Detroit Pistons newcomer Malik Beasley leads by example, volunteers for youth camp

Malik Beasley led a youth basketball camp at Hillside Middle School in Northville, roughly 30 miles west of Detroit, on Tuesday. 

He didn’t do it because he was asked. Rather, the Detroit Pistons shooting guard volunteered himself.

Beasley, a sharpshooter who signed with the Pistons in July, has quickly embraced his new surroundings. Beyond wanting to be a leader for a young team, it’s personal for Beasley as well. His mom grew up on the west side of Detroit, off of 6 Mile and Evergreen, and most of his mom’s side of the family still resides in the city. 

“I honestly didn’t tell her until it came down to the final two decisions because I didn’t want her to make me go there no matter what,” he said, laughing. “I told her at the last minute and she was excited and she said ‘make sure you stay locked in now, your family’s out there,’ and I said, ‘I got you.'” 

This is his first time officially calling the city home, though he did spend his summers in the city while growing up. 

“I want to make this year impactful, and coming from a championship team I want to bring that energy to here,” Beasley said. “And as I said before, my family’s from here, so giving back to the community is always helpful and makes me happy.

“I definitely miss the Detroit basketball, that energy. I want to bring that back. Growing up, every summer my mom used to bring me out here to get roughed up and learn from my cousins. I’ve been here a lot and have a lot of family, so I’m excited.” 

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Beasley, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract, was a priority for the Pistons. A career 38.5% outside shooter, he was a key role player for the Milwaukee Bucks last season. New team president Trajan Langdon wanted to add spacing and veteran leadership this summer. Beasley checks both boxes. 

A first-round pick in 2016, this marks the 27-year-olds fourth stop in nine seasons. Only three of his teammates — newcomers Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr., as well as Simone Fontecchio — are older. 

More than a month away from training camp, Beasley’s been in the gym with his teammates in-between getting himself settled. 

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“Just got my apartment yesterday, so I’m excited about that,” he said. “I’ll be flying in and out doing community work, working out with the team and then coaches are coming down to Miami where I’m staying at as well. I’m trying to be a vet as much as possible and continue to grow.

“I’ve been working out with some of the guys, Tim Hardaway’s in Miami too and we workout in the same gym, so I’ve seen him a few times. And then the young guys here. That’s why I came here — I could be in Miami chilling, but to be there for them, we have a young team. The fact that I’m like the third-most years at nine (seasons) is pretty tough for a young team.”

Beyond his family, Beasley said he’s also excited for this era of Pistons basketball. They’re coming off of a franchise-worst 14-win season, which spurred an offseason filled with change. Beyond bringing in Langdon to lead their front office, they also hired J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach following Monty Williams’ departure. 

Bickerstaff has experience with young teams, most recently leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances.

“Coach came up to me and said, ‘Don’t get bored with all the new stuff,’" Beasley said. “‘We’ve got young guys, so stay engaged.’' I said ‘coach, I’m here for you coach.’ Whatever I can do to help this team out in any way, I’m gonna find a way. I’m here for the team. I’m here to show that I can be a great vet and get ready for my next contracts coming up.”

Beasley said the team has a “dog” atmosphere with two physical bigs up front in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. He also plans to help out Cade Cunningham, who recently signed a maximum extension for five years and $224 million.

His personal goals include improving as a defender and winning the 3-point contest. 

“Everybody’s cool, man,” Beasley said. “They say the vibe’s already different from last year, so I’m excited about that. I want to be more engaged. A couple of guys just had kids, I have kids. I’ve been with teams where it’s all family-oriented, I’ve been with teams where everybody does their own thing. Main thing is to combine all that together where we’re enjoying our family, enjoying the team.

“If you guys were there at workouts today, I’m being very vocal to the guys and letting them know to learn from my experiences,” he added. “I’ve played with the best of the best. I’ve played on teams where we lose and it feels like the end of the world. I’ve been on teams where we lose and it’s like, 'ok.' Just gotta keep that mindset going.”

Langdon and Bickerstaff had a clear message to Beasley upon his arrival — be a leader. Beasley’s played in 37 playoff games. He’s been in big moments. He wants to become more vocal, and walk the walk. 

He understands that the championship process starts now, which is why he’s taking on a front-facing role more than a month out from training camp.

“Just letting them know what it takes,” he said. “It’s going to take effort, getting over screens. If we’re doing a drill right now in the summertime and there’s nobody guarding us and we’re doing the drill to do the drill, stuff like that, I’ll tell them 'Hey, you’re going to have Jrue Holiday on you, that’s not going to work. Hey, if I’m guarding you right now I would take that from you because you’re doing this.' Just being there for those guys. They’re teaching me as well. It’s a whole big group and we look forward to getting to where we need to go.”

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.