016 draft and spent three years with the Nuggets before being shipped to Minnesota.
Now entering his seventh season in the NBA, Beasley said he grew tired of finding trouble in his personal life.
“I was just tired of making the same mistakes that I’ve made before and I don’t want to go through that anymore,” Beasley said. “I believe in second chances, I believe everything happens for a reason, so I feel like I can just do better in the world.”
In 336 career games, Beasley averages 10.4 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 38 percent from the three-point line.
