Skylar Mays Bio
Skylar Justin Mays (born September 5, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Budućnost of the Montenegrin Prva A Liga, the ABA League, and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for the Louisiana State University Tigers, where he earned several accolades for his performance on the court.
Early Life and Background
Skylar Mays was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he began his basketball journey at a young age. He attended the Louisiana State University Laboratory School, known as U-High, and started playing on the varsity basketball team in the eighth grade. Mays quickly made a name for himself, earning first-team All-State honors during his sophomore and junior years, leading his high school team to back-to-back state championships. His junior year saw him average 9.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Before his senior year, Mays transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he continued to showcase his skills. He averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in his only season with the Pilots. Rated as a three-star recruit, Mays initially committed to Louisiana State University during his sophomore year but later reopened his recruitment before ultimately recommitting to LSU after considering offers from several other schools.
Path to Basketball
Skylar Mays became the starting point guard for the LSU Tigers during his freshman year, averaging 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals over 31 games. His sophomore season saw him improve his scoring average to 11.3 points per game, along with 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. By his junior year, Mays averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors and recognition as the conference’s scholar-athlete of the year.
During his time at LSU, Mays scored his 1,000th career point against Texas A&M on February 26, 2019. He declared for the 2019 NBA Draft but opted to return to LSU for his senior season. Mays had a standout final year, averaging 16.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and was named first-team Academic All-American and the Academic All-American of the Year.
Skylar Mays Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Skylar Mays was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 50th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Hawks on November 24, 2020, which allowed him to split time between the Hawks and their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. Mays made an immediate impact, scoring a career-high 20 points against the San Antonio Spurs on February 13, 2021. He also participated in the 2021 NBA Summer League, where he scored 13 points in his debut.
On April 7, 2022, Mays’s two-way contract was converted into a standard NBA contract, marking a significant step in his professional career.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
After his time with the Atlanta Hawks, Mays joined the Delaware Blue Coats for the 2022–2023 season. He was traded to the Mexico City Capitanes in February 2023, where he continued to develop his skills. In March 2023, Mays signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, later securing a two-way contract with the team. His performance included a strong showing where he averaged 12 points and 8.2 assists per game over five starts during an injury-depleted stretch for the Blazers.
In January 2024, Mays signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, furthering his career in the NBA. He later signed with Fenerbahçe Beko for the 2024–2025 season, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in different leagues.
Notable Works and Milestones
Skylar Mays’s signature achievements include being named First-team All-SEC in 2020 and receiving the Academic All-American of the Year award. His journey reflects a commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
Skylar Mays Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Skylar Mays has received multiple nominations and honors, particularly during his time at Louisiana State University, where he was recognized for both his athletic and academic achievements.
Skylar Mays Awards Won
Skylar Mays has won several prestigious awards, including First-team All-SEC in 2020 and the Academic All-American of the Year in the same year, highlighting his dual success in sports and academics.
Skylar Mays Family
Details about Skylar Mays’s family are not publicly available, as he tends to keep his personal life private.
Personal Life
Skylar Mays faced a significant personal loss when his best friend and LSU teammate, Wayde Sims, was tragically killed in 2018. Mays served as a pallbearer at Sims’s funeral and delivered a heartfelt speech in his honor at a vigil attended by hundreds. He honored Sims by wearing customized Nike shoes during the 2019 SEC Tournament.