Naji Marshall is an American professional basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Born on January 24, 1998, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Marshall stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds.
Early Life and Education
Marshall moved to Maryland at the age of nine. He attended multiple high schools, including Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, and Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. In his senior year at Eleanor Roosevelt, he averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game, leading the team to a 23–3 record.
College Career
Marshall played college basketball for the Xavier Musketeers from 2017 to 2020. Over his three-year tenure, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He earned First-team All-Big East honors in 2020 and was named to the Second-team All-Big East in 2019.
Professional Career
After going undrafted in 2020, Marshall signed with the New Orleans Pelicans and debuted in the NBA on January 15, 2021. He played for the Pelicans from 2020 to 2024, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game over 230 appearances. In July 2024, Marshall signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
Recent Performance
On March 24, 2025, Marshall contributed significantly to the Mavericks’ 120-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 22 points in 27 minutes off the bench.
Notable Incidents
In December 2024, Marshall was involved in a physical altercation with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during a game, leading to both players being ejected. Subsequently, the NBA suspended Marshall for four games, Nurkic for three, and Mavericks forward P.J. Washington for one.
Personal Background
Marshall is the son of Maurice Marshall, a former professional boxer and current basketball coach, and Rayna Whitted, who works at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. His first name, Naji, means “strong warrior” in Arabic.