Malik Sealy facts for kids
Sealy while playing for St. John's
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1, 1970 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | May 20, 2000 (aged 30) St. Louis Park, Minnesota, U.S. |
| High school | Tolentine (Bronx, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | St. John's (1988–1992) |
| NBA Draft | 1992 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall |
| Selected by the Indiana Pacers | |
| Pro career | 1992–2000 |
| Career history | |
| 1992–1994 | Indiana Pacers |
| 1994–1997 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 1997–1998 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1998–2000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 4,955 (10.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,585 (3.2 rpg) |
| Steals | 518 (1.1 spg) |
Malik Sealy (born February 1, 1970 – died May 20, 2000) was an American professional basketball player. He played for eight seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Malik Sealy was known for his exciting plays and was a beloved teammate.
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Malik Sealy's Early Life and School Years
Malik Sealy grew up in The Bronx, New York. His father was a bodyguard for the famous social activist Malcolm X. Malik was even named after Malcolm X, whose full name was Malik Shabazz.
During his senior year at Tolentine High School, Malik was a star basketball player. His team had an amazing record of 30 wins and only 1 loss. They even won the state championship!
College Basketball Career
Malik Sealy played college basketball at St. John's University. He was an incredible scorer during his time there. By the end of his college career, he had scored 2,401 points. This made him the second-highest scorer in St. John's history!
Professional Basketball Career
Joining the NBA
Malik Sealy was chosen by the Indiana Pacers in the 1992 NBA draft. He was the 14th player picked overall. This was a huge step for him to play in the National Basketball Association.
Playing in the NBA
Over his NBA career, Malik Sealy played for several teams. He was with the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 10.1 points per game during his time in the league.
Malik was known for making exciting plays. For example, in 1999, he made a game-winning shot right at the buzzer against the Orlando Magic. This gave the Timberwolves a close 107–105 win. He also hit another game-winning shot in 2000 against his former team, the Indiana Pacers. That shot was a three-pointer that bounced off the backboard and went in as time ran out, winning the game 101–100!
Acting and Other Interests
Besides basketball, Malik Sealy was also interested in acting. He had a big role in the 1996 movie Eddie, starring Whoopi Goldberg. In the movie, he played a talented basketball player named Stacey Patton.
Malik also appeared on TV shows like The Sentinel and Diagnosis: Murder. He was also a creative person who designed ties and clothing. He even owned his own company called "Malik Sealy XXI, Inc."
A Tragic Loss
Malik Sealy's life ended too soon on May 20, 2000, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was driving home after celebrating his teammate and best friend Kevin Garnett's birthday. His vehicle was hit by another truck that was driving the wrong way on the highway.
Malik Sealy was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
Malik Sealy's Lasting Legacy
Malik Sealy left a big mark on the basketball world, especially with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Jersey Retirement: The Minnesota Timberwolves honored Malik by retiring his jersey number, #2. This means no other player on the team will ever wear that number again.
- Kevin Garnett's Tributes: His best friend, Kevin Garnett, often paid tribute to Malik. Kevin wrote "2MALIK" inside his Adidas basketball shoes. He also has a tattoo on his arm to remember Malik. When Kevin Garnett was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013, he chose to wear jersey number 2 in honor of Malik. Later, when he returned to Minnesota in 2015, he wore a #2 sweatband on his arm.
Malik Sealy is remembered as a talented player and a great friend.
Images for kids
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Sealy while playing for St. John's
See also
- List of basketball players who died during their careers
