Malik Fitts

Malik Jahmal Fitts (born July 4, 1997) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League. He previously played for the Boston Celtics. He played college basketball for the South Florida Bulls and the Saint Mary's Gaels.

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. He attended Damien High School. 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. Fitts opted to complete a postgraduate 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.

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. He was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after a 29-point, 11-rebound performance against Memphis. Following the end of the season Fitts announced he would be leaving the program.

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). As a redshirt junior, Fitts was a focal point on the team's offense alongside Jordan Ford. Fitts scored a career high 30 points and added eight rebounds in an 86–80 win over San Francisco on February 2, 2019. 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. He set a career high with 14 rebounds along with 17 points in a 66–60 win over San Diego on February 6, 2020. At the conclusion of the regular season, Fitts was named to the First Team All-WCC. 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.

Professional career

Agua Caliente Clippers (2021)
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Fitts signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was waived by the team on December 14 after appearing in two preseason games. On February 4, 2021, he signed with the Agua Caliente Clippers, appearing in 14 games and averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

Los Angeles Clippers (2021) 
On April 9, 2021, Fitts signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Utah Jazz (2021–2022)
On September 28, 2021, Fitts signed with the Utah Jazz. His contract was converted to a two-way deal on October 16. He split time between the Jazz and their NBA G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. On January 13, 2022, Fitts was waived by the Jazz.

Boston Celtics (2022)
On February 23, 2022, Fitts signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics. He signed a second 10-day contract on March 5. Fitts signed a two-year contract on March 15. The Celtics reached the 2022 NBA Finals, but were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in 6 games.

On July 9, 2022, Fitts was traded, alongside Nik Stauskas, Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, Juwan Morgan and a 2023 first-round pick, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon. On July 14, Fitts was waived by the Pacers.

Ontario Clippers (2022–2023)
On October 24, 2022, Fitts joined the Ontario Clippers training camp roster.

On October 21, 2023, Fitts signed with the Washington Wizards, but was waived the same day.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 
| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers
| 3 || 0 || 3.7 || .333 || .500 ||  || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah
| 7 || 0 || 5.0 || .222 || .500 ||  || 1.4 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 8 || 0 || 3.5 || .600 || .500 ||  || .9 || .6 || .0 || .0 || 1.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 18 || 0 || 4.1 || .409 || .500 ||  || 1.1 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.3

Playoffs

|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2022
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 9 || 0 || 1.8 || .750 || 1.000 || — || .2 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 9 || 0 || 1.8 || .750 || 1.000 || — || .2 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .9

College

|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| South Florida
| 27 || 18 || 24.4 || .395 || .338 || .538 || 4.6 || 1.1 || .7 || .4 || 7.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="11"|  Redshirt
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's
| 34 || 33 || 30.7 || .475 || .406 || .770 || 7.6 || .9 || 1.1 || .2 || 15.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Saint Mary's
| 34 || 34 || 34.2 || .472 || .408 || .799 || 7.1 || 1.2 || 1.4 || .4 || 16.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 95 || 85 || 30.2 || .458 || .392 || .745 || 6.5 || 1.1 || 1.1 || .3 || 13.5

Personal life
Fitts grew up in a Christian family, and his father is a pastor.

References

External links
Saint Mary's Gaels bio
South Florida Bulls bio

1997 births
Living people
Agua Caliente Clippers players
American men's basketball players
Basketball players from San Bernardino County, California
Boston Celtics players
Brewster Academy alumni
Damien High School alumni
Los Angeles Clippers players
Maine Celtics players
Ontario Clippers players
Power forwards (basketball)
Saint Mary's Gaels men's basketball players
Salt Lake City Stars players
South Florida Bulls men's basketball players
Sportspeople from Rancho Cucamonga, California
Undrafted National Basketball Association players
Utah Jazz players