He proved to be a man before his time in signing with the Utah Stars directly out of Petersburg High in Virginia in 1974. The 6-10 center led the Stars into the playoffs and earned an All-Star spot as a rookie by averaging 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds. His contract was sold to the Spirits of St. Louis the next season and Malone eventually became a Houston Rockets after the ABA folded in 1976.