Malik Monk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Malik Monk

Monk with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022
No. 0 – Sacramento Kings
Shooting guard / point guard
Personal information
Born	(1998-02-04) February 4, 1998 (age 27) Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S.
High school	East Poinsett (Lepanto, Arkansas) Bentonville (Bentonville, Arkansas)
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
College	Kentucky (2016–2017)
NBA Draft	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets
Pro career	2017–present
League	NBA
Career history
2017–2021	Charlotte Hornets
2017	→ Greensboro Swarm
2021–2022	Los Angeles Lakers
2022–present	Sacramento Kings
Career highlights and awards
Consensus second-team All-American (2017) Jerry West Award (2017) SEC Player of the Year – AP (2017) First-team All-SEC (2017) SEC Freshman of The Year (2017) SEC All-Freshman Team (2017) McDonald's All-American (2016) Mr. Basketball of Arkansas (2016)

Malik Ahmad Monk (born February 4, 1998) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. In 2017, he was recognized as a second-team All-American. The Charlotte Hornets picked Monk as the 11th overall player in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft. He has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Monk dunking the basketball at the 2016 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

Malik Monk started his high school basketball journey at East Poinsett County High School in Lepanto, Arkansas. In his first year, he was amazing, averaging 22.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He helped his team achieve a 25–8 record and reach the Class 2A state championship game.

After his freshman year, Monk moved to Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas. During his junior year, he averaged 26.9 points per game. In 2015, he played for the Arkansas Wings Elite, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team. He averaged 19.7 points per game in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.

Monk also played in the 2015 Nike Global Challenge for the East team. He averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. He even won the tournament's MVP award! On November 18, 2015, Monk decided to play college basketball for Kentucky. He chose them over Arkansas.

In his senior year, he averaged 28.6 points per game, 4.4 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game. In January 2016, Monk played in two big games: the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. He was named Co-MVP in the Jordan Brand Classic, sharing the award with his future Kentucky teammate, De'Aaron Fox.

Many experts considered Monk one of the best high school players in the 2016 class. He was ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit and the No. 1 shooting guard.

College Career at Kentucky

Monk playing in Kentucky's 2016 Blue-White scrimmage

Malik Monk officially joined the University of Kentucky basketball team. On December 17, 2016, he set a new scoring record for a Kentucky freshman. He scored an amazing 47 points in a game against North Carolina.

Just twelve days later, he scored 34 points, making 5 of 7 three-point shots, in a big win against Ole Miss. Monk continued to have impressive games throughout the season. He scored 27 points against South Carolina on January 21, 2017. He also scored 37 points against Georgia on January 31, 2017.

Later in the season, he scored 33 points in a victory over Florida on February 25, 2017. On February 28, 2017, he scored 27 points against Vanderbilt.

At the end of his first year, Monk received many awards. He was named the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year. He was also selected for the First-team All-SEC and the SEC All-Freshman team. After his successful freshman season, Monk decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft. He was expected to be a top pick. He announced his decision, saying he had thought about it with his family and was ready for the next step.

Professional Basketball Career

Charlotte Hornets (2017–2021)

Monk playing for the Hornets in 2018

On June 22, 2017, the Charlotte Hornets chose Malik Monk as the eleventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He signed his first professional contract with the Hornets on July 2, 2017. Monk missed the 2017 NBA Summer League because of an ankle injury.

In his fourth NBA game on October 25, 2017, Monk scored 17 points, had two steals, and two assists in a win against the Denver Nuggets. On November 1, 2017, he scored 25 points in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

During his first year, Monk also played one game for the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets' team in the NBA G League. In that game on December 26, 2017, he scored 25 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and made four assists. On February 1, 2021, Monk scored a career-high 36 points in an overtime win against the Heat.

Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Monk joined the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed a contract that allowed him to play for the team. On April 10, 2022, Monk scored a new career-high of 41 points in a game where the Lakers won against the Denver Nuggets.

Sacramento Kings (2022–Present)

On July 6, 2022, Monk signed a two-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. This move reunited him with his former college teammate, De'Aaron Fox. On February 24, 2023, Monk set another career-high, scoring 45 points in an exciting double-overtime win against the Los Angeles Clippers. This game was the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history.

In the first game of the Kings' playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Monk scored 32 points. He made all 14 of his free throws, which tied a record for the most free throws made without a miss in a playoff debut. On July 6, 2024, Monk re-signed with the Kings, agreeing to a four-year contract.

Career Statistics

Here are Malik Monk's basketball statistics from his time in the NBA and college.

NBA Regular Season

NBA Playoffs

College Statistics

Personal Life

Malik Monk was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. His parents are Jackie Monk and Michael Scales. He has an older brother, Marcus Monk, who was a successful wide receiver in college for Arkansas.

See also

In Spanish: Malik Monk para niños