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As a rookie, Malik Beasley split the 2016-17 season between the NBA and the G League with playing time at a premium with the Denver Nuggets at the time.
In addition, Beasley was also recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right leg. Beasley made 22 appearances with the Nuggets that season, averaging 3.8 points per game. However, he averaged 18.9 points in 16 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The experience that year helped Beasley prepare for playing in the NBA. He recently spoke about his time in the G League in a Q&A on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
“I think my rookie year allowed me to fully recover from my injury and it allowed me to get used to the game speed of professional athletes,” Beasley said. “It allowed me to get reps in and improve on my injury, allow me to get better and get ready for the NBA.”
Q: How did playing in the G League your rookie year help you fully recover from injury and get you ready for the NBA?#NBATogether
– @nbagleagueA: 🔊 @Mbeasy5 pic.twitter.com/am3QHRAoFN
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2020
Players have often credited the G League with preparing them for the next level. Some have used that opportunity to lock down a full-time role in the NBA as the G League continues to improve its talent pool of available players.
Of course, Beasley was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the NBA trade deadline and played perhaps the best basketball of his career prior to the season suspension. In 14 games with the Timberwolves, Beasley is averaging 20.7 points and five rebounds per game.
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