Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Shake Milton has carved out a role in the league as a versatile guard capable of handling the ball, creating offense, and scoring when opportunities arise. His size, composure, and ability to play multiple backcourt roles have made him a useful contributor across different lineups and systems.

Here’s a detailed profile of Shake Milton:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Malik Benjamin “Shake” Milton
  • Nickname: Shake
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born September 26, 1996
  • Hometown: Owasso, Oklahoma, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
  • Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 13 (US) (estimated)
  • Jersey Number: Worn #18, #13, and #1 at different points in his career
  • Position: Shooting guard / Point guard
  • High School and College:
    • High School:
      • Owasso High School (Owasso, Oklahoma)
    • College:
      • Southern Methodist University (SMU) (2015–2018)
  • NBA Draft:
    • Drafted: 54th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks (rights traded to the Philadelphia 76ers)
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Philadelphia 76ers (2018–2023)
    2. Minnesota Timberwolves (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings:
    • NBA: None yet
  • Kids: No publicly known children
  • Siblings: Shake has siblings, but detailed information about them is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Shake Milton’s player archetype is that of a combo guard scorer-playmaker, a bigger lead-guard type who can slide between on-ball and off-ball duties depending on lineup needs. Defensively, he is best used as a team-structure guard defender who leverages his size to hold his own on the perimeter, contest passing lanes, and avoid being overwhelmed by the physical demands that smaller guards often face, though he is not typically a true stopper. Offensively, his role centers on secondary creation, pick-and-roll handling, spot-up shooting, and steady bench scoring, giving teams a guard who can settle possessions without needing every touch to dominate the ball. Physically, Milton brings good positional size for the backcourt at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, with a long, upright frame that helps him see over defenders and play either guard spot. Altogether, his play style is built on patience, functional versatility, and controlled shot-making, making him the kind of connective backcourt piece who can keep an offense organized while still supplying scoring punch. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Shake Milton has a habit of making the game look slower than it really is, and that’s where most of his value comes from. He isn’t trying to overwhelm defenders with burst or complicated dribble sequences; instead, he keeps them guessing with long strides, controlled hesitations and an ability to change pace just before reaching the paint. What stands out is how comfortable he is operating when a possession breaks down. Give him a late-clock pick-and-roll and he’ll patiently snake the screen, keep his defender on his back and wait until the weak-side tag commits before slipping a pass to the roller or kicking to the corner. His scoring often arrives in similarly understated fashion, mixing floaters, short pull-ups and balanced finishes rather than constantly hunting the rim or settling for difficult step-backs. There are stretches where he can look like a natural secondary creator because he rarely seems sped up, but the trade-off is that he doesn’t consistently pressure the defence with enough force to bend an entire scheme around him. Defenders who can crowd his handle and take away those rhythm dribbles often force him into tougher attempts, and there are possessions where he drifts toward being a spectator without the ball instead of relocating into open space. Defensively, his size allows him to switch onto bigger guards and wings for short stretches, and he usually understands where to provide nail help or rotate from the weak side, although quicker ball handlers can expose limitations in his lateral recovery if he’s isolated repeatedly. To me, his ideal fit is next to an aggressive primary creator who attracts multiple defenders, allowing Milton to slide between secondary ball-handler, spot-up shooter and occasional pick-and-roll operator depending on how the possession unfolds. The interesting thing is that his game doesn’t rely on volume to influence an offence; it’s about making sensible decisions once an advantage already exists and avoiding rushed possessions. There are similarities to Shaun Livingston in the measured tempo and reliance on length over explosiveness, while parts of his offensive rhythm also resemble Alec Burks, particularly the way both players quietly manufacture efficient scoring chances without dominating the ball for long stretches.

Fun Facts

  • His nickname, “Shake,” comes from his father, Myron, who gave him the name after being inspired by a player named “Milkshake” in a local basketball league.

Sources:

NBA.com — Shake Milton | Guard | Los Angeles Lakers
NBA.com — Second-Round Candidate: Shake Milton
Basketball-Reference — Shake Milton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more