Over the weekend, Bad Bunny lit up the Super Bowl stage during the halftime show in San Francisco, but the global music icon wasn’t done making headlines. Just days later, he made another splash - this time in the basketball world.
Malik Beasley, the nine-year NBA veteran and former Detroit Pistons sharpshooter, has signed with the Santurce Crabbers of Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. And yes, there’s a direct connection between Beasley’s new team and Bad Bunny - the Grammy-winning artist owns the Crabbers, having purchased the franchise back in May 2021.
That move by Bad Bunny wasn’t just a celebrity vanity project. It marked the return of one of Puerto Rico’s most historic basketball clubs after a multi-year absence. His ownership group stepped in to stabilize the franchise and bring it back into the fold of the BSN - and now, they’ve added a legitimate NBA-caliber scorer to their roster.
Beasley’s signing comes as the Crabbers gear up for their season opener in March, and it also brings some clarity to a lingering question for Pistons fans: would Beasley ever return to Detroit? That door now appears closed, at least for the immediate future.
Beasley had been away from the NBA while under investigation for gambling-related issues, and while the Pistons never officially closed the book on him, they clearly began planning for life without him. At the trade deadline, Detroit acquired Kevin Huerter, a move aimed at filling the void Beasley left in their perimeter shooting.
And that void was significant. Beasley was a flamethrower last season, averaging 16.3 points per game and shooting a blistering 43% from beyond the arc.
He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting and played a major role in helping the Pistons snap a five-year playoff drought. His ability to stretch the floor gave Detroit a much-needed offensive dimension, and his absence this season has been felt - both in the box score and in the spacing on the court.
But with his NBA future still uncertain, Beasley is taking his talents to Puerto Rico - not just to stay in shape, but to stay in rhythm. For a player who thrives on timing and confidence, sitting idle wasn’t an option. The BSN gives him a competitive outlet and a chance to stay game-ready while waiting for a potential return to the NBA.
For the Crabbers, Beasley is the latest in a line of former NBA talent to don their jersey. The franchise has previously featured names like Robert Traylor, Michael Beasley, and Emmanuel Mudiay. So adding a player of Beasley’s caliber isn’t just a headline - it’s a continuation of a trend.
And for Bad Bunny, it’s another example of his growing influence in the sports world. From halftime stages to hardwood signings, he’s not just watching the game - he’s helping shape it.