Michael Beasley facts for kids

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Michael Beasley

Beasley with the New York Knicks in 2018

Free agent

Power forward / small forward

Personal information

Born

January 9, 1989 (age 36)
Cheverly, Maryland, U.S.

High school

Notre Dame Prep
(Fitchburg, Massachusetts)

Listed height

6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)

Listed weight

235 lb (107 kg)

Career information

College

Kansas State (2007–2008)

NBA Draft

2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall

Selected by the Miami Heat

Pro career

2008–present

Career history

2008–2010

Miami Heat

2010–2012

Minnesota Timberwolves

2012–2013

Phoenix Suns

2013–2014

Miami Heat

2014–2015

Shanghai Sharks

2015

Miami Heat

2015–2016

Shandong Golden Stars

2016

2016–2017

2017–2018

2018–2019

2019

Guangdong Southern Tigers

2021

Cangrejeros de Santurce

2022

Shanghai Sharks

Career highlights and awards

CBA champion (2019)
CBA Foreign MVP (2016)
2× CBA All-Star (2015, 2016)
2× CBA All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2016)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2009)
Consensus first-team All-American (2008)
Pete Newell Big Man Award (2008)
USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2008)
NCAA rebounding leader (2008)
Big 12 Player of the Year (2008)
First-team All-Big 12 (2008)
McDonald's All-American Game MVP (2007)
Second-team Parade All-American (2006)

Medals

Men's basketball

Representing United States
FIBA U19 World Championship
Silver	2007 Serbia	Team competition
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Gold	2006 San Antonio	Team competition

Michael Paul Beasley Jr. (born January 9, 1989) is an American professional basketball player. He last played for the Shanghai Sharks in China. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for Kansas State University for one year. Beasley was chosen as the 2nd pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. Many people consider him one of the best first-year college basketball players of the 2000s. He can use both hands well, but he shoots the basketball with his left hand.

Early Life and Growing Up

Michael Beasley was born in Cheverly, Maryland. When he was 16, his mother, Fatima Smith, and his four brothers and sisters moved to Frederick, Maryland. They lived there for about a year.

High School Basketball Journey

As a young player, Beasley played for the AAU team called the PG Jaguars. This team was very successful. He won many national championships with future basketball stars like Kevin Durant. Later, he played for another AAU team, DC Assault.

Beasley went to six different high schools during his high school years. These included Bowie High School and Notre Dame Preparatory School. In his freshman year (2003–04), he scored about 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds per game. As a senior (2006–07), he averaged 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. He even scored 64 points in one game and had 31 rebounds in another!

In 2006, Beasley was named a second-team Parade All-American. He also joined the USA Men's U18 National Team. He led his team in points and rebounds at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. He was also chosen for the McDonald's All-American team. In the 2007 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, he was named the MVP. He scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds in that game.

College Basketball Success

Beasley at Kansas State

Beasley started playing for Kansas State in the fall of 2007. During the 2007–2008 season, he was one of the best players in college basketball. He averaged 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. He led the nation in rebounds. He also had 28 double-doubles (scoring double digits in two different stats like points and rebounds). This broke the record for a first-year player.

Beasley set many records at Kansas State and in the Big 12 Conference. He helped the Wildcats achieve a 20–10 record. They had important wins, including a victory against the No. 2 ranked Kansas team. This was the first time Kansas State beat Kansas at home since 1983.

On April 14, 2008, Beasley decided to leave college early to enter the NBA draft.

College Awards and Honors

Beasley received many awards for his amazing college performance.

He was one of only two players in Kansas State history to be named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
He was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Player of the Year award.
He won both Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards.
He was named National Freshman of the Year by several sports news outlets.
He was also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Award.

Professional Basketball Career

Miami Heat (2008–2010)

Beasley during his first time with the Heat

On June 26, 2008, the Miami Heat picked Beasley as the 2nd overall player in the 2008 NBA draft. He signed with the team on July 2. In his first game in the NBA Summer League, he scored 28 points.

In his first regular season game, Beasley scored 9 points. He then scored double-digit points in his next nine games. He had a season-high of 25 points on November 1. During the 2009–10 season, he started every game. On February 19, 2010, he scored a career-high 30 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game that season.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2012)

Beasley with the Timberwolves in 2011

On July 12, 2010, Beasley was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. This trade helped the Heat make room to sign other star players.

On November 10, 2010, Beasley scored a career-high 42 points against the Sacramento Kings. He finished that season averaging 19.2 points per game, which was among the top 20 in the league. In the 2011–12 season, he averaged 11.5 points per game.

Phoenix Suns (2012–2013)

On July 20, 2012, Beasley signed a three-year contract with the Phoenix Suns. On November 7, 2012, he scored 21 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and had 7 assists in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. On January 30, 2013, he scored a season-high 27 points coming off the bench.

Return to Miami (2013–2014)

Beasley playing for the Heat again in 2014.

On September 11, 2013, Beasley signed with the Miami Heat again. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2014. This was Beasley's first time playing in the Finals. The Heat lost the series 4–1.

Playing in China (2014–2016)

Beasley signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on October 9, 2014. During the 2015 CBA All-Star Game, he scored 59 points, setting a new record for the game. He averaged 28.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in 37 games for the Sharks.

On February 26, 2015, Beasley returned to the Miami Heat for a short time. He played for the rest of the 2014–15 season.

On September 30, 2015, Beasley signed with the Shandong Golden Stars in China. He had a great season, scoring 48 points in one game and 49 points in another. On January 17, 2016, he won the CBA All-Star Game MVP award for the second year in a row. He scored 63 points in that game! He was later named the league's Foreign MVP for the 2015–16 season.

Houston Rockets (2016)

On March 4, 2016, Beasley signed with the Houston Rockets. He scored 18 points and had 8 rebounds in one game. On March 19, he scored a season-high 30 points. He helped the Rockets reach the playoffs.

Milwaukee Bucks (2016–2017)

On September 22, 2016, Beasley was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. On November 12, 2016, he scored 19 points. On January 10, 2017, he set a new season high with 28 points.

New York Knicks (2017–2018)

On August 8, 2017, Beasley signed with the New York Knicks. He had several strong games, including scoring 30 points on November 25 and December 16. On December 21, 2017, he scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He was the first player in NBA history to have at least 32 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes or less while coming off the bench.

Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2019)

On July 23, 2018, Beasley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed part of the season to be with his mother, who was ill.

On February 7, 2019, Beasley was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He was released by the Clippers two days later.

Guangdong Southern Tigers (2019)

On February 20, 2019, Beasley signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China.

Later Career (2021–2022)

In 2021, Beasley joined the Portland Trail Blazers for the NBA Summer League. He then signed with Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico. In October 2022, he had a short time playing for the Shanghai Sharks again in China.

Career Statistics

NBA Summary

Michael Beasley played 609 regular season NBA games. He averaged 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 46.5% from the field. In 25 playoff games, he averaged 8.7 points and 4.6 rebounds.

College Summary

In his one college season (2007–08) at Kansas State, Beasley played 33 games. He averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.

CBA Summary

In his time playing in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Beasley played 82 games. He averaged 29.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

Personal Life

Michael Beasley's parents are Fatima Smith and Michael Beasley Sr. His mother passed away in December 2018. He has two brothers, Leroy Ellison and Malik Smith, and two younger sisters, Mychaela Beasley and Tiffany Couch. He has a daughter named Mikaiya, born in May 2009, and a son named Michael III, born in November 2010. As of 2024, he has five more daughters and two more sons. Beasley grew up with fellow basketball players Kevin Durant and Nolan Smith, and they are still friends.