From Belleville East, IL, Malachi committed to Wright State in 2018 where he earned Horizon League All-Freshman Honors. He transferred to Chattanooga his sophomore season and quickly made a massive impact, earning Second-Team All-SoCon, 2X First-Team All-SoCon, SoCon Player of the Year, and the Lou Henson Award. In 2022, Smith opted out of declaring for the NBA Draft and instead entered in the NCAA Transfer Portal where he ultimately chose to take his talents to Gonzaga. He will finish his final collegiate season with the top-rated Bulldogs prior to entering the 2023 NBA Draft.