Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley had an eventful rookie campaign in 2016-17. The 20-year-old got his fair share of frequent flyer miles, making multiple trips to the Sioux Falls to play for the Skyforce of the NBADL and back. Still, the 20-year-old, wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
“It was all a great journey and a great process. There were some up and downs, but that’s what makes it so great,” Beasley told Sean Walsh and T.J. McBride on Mile High Sports Radio. “This whole journey is just amazing. I’m blessed. I’m only 20 years old. I’ve got a lot to learn and I’m ready for more.”
Not only is Beasley ready to take on more as an individual. He knows that the Nuggets are capable of more as well.
“It’s hard to watch the playoffs not being there, and knowing how good we can be,” he said, adding later. “I know for sure if we would have ended the right games or played a little harder we could have ended up with a few more [wins].”
The Nuggets finished 40-42, just missing the playoffs; which marked quite the improvement over previous campaigns. After the season ended, Beasley said he took “three or four” days off, before getting back in the gym, his sights set on 2017-18.
Though he is training, Beasley did take the time to participate in the UCHealth Healthy Swings Home Run Derby at Coors Field on Wednesday. Pitted against current and former area athletes from an array of sports (including baseball), Beasley won the event.
“I’ve only got a little baseball experience,” he said. “I was going against guys who played professionally. Just to be able to have an opportunity was pretty awesome.”
Beasley won with accuracy, not the long ball. Instead of hitting home runs, he was able to hit targets positioned on the field.
“I didn’t hit any home runs out, to be honest…but home runs were only worth $500. I was going for home runs, but I couldn’t reach there. I hit two of the targets that were worth $1,500 and the other one was worth like $2,500.”
The event benefitted the National Stroke Association, raising $36,500. In addition to swinging a bat for charity, Beasley actually has a foundation of his own.
“I have a foundation that’s called the MB25 Foundation,” he said. “Right now, We’re working on charity events around the community. We want to help the homeless around here. When I came here, I noticed there were a lot of them around downtown. I want to help them, give away tickets to Nuggets games or Rockies games, just help out the community in general.”
Listen to the full interview with Malik Beasley, including an update on Jamaal Murray, in the podcast below.
Sorry – this audio content is no longer available.
Catch Walsh and TJ every weekday from 2p-4p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
