Skal Labissiere Bio
Skal Labissiere is a Haitian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 235 pounds, he plays the power forward and center positions. He wears jersey number 17 and continues to compete at the professional level after beginning his career in 2016.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Labissere became one of the most talked-about international prospects of his generation before playing one season of college basketball at the University of Kentucky. He has since built a versatile career that includes time in the NBA, the NBA G League, and several international leagues, and he was part of an NBA G League championship team in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Skal Labissere was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he discovered basketball at a young age. He attended the College Canado-Haitien, a junior-senior high school in Port-au-Prince that competed in school championships organized by the Comite Interscolaire de Basket-ball Amateur and the Association de Basket-ball Interscolaire. His early development in the sport took place entirely in Haiti before a major life event reshaped his future.
During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Labissere, his mother, and his brother were inside the family home when it collapsed. All three survived but remained trapped under debris for three hours. His legs were pinned, causing them to go numb, and he was unable to walk for several weeks afterward. The experience left a lasting impression on him and motivated his decision to pursue basketball at a higher level.
A few months after the earthquake, Labissere moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to live with Gerald Hamilton, who ran the Reach Your Dream Foundation. The program brought international athletes to the United States as young prospects and gave Labissere a new pathway to develop his game and his education in a new country.
Path to Basketball
After arriving in Memphis, Labissere enrolled at Evangelical Christian School and began playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. When he first arrived, he spoke little English and required a French interpreter in all of his classes, but he became fluent within three to four months. His rapid progress on the court quickly turned him into one of the top-ranked prospects in the country.
In 2014, he left Evangelical Christian School his senior year and transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School, also located in Memphis. Because of the move, the TSSAA ruled him ineligible to play basketball at Lausanne for the season, so he instead played for Hamilton’s Reach Your Dream Prep Academy team, where he averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. He was later named a first-team Parade All-American in 2015.
Labissere was rated as a five-star recruit and was considered among the best players in his class. He committed to the University of Kentucky to play for coach John Calipari, who had offered him a scholarship before any other 2015 prospect and compared him to Anthony Davis. At the start of the season, he was viewed as a potential number one overall pick for the 2016 NBA draft.
Skal Labissiere Career
Early Career (2015-2016)
As a freshman at Kentucky during the 2015-16 season, Labissere appeared in all 36 games and started 18 of them. He posted averages of 6.6 points on .516 field-goal shooting and .661 free-throw shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 15.8 minutes per game. Although his role was limited, his combination of size, shot-blocking, and perimeter skills made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the country.
On April 5, 2016, Labissere declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility. His decision set the stage for a professional career that would carry him across multiple leagues and continents over the next decade.
Sacramento Kings Breakthrough (2016-2019)
On June 23, 2016, Labissere was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 28th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, becoming the highest-drafted Haitian player since Samuel Dalembert in 2001. His rights were traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night, and on July 15 he signed his rookie-scale contract with the team. He made his NBA debut on November 5, recording eight points and three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench in a 117-91 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
His most memorable rookie moment came on March 15, 2017, when he scored 21 of his career-high 32 points in the fourth quarter of a 107-101 win over the Phoenix Suns. He became the first rookie from the 2016 draft class to score at least 30 points, set the mark for the highest-scoring Kings first-year player since Ben McLemore in 2013-14, and recorded his first career double-double with 11 rebounds. He was also assigned to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League on multiple occasions to gain additional experience.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2019-2020)
On February 7, 2019, Labissere was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Caleb Swanigan. His most dramatic performance with Portland came on April 10, when he started the season finale as the team rested its rotation players for the playoffs. In 40 minutes of action, he produced 29 points and 15 rebounds, helping the Blazers overcome a 28-point deficit in a 136-131 win.
On February 6, 2020, Labissere and cash considerations were traded to the Atlanta Hawks for a future protected second-round draft pick. He did not play any games for the Hawks, did not re-sign at the end of the season, and became a free agent.
G League and International Years (2021-2023)
On December 9, 2020, Labissere signed with the New York Knicks but was waived two days later, and he was added to the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He made his Westchester debut on February 10, 2021. He later joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2021 NBA Summer League, then signed with Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional on March 10, 2022.
On March 3, 2023, Labissere was acquired by the Mexico City Capitanes. Later that spring, he signed with Grises de Humacao of the Puerto Rican league but did not appear in a game for the team. This stretch of his career reflected his willingness to compete in multiple countries while continuing to chase a stable NBA opportunity.
Stockton Kings Era (2023-2025)
On September 8, 2023, Labissere signed with the Sacramento Kings and was waived the same day. He joined the Stockton Kings on November 9 and was named to the Opening Night roster. After re-signing with Sacramento in September 2024 and being waived on October 18, he returned to Stockton and helped the team capture the 2025 NBA G League championship.
On March 3, 2025, Labissere signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings. In four appearances, he averaged 1.3 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists before returning to the G League level.
Capital City Go-Go Era (2025-Present)
On October 6, 2025, Labissere signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Washington Wizards and was waived seven days later. He was then added to the Wizards’ G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, where he resumed his role as an experienced interior presence. On January 27, 2026, he signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards, marking his return to an NBA roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Labissere combines the size of a true center with the perimeter skill set of a modern power forward. He can step away from the basket to shoot, protect the rim with timing and length, and finish around the rim with soft touch. His career has reflected steady improvement in passing and decision-making, allowing him to remain productive in fast-paced systems at the G League level and contribute in spot minutes at the NBA level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Labissere became the highest-drafted Haitian player since Samuel Dalembert when he went 28th overall in 2016. His 32-point, 11-rebound performance against Phoenix as a rookie and his 29-point, 15-rebound comeback game in a Portland finale stand out as the defining scoring moments of his career. He was also a three-time NBA G League Next Up Game selection in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Skal Labissere Career Wins
Skal Labissere’s competitive résumé features a mix of NBA appearances, G League impact, and international play. His most significant team accomplishment is the 2025 NBA G League championship earned with the Stockton Kings, the highlight of his professional career to date.
Stockton Kings Highlights
With the Stockton Kings from 2023 to 2025, Labissere served as a veteran leader in the frontcourt and helped anchor the team to the 2025 NBA G League title. He was also selected to the NBA G League Next Up Game in both 2024 and 2025 during his time with Stockton, recognizing his consistent production.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Labissere helped the Reno Bighorns during his multiple NBA Development League assignments while under contract with Sacramento. He also competed in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional with Cangrejeros de Santurce in 2022 and with the Mexico City Capitanes in 2023, gaining experience across multiple professional leagues.
Skal Labissiere Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Labissere’s immediate family is limited. He is known to have a mother and a brother, both of whom survived the 2010 Haiti earthquake alongside him. Details about his parents, marital status, and children are not publicly confirmed, so they are not included here.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a defining chapter for Skal Labissere. With the Stockton Kings, he was a steady contributor in the frontcourt and helped the franchise capture the 2025 NBA G League championship. He was also selected to the NBA G League Next Up Game for the second consecutive year, a reflection of his consistent play and professional approach.
On March 3, 2025, Sacramento signed Labissere to a 10-day contract, giving him another opportunity at the NBA level. In four appearances for the Kings, he averaged 1.3 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists, providing depth off the bench. The brief stint demonstrated his readiness to step in when called upon and his value as a two-way contributor.
Looking ahead, Labissere’s strong 2025 campaign set the stage for his next opportunity. After signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Washington Wizards in October 2025 and joining the Capital City Go-Go, he continued to compete at a high level and earned another 10-day NBA contract in January 2026, signaling continued belief in his abilities from NBA organizations.
