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Michael Paul Beasley Jr. (born January 9, 1989) is an American professionalbasketball player who last played for theShanghai Sharks of theChinese Basketball Association (CBA). He playedcollege basketball forKansas State University for one year before declaring for the NBA draft in 2008.[1] Beasley was the 2nd pick in the2008 NBA draft and was selected by theMiami Heat. He is regarded as one of the bestfreshman college basketball players of the 2000s.[2] Though he isambidextrous, he shoots left-handed.[3]
Beasley was born in thePrince George's County[4] town ofCheverly, Maryland.[5] Beasley's mother Fatima Smith and his four siblings (two brothers and two sisters)[6] moved from nearbyMontgomery County toFrederick in 2005 and lived there for one year.[4]
While growing up, Beasley played for one of the country's most successfulAAU youth teams at the time, thePG Jaguars. Beasley won multiple national championships with this team alongside future fellow blue-chip recruitsKevin Durant (Texas)[7] and Chris Braswell (Charlotte). Beasley later moved on to play AAU ball for DC Assault's 17 & Under team, playing alongside such players as future KSU teammate Ron Anderson,Nolan Smith (Duke),Chris Wright (Georgetown),Austin Freeman (Georgetown), andJulian Vaughn (Georgetown).
Beasley attended a total of six high schools:Bowie High School inBowie, Maryland, National Christian Academy inFort Washington, Maryland (where he averaged 30 points and 10 rebounds per game in his freshman year, 2003–04),[6]The Pendleton School inBradenton, Florida,Riverdale Baptist School inUpper Marlboro, Maryland (28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks per game as a sophomore, 2004–05),Oak Hill Academy inMouth of Wilson, Virginia (20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game as a junior, 2005–06),[6] andNotre Dame Preparatory School inFitchburg, Massachusetts.[8] As a high school senior, he averaged 28 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game for the 2006–07 season.[6][8] During his senior season he had single-game highs of 64 points and 31 rebounds.[6]
In 2006, Beasley was a second-teamParade All-American and was also named to the 2006 USA Men's U18 National Team member on June 26, 2006. Beasley averaged team highs of 13.8 ppg. and 8.3 rpg at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men inSan Antonio, Texas. He ranked fifth in rebounds per game (8.3 rpg) among all 2006 tournament leaders, and he ranks third all-time in the USA Men's U18 record book. He was named to theMcDonald's All-American team.[9] In the2007 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, he won the MVP with 23 points and 12 rebounds.[10]Rivals.com rated Beasley No. 1 in the class of 2007 high school basketball prospects.[11]
Beasley began his freshman year atKansas State in the fall of 2007. In the 2007–2008 regular season, Beasley was one of the most dominant players in the country. His 26.2 points (3rd in the nation) and nation-leading 12.4 rebounds were the most by aBig 12 player in any season. His 866 total points and 408 rebounds ranked third and second among all freshmen in NCAA history. He also led the nation indouble-doubles (28), 40-point games (three), 30-point, 10-rebound games (13), and 20-point, 10-rebound games (22).[12] His 28 double-doubles broke the freshman double-double record previously held byCarmelo Anthony[12] who had 22 double-doubles in his only season atSyracuse in 2002–03. On February 23, 2008, Beasley scored a Big 12 record 44 points in a 92–86 loss atBaylor.[13] (This mark has since been matched by Kansas State's Denis Clemente.[14]) Beasley became known as an unstoppable force when shooting, finishing the season shooting 53.7 percent from the field (282 of 525). He also finished the season shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range.
Beasley holds 30 Kansas State career, single-season and freshman records as well as 17Big 12 single-game and single-season marks. Beasley guided the Wildcats to a 20–10 record and a 10–6Big 12 Conference record. Some of the key conference victories were a win atOklahoma and, a home victory againstTexas A&M, and a victory against then-unbeaten No. 2Kansas, marking the first time in over four years that Kansas State defeated a Top 10 team at home (Kansas State beat No. 10Texas, 58–48 on March 6, 2004), the first time K-State beat Kansas in Manhattan since 1983 and the first-ever victory against the Jayhawks in Bramlage Coliseum. The win partially backed up a boast he had made before the season about K-State's prospects against the Jayhawks:
We're going to beat Kansasat home. We're going to beat themin their house. We're going to beat them in Africa. Wherever we play, we're going to beat them.[15]
On March 1, 2008, his boast did not come true, asKansas won the return match inLawrence, 88–74 despite 39 points and 11 rebounds from Beasley. He matched a Big 12 record by equaling formerKansas playerDrew Gooden's record for most double-doubles in a season (25).[16] With his 33-point, 14-rebound effort againstColorado on March 4, he eclipsedMitch Richmond's 20-year-old school single-season points record (768; 1987–88), while he broke the Big 12 record for double-doubles in a season with his 26th for the year.[17] He is just the 27th player in NCAADivision I history to post 26 or more double-doubles in a season and the first sinceUtah'sAndrew Bogut (26) did it in 2004–05.
Beasley led the Wildcats to a 10–6 record in conference play, earning a number 3 seed in the2008 Big 12 men's basketball tournament at theSprint Center inKansas City, Missouri. The Wildcats faced the No. 6 seedTexas A&M Aggies and lost 77–71. Beasley had 25 points and 9 rebounds, one board short of a double-double. He shot 10–21 from the field and 1–4 from behind the three-point line. He also registered three blocks. The Wildcats earned a berth in the2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament as the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region. They beat the No. 6 seedUSC Trojans. Beasley had 23 points and 11 rebounds for his 27th double-double of the year.[18] However, the Wildcats lost 72–55 to No. 3Wisconsin in the second round of the tournament. Beasley added 23 points (only 6 scored in the second half) and 13 rebounds against the Badgers his 28th and final double-double.[19]
On April 14, 2008, Beasley announced that he would forgo his last three years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.[20]
Beasley is one of just two players in Kansas State history to earn first team All-America honors from theAssociated Press. Overall, Beasley is the fifth player in school history to earn recognition to any of organization's three All-America teams. Beasley was one of 24 finalists for the John R. Wooden Player of the Year award and was selected by voters to the 10-member 2008 John R. Wooden Award All American team. He followedKevin Durant as the second consecutive standout freshman to win bothBig 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year accolades.[21]
Beasley became the fourth player in school history to be honored as the conference's Player of the Year and the first since the inception of the Big 12. He was the first player to be named league Freshman of the Year and the 12th overall to be selected as either Freshman or Newcomer of the Year since 1970.
Beasley was named National Freshman of the Year byCBS Sports.com, Rivals.com,The Sporting News, and theU.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).[22] He has also been selected a first team All-American by numerous outlets, including CBS Sports.com,Dick Vitale,ESPN.com, Rivals.com,Sports Illustrated,The Sporting News and U.S. Basketball Writers Association. In addition, he was chosen as a first team Freshman All-American by CBS Sports.com and Rivals.com.[1]
In addition, he was named one of four finalists for the 2008 Naismith Player of the Year Award. He also was one of 10 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year award.
On June 26, 2008, Beasley was selected 2nd overall in the2008 NBA draft by theMiami Heat.[12] He signed with the Heat on July 2.[23]
In hisNBA Summer League debut on July 7, Beasley scored 28 points and grabbed 9 rebounds (and had 2 assists[24]) in 23 minutes played.[25][26] He was second in the league in rebound average, and tied for third in scoring average in the 2008 Summer League.[5] During his first official practice with the Heat, he was accidentally hit in the chest with an unidentified teammate's elbow.[27] He was evaluated and returned to the team a day later with chest bruising, but only participated in non-contact play.[28] He had slightly cracked hissternum, and resumed contact drills 2 days after that.[29]
In his first preseason game, Beasley scored 16 points against theDetroit Pistons.[30] He followed those performances with 21 points and 7 rebounds,[31] 12 points and 11 rebounds,[32] 14 points and 6 rebounds,[33] 19 points and no rebounds,[34] 14 points and 3 rebounds,[35] and 19 points and 9 rebounds.[36] On opening night of the2008–09 regular season, Beasley scored 9 points in a loss against theNew York Knicks. He posted double-digit point totals for the next nine straight games, including a season-high 25 points in a loss toCharlotte on November 1.[37]
Offensively, I've been a big believer in him, I just think he can score. I said it two years ago: I think one day he may lead the league in scoring. He has aCarmelo Anthony ability to score the ball. He's a matchup problem every night, He has quickness and a shot at that size. That makes him tough to guard.
After the Heat's first round exit from the 2009 playoffs, it was reported that Beasley, along with fellow rookie Mario Chalmers, had been fined multiple times throughout the season for violations of team policy.[39]
During the2009–10 season, he was a starter for the entire season. On February 19, 2010, he led the Heat to victory over theMemphis Grizzlies with a then career-high 30 points along with 8 rebounds.[40] For the season, he averaged 14.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. In the Heat'sfirst-round playoff series loss to Boston, those averages declined to 10.4 and 5.8, respectively.[41]
On July 12, 2010, Beasley was traded to theMinnesota Timberwolves in exchange for 2011 and 2014 second-round draft picks. Beasley was traded in order to clearsalary cap space for Miami, allowing them to sign free agentsLeBron James andChris Bosh, as well as re-signDwyane Wade.[42]
On November 10, 2010, he led the Timberwolves to victory over theSacramento Kings with a career-high 42 points along with 9 rebounds.[43] He finished the season averaging 19.2 points per game which was ranked top 20 in the league.[44] In the 2011–12 season, Beasley sprained his foot against theCleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2012, which kept him out for 11 straight games. Shortly after he returned from injury, he led the Timberwolves to victory over theHouston Rockets with 34 points.[45] Over the 2011–12 season, he averaged 11.5 points per game.
On July 20, 2012, Beasley signed a three-year, $18 million contract with thePhoenix Suns.[46] Around this time, he decided to train with former two-time NBA champion point guardNorm Nixon in order to improve his game. In a November 7, 2012, game against theCharlotte Bobcats, Beasley scored 21 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and had 7 assists to help the Suns win 117–110. On January 30, 2013, Beasley scored a season-high 27 points with 6 rebounds and 5 steals off the bench to lead the Suns to a 92–86 victory against theLos Angeles Lakers.[47]
On September 3, 2013, Beasley was waived by the Suns.[48] The decision came shortly after Beasley had been arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession.Lon Babby, the Suns' president of basketball operations, said, "We worked hard to devote ourselves to Michael's success, but we have to maintain the standards to build a championship culture."[49]
On September 11, 2013, Beasley signed with theMiami Heat.[50] The Heat made it to theNBA Finals for the fourth straight time in2014, with Beasley making his first Finals appearance in Game 5 of their series against the San Antonio Spurs. The Heat lost Game 5 and the series, as the Spurs won 4–1.
On September 25, 2014, Beasley signed a non-guaranteed contract with theMemphis Grizzlies.[51] However, he was later waived by the Grizzlies on October 9.[52] That same day, he signed a one-year deal with theShanghai Sharks of theChinese Basketball Association.[53] During the 2015 CBA All-Star Game, Beasley came off the bench to score 59 points, setting a CBA record for most points in the league's All-Star Game.[54]
Despite averaging 28.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 37 games, Beasley could not lead the Sharks to the CBA playoffs as they finished 12th with a 17–21 record.[55]
On February 26, 2015, Beasley signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.[56] The next day, he made his return for the Heat, scoring seven points in a 104–102 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[57] He then signed a second 10-day contract with the Heat on March 8,[58] and for the rest of the season on March 18.[59]
On June 28, 2015, the Heat declined to pick up their $1.3 million team option on Beasley's 2015–16 contract, making him a free agent.[60]
On September 30, 2015, Beasley signed with theShandong Golden Stars for the2015–16 CBA season, returning to China for a second stint.[61] He scored 48 points in the team's season opener on November 1,[62] and bested that mark with 49 points ten days later.[63] On January 17, 2016, he won the CBA All-Star Game MVP award for the second straight year after recording 63 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists for the South team.[64][65] Shandong qualified for the 2016 playoffs, but were defeated 3–0 by theGuangdong Southern Tigers in the first round. In 40 games for Shandong, Beasley averaged 31.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He was subsequently namedthe league's Foreign MVP for the 2015–16 season.[66][67]
On March 4, 2016, Beasley signed with theHouston Rockets.[68] In his third game for the Rockets on March 11, he recorded 18 points and 8 rebounds in just under 15 minutes off the bench in a 102–98 win over theBoston Celtics.[69] On March 19, he recorded a season-high 30 points and 9 rebounds in a 109–97 loss to theAtlanta Hawks.[70] On March 31, he recorded his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds in a 103–100 loss to theChicago Bulls.[71] Beasley helped the Rockets finish the regular season as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record. Down 2–0 to the first-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, Beasley scored 12 points in a 97–96 Game 3 win in Houston; he gave Houston a 95–94 lead with two free throws with 41 seconds left.[72]
On September 22, 2016, Beasley was traded to theMilwaukee Bucks in exchange forTyler Ennis.[73] On November 12, 2016, he scored a season-high 19 points in a 106–96 win over theMemphis Grizzlies.[74] He missed five games in December with a foot injury.[75] On January 10, 2017, he set a new season high with 28 points in a 109–107 win over theSan Antonio Spurs.[76] On March 31, 2017, he returned after missing 17 games with a hyperextended left knee, scoring seven points in eight minutes in a 108–105 win over theDetroit Pistons.[77]
On August 8, 2017, Beasley signed with theNew York Knicks.[78] On November 25, 2017, he had a season-high 30 points starting in place of the injuredKristaps Porziņģis in a 117–102 loss to theHouston Rockets.[79] On December 16, 2017, once again starting in place of Porziņģis, Beasley tied his season high with 30 points in a 111–96 win over theOklahoma City Thunder.[80] On December 21, 2017, he scored 28 of his season-high 32 points in the second half of the Knicks' 102–93 win over theBoston Celtics.[81] He also had 12 rebounds against the Celtics. Beasley became the first NBA player since starts were recorded in the 1970–71 season to come off the bench and have at least 32 points and 12 rebounds while playing 25 minutes or fewer. He also became the first Knicks sub ever with a 32–12 game.[81] On January 10, 2018, he recorded 26 points and 12 rebounds off the bench in a 122–119 double overtime loss to theChicago Bulls.[82] On March 31, 2018, he had a 32-point effort in a 115–109 loss to theDetroit Pistons.[83]
On July 23, 2018, Beasley signed with theLos Angeles Lakers.[84] He missed much of the first half of the season to be with his sick mother.[85]
On February 7, 2019, Beasley andIvica Zubac were traded to theLos Angeles Clippers in exchange forMike Muscala.[86] He was waived by the Clippers two days later.[87]
On February 20, 2019, Beasley signed with theGuangdong Southern Tigers.[88][89]
On July 9, 2020, theBrooklyn Nets announced that they had signed Beasley as substitute player for the remainder of the2019–20 season.[90] However, his contract was voided when he tested positive forCOVID-19.[91]
Beasley joined thePortland Trail Blazers for the2021 NBA Summer League.[92] On October 5, he signed withCangrejeros de Santurce of theBaloncesto Superior Nacional.[93]
In October 2022, Beasley had a four-game stint with theShanghai Sharks in China.[94]
| 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 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Miami | 81 | 19 | 24.8 | .472 | .407 | .772 | 5.4 | 1.0 | .5 | .5 | 13.9 |
| 2009–10 | Miami | 78 | 78 | 29.8 | .450 | .275 | .800 | 6.4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .6 | 14.8 |
| 2010–11 | Minnesota | 73 | 73 | 32.3 | .450 | .366 | .753 | 5.6 | 2.2 | .7 | .7 | 19.2 |
| 2011–12 | Minnesota | 47 | 7 | 23.1 | .445 | .376 | .642 | 4.4 | 1.0 | .4 | .4 | 11.5 |
| 2012–13 | Phoenix | 75 | 20 | 20.7 | .405 | .313 | .746 | 3.8 | 1.5 | .4 | .5 | 10.1 |
| 2013–14 | Miami | 55 | 2 | 15.1 | .499 | .389 | .772 | 3.1 | .7 | .4 | .4 | 7.9 |
| 2014–15 | Miami | 24 | 1 | 21.0 | .434 | .235 | .769 | 3.7 | 1.3 | .6 | .5 | 8.8 |
| 2015–16 | Houston | 20 | 0 | 18.2 | .522 | .333 | .776 | 4.9 | .8 | .6 | .5 | 12.8 |
| 2016–17 | Milwaukee | 56 | 6 | 16.7 | .533 | .419 | .743 | 3.4 | .9 | .5 | .5 | 9.4 |
| 2017–18 | New York | 74 | 30 | 22.3 | .507 | .395 | .780 | 5.6 | 1.7 | .5 | .6 | 13.2 |
| 2018–19 | L.A. Lakers | 26 | 2 | 10.7 | .490 | .176 | .718 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .3 | .4 | 7.0 |
| Career | 609 | 238 | 22.8 | .465 | .349 | .759 | 4.7 | 1.3 | .6 | .5 | 12.4 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Miami | 7 | 0 | 25.4 | .386 | .308 | .765 | 7.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 1.0 | 12.1 |
| 2010 | Miami | 5 | 5 | 27.0 | .449 | .500 | .778 | 5.8 | .6 | .8 | .0 | 10.4 |
| 2014 | Miami | 4 | 0 | 5.8 | .500 | .000 | .333 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 2.8 |
| 2016 | Houston | 5 | 0 | 16.0 | .478 | .333 | .857 | 4.2 | .6 | .2 | .0 | 10.4 |
| 2017 | Milwaukee | 4 | 0 | 12.0 | .350 | .600 | .000 | 2.3 | .3 | .3 | .3 | 4.3 |
| Career | 25 | 5 | 18.6 | .423 | .385 | .675 | 4.6 | .6 | .3 | .3 | 8.7 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Kansas State | 33 | 33 | 31.5 | .532 | .379 | .774 | 12.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 26.2 |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Shanghai | 37 | 30 | 38.1 | .513 | .354 | .756 | 10.4 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 28.7 |
| 2015–16 | Shandong | 40 | 24 | 36.5 | .541 | .371 | .779 | 13.2 | 3.8 | 2 | 1.3 | 31.9 |
| 2018–19 | Guangdong | 5 | 5 | 33.0 | .500 | .333 | .645 | 9.8 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 22.4 |
Beasley's parents are Fatima Smith and Michael Beasley Sr.[95] Beasley's mother died of cancer in December 2018.[85][96] He has two brothers, Leroy Ellison and Malik Smith, and two younger sisters, Mychaela Beasley and Tiffany Couch. He has a daughter Mikaiya, born in May 2009[97] and a son Michael III, born in November 2010.[98] As of 2024 he has five more girls and two more boys.[99] Beasley grew up withKevin Durant andNolan Smith, and remains friends with both players.[100][101]
On September 3, 2008, at the NBA's Rookie Transition Program, Beasley was involved in an incident along with fellow rookiesMario Chalmers andDarrell Arthur. Police responded to the hotel room of Chalmers and Arthur following afire alarm at 2 am and claimed that the room smelled strongly of burningmarijuana, but none was found and no charges were filed. Chalmers and Arthur were excused from the camp[102] because of the incident and were later fined $20,000 each for missing the rookie camp, but were not fined or suspended for any drug-related violations. Both later denied any involvement with marijuana.[103] Originally,ESPN reported that Beasley was also present in the room,[104] but was not asked to leave camp. The story was later updated and any mention of Beasley was removed from the article.[105][106]
On September 18, 2008, Beasley was fined $50,000 by the league for his involvement in the incident after he confessed to league officials that he had slipped out the door when the police arrived.[107][108][109]
On August 24, 2009, Beasley reportedly checked into aHouston rehab center, just days after he posted pictures of himself on Twitter with what some have speculated to be marijuana in the background.[109] It is unknown if the rehab was drug related; officially he was receiving counseling for stress-related issues.[110]
On June 26, 2011, Beasley was driving in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka when he was pulled over by a policeman for speeding. The policeman noticed that the car smelled of a strong odor of marijuana. The officer allegedly found marijuana in a plastic bag under the front passenger seat. However, Beasley said the marijuana was not his, but belonged to a friend whom he had just dropped off. Beasley was consequently fined and ticketed.[111]
In August 2011, Beasley was on astreetball tour in New York City with All-Star forwardKevin Durant when he got into an altercation with a heckler, shoving a hand in the heckler's face.[112]
On August 6, 2013, Beasley was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession inScottsdale, Arizona. According to police reports, narcotics were confiscated from Beasley's car after he was stopped for a traffic violation.[113] That arrest was a factor in Beasley's official removal from the Suns a month later.[114]
In September 2014, a sexual assault case from January 2013 involving Beasley was dropped after no probable cause was established.[115]
On August 8, 2019, he was suspended five games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.[116]
On February 9, 2025, Beasley was arrested by the Riley County Police Department for attempting to board an airplane atManhattan Regional Airport with six grams of marijuana. He was released later that day on a $750 bond.[117][118]
The former Knicks forward has been away frequently during his first season with the Lakers to be with his mother, who died of cancer last month.
Michael Beasley missed his 13th consecutive game for personal reasons. His mother died last month.
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