Malik Fitts is a forward that plays for St. Mary’s. Fitts is a redshirt junior who does not intend to return to school and has signed an agent. He has been a key member of the Gaels during his two-year run. Can this mid-major star be successful in the NBA?
Malik Fitts 2020 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Fitts started his career at South Florida, averaging 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. After one season, the California native returned to his home state, transferring to St. Mary’s. He sat out one year and made an immediate impact as soon as he could play for the Gaels. In his first season in Moraga, California, he was a second-team All-WCC member.
This past season, Fitts upped his game even more and was voted to the WCC’s first-team. He started all but one game in his time at St. Mary’s. He was used on 25 percent of possessions while he was on the court, proving his durability and importance in the flow of the offense. He averaged 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in his two seasons at St. Mary’s.
Fitts played against top competition a little more than most mid-major guys. He averaged 15.9 points per game in eight games against power conference teams. He also averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game in six career games against Gonzaga. Fitts proved he can hang with the big boys.
Strengths
Fitts knows how to use his body in the paint. The 6’8 forward comes in at 230 pounds and can throw his body around. He puts himself in strong positions to score or rebound on any given possession. That kind of body control should allow him to maneuver against fellow bigs in the NBA.
Fitts is an outstanding free-throw shooter for a big man. His career percentage is 74.5 percent. However, he was a 78.6 percent free-throw shooter while at St. Mary’s. This gives Fitts the freedom to be aggressive while knowing he can still get his points at the free-throw line if he is fouled.
Finally, Fitts rounds out his game by having a three-point stroke. He shot 40.7 percent from behind the arc as a member of the Gaels. He averaged 4.4 attempts per game, showing that he was not afraid to let it fly when needed. Having a balanced inside-out game can present Fitts with more opportunities to score in the NBA.
Weaknesses
Fitts needs to continue to work on his footwork to speed up his game. He can get beat off of the first step. He will need to improve his quickness in order to be a better defender in the NBA. The game at the next level involves defending players at every position.
While Fitts does well with his own scoring opportunities, he is not the best at always getting his teammates involved. Assists are not the highest item on the list for big men, but they do need to have court vision. Fitts needs to work on keeping his head up when working in the paint and looking for opportunities to kick it out if there is nothing there on his end.
Fitts also needs to improve his offensive efficiency. His 45.8 percent career field goal percentage is a bit low for a man of his size. Most of his shots should be ending close to the rim, even with having a three-point shot. Fitts should continue to develop his soft touch at the rim and make sure more of those shots are falling.
NBA Player Comparison
P.J. Washington. Fitts is similar to the Charlotte Hornets big man in that they both can work inside and outside of the paint. Washington has no problem working down low while stepping out and hitting a three when needed. Fitts can grow into a similar role and be a serviceable wing/forward at the next level.
NBA Draft Projection
Second Round.
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