Skal Labissiere selected for 2024 NBA G League Up Next Game

Jan 29, 2024, 11:21 AM | Updated: 11:41 am

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 23: Skal Labissiere #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers is introduced as part of the team prior to taking on the Denver Nuggets during their season opener at Moda Center on October 23, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

On Monday morning, the Sacramento Kings announced that Skal Labissiere had been selected to play in the 2024 NBA G League Up Next Game after earning second place in fan votes.

Thirteen games into the Stockton Kings regular season, just three players have participated in every single regular season game: Stanley Johnson, Jalen Slawson, and Skal Labissiere.

The former 28th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft is currently averaging 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game in the G League while converting 66.4 percent of his attempts.

Skal Labissiere has scored 20+ points in five of those 13 games and managed 20 points and ten rebound performances on three occasions. He also has tallied four games with three or more blocks in that time.

Skal Labissiere scored a season-high 26 points in last night’s outing against the Nets 👏👏

This is also @OneBigHaitian‘s second recorded double-double of the season 😤

👑 26 PTS (13-17 FG), 11 REB pic.twitter.com/BqYYuaSpA8

— Stockton Kings (@StocktonKings) January 18, 2024

Led by Stockton head coach Lindsey Harding, Labissiere is playing some great basketball, ultimately leading to recognition in the G League Up Next Game. Last year was the inaugural version of the game, and the NBA explains its format for those unfamiliar.

The event will feature a new tournament-style format where four teams of seven players will have an influencer general manager charged with drafting their squad, customizing their teams’ jersey, and streaming the game on their own digital platforms. Teams will be made up of 28 NBA G League players, 10 of which have been selected by fan vote and 18 selected by the NBA G League with eight members of NBA G League Ignite and at least one member of the Indiana Mad Ants, the G League affiliate of the All-Star hosting Pacers. Each team will be coached by a head coach from the NBA G League.

The Stockton Kings have plenty of intriguing talent this season, including big man Skal Labissiere. They will continue this season, aiming to repeat last season’s regular season success and carry it over into the postseason.