Malik Dia

Malik Dia
No. 8 – New Orleans Pelicans
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2004-02-04) February 4, 2004 (age 22)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight
256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High schoolThe Ensworth School
(Nashville, Tennessee)
College
2026: undrafted
Playing career
2026–present
Career history
2026–presentNew Orleans Pelicans
2026–present→Laketown Squadron
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

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

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.

College career

In 2022–23, Dia played 20 games for the Commodores where he averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Dia transferred to play for the Belmont Bruins. 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. After the season, Dia once again entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

Dia transferred to play for the Ole Miss Rebels. On January 8, 2025, he recorded 21 points and eight rebounds in a victory over Arkansas. On January 11, Dia tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and an assist in a win over LSU. On January 14, he totaled 23 points and 19 rebounds in an upset win over Alabama. On February 12, Dia scored 12 straight points for the Rebels as he helped Ole Miss to a comeback win over South Carolina. On February 22, he tallied 22 points in a loss to Vanderbilt.

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA draft, Dia signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2026 NBA Summer League. On August 18, 2026, Dia signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans, splitting time with their NBA G League affiliate, the Laketown Squadron.

References

  1. ↑ Spears, Joseph (September 5, 2021). "Ensworth power forward Malik Dia commits to Vanderbilt basketball". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Eckert, David (April 15, 2024). "Belmont transfer Malik Dia commits to Ole Miss basketball, Chris Beard". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  3. ↑ Organ, Mike (April 3, 2024). "Vanderbilt basketball forward/center Malik Dia transferring to Belmont, which needs post players". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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)
  6. ↑ Traux, Barkley (March 19, 2024). "Belmont forward Malik Dia enters NCAA transfer portal". On3.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  7. ↑ Hutchens, Sam. "How Chris Beard, Malik Dia grew together in Ole Miss basketball's win at Arkansas". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kuhl, Billy (January 12, 2025). "Malik Dia Shines Again in Ole Miss Basketball's Win Over LSU". SI.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  9. ↑ Cleveland, Rick. "Malik Dia's emergence has lifted Ole Miss into the national spotlight". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "Pelicans announce 2026 Summer League roster presented by Mike's Amazing". NBA.com. July 6, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ "New Orleans Pelicans sign Malik Dia to two-way contract". NBA.com. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.