Malik Benlevi

Malik Benlevi
No. 7 – Earthfriends Tokyo Z
PositionSmall forward
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (1997-03-20) March 20, 1997 (age 27)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolJenkins (Savannah, Georgia)
CollegeGeorgia State (2015–2019)
NBA draft2019: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019Ostioneros de Guaymas
2019–2021Salt Lake City Stars
2021–2022Iowa Wolves
2022–2023Saskatchewan Rattlers
2022–2023BC Nokia
2024Wellington Saints
2024–presentEarthfriends Tokyo Z
Career highlights and awards

Malik Ammon Benlevi (born March 20, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Earthfriends Tokyo Z of the B.League. He played college basketball player for the Georgia State Panthers.

High school career

Benlevi attended Jenkins High School in Savannah, Georgia. He averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists per game as a junior. Benlevi led the team to a Region 3-AAAAA title and to the Class AAAAA Final Four, and was an All-Savannah Morning News first-team selection.[1] As a senior, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, earning Region 1-AAA Player of the Year as well as all-state first-team honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Benlevi led Jenkins to its first state championship, scoring 12 points in the title game against Morgan County High School.[2] He committed to play college basketball at Georgia State over offers from South Carolina State and Kennesaw State.[3]

College career

Benlevi rarely played as a freshman, but averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[4] As a junior, he averaged 9.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.[5] During his senior season, Benlevi frequently played center due to injuries to the team's big men.[2] In the championship game of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, he scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 73–64 win against UT Arlington, and he was named Most Outstanding Player.[6] Benlevi averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.[7]

Professional career

Ostioneros de Guaymas (2019)

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Benlevi signed his first professional contract with Ostioneros de Guaymas of the Mexican Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico. He averaged 11.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[8]

Salt Lake City Stars (2019–2021)

In October 2019, Benlevi joined the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League.[3] During the 2019–20 season, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 18.5 minutes in 37 games.[8] During the G League hub season between February and March 2021, he averaged 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 19.7 minutes in 11 games.[8]

Iowa Wolves (2021–2022)

After initially signing with Grindavík of the Icelandic league,[9] Benlevi joined the Iowa Wolves for the 2021–22 NBA G League season.[10] He was waived on February 28, 2022,[11] and then reacquired by the team on March 10.[11] He averaged 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 16.1 minutes in 27 games while setting his career-high at 5 blocks per game.[8]

Saskatchewan Rattlers and BC Nokia (2022–2023)

On April 12, 2022, Benlevi signed with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the CEBL.[8]

For the 2022–23 season, Benlevi played for BC Nokia in Finland.[12] He then returned to the Rattlers for the 2023 CEBL season.[12]

Wellington Saints (2024)

On March 22, 2024, Benlevi signed with the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2024 season.[13]

Earthfriends Tokyo Z (2024–present)

On August 5, 2024, Benlevi signed with the Earthfriends Tokyo Z of the B.League.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Jenkins' Benlevi commits to Georgia State". Savannah Morning News. September 1, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Jaudon, Travis (October 12, 2019). "Malik Benlevi inks G League contract". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Freedman, Andrew; Indrisano, Erik (February 2, 2020). ""I knew I was going to Georgia State": 35 minutes with Malik Benlevi". The Signal. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Greg (September 14, 2017). "With D'Marcus Simonds, Georgia State looks like it's headed back to the spotlight". Mid-Major Madness. SB Nation. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  5. ^ Culpepper, Juliakate (October 28, 2018). "Georgia State's Malik Benlevi embracing position change for senior season". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "No. 1 Georgia State Defeats No. 2 UTA in Sun Belt Men's Basketball Championship Final". Sun Belt Conference. March 17, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "A Closer Look at the Midwest Region". KY Insider. March 19, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Rattlers Add Malik Benlevi of NBA G League to Their Roster". CEBL.ca. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  9. ^ "Grindavik inks Malik Benlevi". Eurobasket.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Iowa Wolves Announce Training Camp Roster and Finalize Coaching Staff". OurSportsCentral.com. October 26, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Malik Benlevi". australiabasket.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Mills Albert Saints Secure Versatile Forward Malik Benlevi as Final Import". saints.co.nz. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "マリク・ベンレヴィ選手 契約(新規)基本合意のお知らせ". アースフレンズ東京Z. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.