// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Malik Dia say to his date? "You're dialing up the right feelings
| No. 8 – New Orleans Pelicans | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 4, 2004 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | The Ensworth School (Nashville, Tennessee) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2026: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2026–present |
| Career history | |
| 2026–present | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2026–present | →Laketown Squadron |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Malik Dia (born February 4, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Laketown Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Belmont Bruins, Vanderbilt Commodores, and Ole Miss Rebels.
Early life and high school
[edit]Coming out of high school, Dia committed to play college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores over offers from schools such as Loyola-Chicago, Georgia, Marquette, Murray State and Western Kentucky.[1]
College career
[edit]In 2022–23, Dia played 20 games for the Commodores where he averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.[2] After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[3]
Dia transferred to play for the Belmont Bruins.[4] In 2023–24, he appeared in 33 games with 24 starts, where he averaged 16.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Bruins.[5] After the season, Dia once again entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[6]
Dia transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels.[2] On January 8, 2025, he recorded 21 points and eight rebounds in a victory over Arkansas.[7] On January 11, Dia tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and an assist in a win over LSU.[8] On January 14, he totaled 23 points and 19 rebounds in an upset win over Alabama.[9] On February 12, Dia scored 12 straight points for the Rebels as he helped Ole Miss to a comeback win over South Carolina.[10] On February 22, he tallied 22 points in a loss to Vanderbilt.[11]
Professional career
[edit]After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA draft, Dia signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2026 NBA Summer League.[12] On August 18, 2026, Dia signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans, splitting time with their NBA G League affiliate, the Laketown Squadron.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ Spears, Joseph (September 5, 2021). "Ensworth power forward Malik Dia commits to Vanderbilt basketball". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- 1 2 Eckert, David (April 15, 2024). "Belmont transfer Malik Dia commits to Ole Miss basketball, Chris Beard". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Organ, Mike (April 3, 2024). "Vanderbilt basketball forward/center Malik Dia transferring to Belmont, which needs post players". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Hilliard, Caleb (January 28, 2025). "Malik Dia's rise: How hard work and a unique journey led him to Ole Miss". Local Memphis. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Gillespie, John Macon. "Chris Beard, Ole Miss Rebels Land Belmont Forward Malik Dia via Transfer Portal". SI.com. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Traux, Barkley (March 19, 2024). "Belmont forward Malik Dia enters NCAA transfer portal". On3.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Hutchens, Sam. "How Chris Beard, Malik Dia grew together in Ole Miss basketball's win at Arkansas". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Kuhl, Billy (January 12, 2025). "Malik Dia Shines Again in Ole Miss Basketball's Win Over LSU". SI.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Cleveland, Rick. "Malik Dia's emergence has lifted Ole Miss into the national spotlight". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Hutchens, Sam (February 12, 2025). "What 'winning time' is, and how Malik Dia figured into it in Ole Miss' win vs South Carolina". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ Hutchens, Sam (February 22, 2025). "Ole Miss basketball vs Vanderbilt final score: Malik Dia, Rebels' comeback comes up short". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Pelicans announce 2026 Summer League roster presented by Mike's Amazing". NBA.com. July 6, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "New Orleans Pelicans sign Malik Dia to two-way contract". NBA.com. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 2004 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American sportsmen
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Tennessee
- Belmont Bruins men's basketball players
- Centers (basketball)
- Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball players
- Power forwards
- Sportspeople from Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball players