Skylar Mays Bio
Skylar Justin Mays (born September 5, 1997) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for Budućnost of the Montenegrin Prva A Liga, the ABA League, and the EuroCup. A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) point guard, he began his career in the United States before extending it across the NBA, the NBA G League, and several international clubs. Mays played four seasons of college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) and was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
Early Life and Background
Skylar Justin Mays grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attended the Louisiana State University Laboratory School, commonly called U-High. He joined the varsity basketball team in eighth grade and dunked for the first time as a freshman. He was named first-team All-State in both his sophomore and junior seasons, helping the Cubs capture back-to-back state championships. As a junior, he averaged 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 played one season for the Pilots. He averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals during that year. Rated a three-star recruit, he initially committed to LSU as a sophomore, briefly reopened his recruitment while considering programs such as Baylor, UNLV, Oklahoma State, Memphis, California, and Stanford, and ultimately re-committed to the Tigers.
Path to Professional Basketball
Mays became LSU’s starting point guard as a freshman and averaged 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals across 31 games. He grew into a stronger role each season, posting 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals as a sophomore, and 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals as a junior, when he was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the conference’s scholar-athlete of the year. On February 26, 2019, he scored his 1,000th career point against Texas A&M. He declared for the 2019 NBA draft before deciding to return to LSU for his senior year.
As a senior, Mays was named preseason first-team All-SEC and appeared on the watchlists for the Jerry West Award and the Naismith Trophy. He tied a career high with 30 points on November 22, 2019, in an 80–78 loss to Utah State, and matched that mark with 30 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a 91–90 overtime loss to Auburn on February 8, 2020. He closed his college career averaging 16.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-SEC honors, first-team Academic All-American recognition, and the Academic All-American of the Year award.
Skylar Mays Career
Atlanta Hawks Era (2020–2022)
The Atlanta Hawks selected Mays with the 50th pick in the 2020 NBA draft on November 18, 2020, and he signed a two-way contract on November 24, splitting time between the Hawks and the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League. On February 13, 2021, he scored a career-high 20 points against the San Antonio Spurs while helping cut a 45-point deficit to 11 in the second half. He played for the Hawks in the 2021 NBA Summer League, scoring 13 points in 30 minutes in his debut against the Boston Celtics, and signed a second two-way contract on August 26, 2021. On April 7, 2022, the Hawks converted his two-way deal into a standard NBA contract.
Delaware Blue Coats (2022–2023)
After his time in Atlanta, Mays joined the Delaware Blue Coats, appearing on their opening night roster on November 4, 2022. He continued to develop his game in the G League before being traded to the Mexico City Capitanes on February 4, 2023, in a deal that brought Jahlil Okafor, Shabazz Napier, Bruno Caboclo, and Matt Mooney the other way. His stint with the Capitanes was brief but reflected his growing reputation as a steady, pass-first point guard.
Portland Trail Blazers (2023–2024)
On March 30, 2023, Mays signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by a two-way deal on October 1, 2023. He broke out in an overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on November 9, recording 18 points and 11 assists in 37 minutes off the bench. He went on to start five games for an injury-depleted Portland roster, averaging 12.0 points and 8.2 assists per game, and signed a standard NBA contract on November 12. The Trail Blazers waived him on January 6, 2024.
Los Angeles / South Bay Lakers and Timberwolves (2024)
On January 8, 2024, Mays signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he split time with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. On September 25, 2024, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves but was waived on October 15, 2024, before appearing in a regular-season game for the team.
Fenerbahçe Beko (2024–2025)
On October 18, 2024, Mays signed with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe Beko for the remainder of the season, marking his first sustained run in European basketball. He was released by the club on January 31, 2025, after contributing as a perimeter playmaker in the Turkish Super League and EuroLeague competition.
Iowa Wolves and Budućnost (2025–Present)
On February 5, 2025, Mays rejoined the NBA G League by signing with the Iowa Wolves. He later moved abroad again, signing with KK Budućnost of the Montenegrin Prva A Liga on July 31, 2025. He continues to serve as a starting point guard for Budućnost across the Prva A Liga, the ABA League, and the EuroCup.
Playing Style and Strengths
Mays is a pass-first point guard whose strengths lie in his court vision, pace control, and pick-and-roll command. He reads defensive rotations quickly, delivers accurate kick-out passes, and uses his 6 ft 3 in frame to finish around the rim. He is also a willing defender, using quick hands to generate steals, and he has shown the ability to knock down open perimeter shots when defenses go under screens.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Mays’ career include his 50th overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft, a 20-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in February 2021, and a near triple-double of 18 points and 11 assists against the Sacramento Kings in November 2023. He also reached 1,000 career college points on February 26, 2019, and tied his career high with 30 points twice during his senior season at LSU.
Skylar Mays Career Awards
Skylar Justin Mays collected several of the most prestigious academic and athletic awards in the Southeastern Conference during his four years at LSU. He was a two-time first-team Academic All-American in 2019 and 2020, a second-team Academic All-American in 2018, and the Academic All-American of the Year in 2020. On the court, he earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2019 and first-team All-SEC recognition in 2020, while also being named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in back-to-back seasons.
Skylar Mays Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mays was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has built much of his adult life around the strong ties he formed there. His closest companion in college was Wayde Sims, an LSU teammate who was killed by a gunshot wound on September 28, 2018. Mays served as a pallbearer at the funeral, delivered an 11-minute speech in Sims’s honor at an on-campus vigil outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and wore customized Nike basketball shoes designed by artist Michael Anderson during the 2019 SEC Tournament to honor his friend’s memory.
2025 Season Performance
In the first half of 2025, Skylar Justin Mays split time between the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League and his new international chapter with KK Budućnost. He signed with the Wolves on February 5, 2025, providing veteran leadership and steady backcourt play for the Minnesota affiliate. On July 31, 2025, he committed to Budućnost, joining a Montenegrin club competing in three competitions during the 2025–26 season.
At Budućnost, Mays is expected to anchor the offense as the primary point guard, leveraging his pick-and-roll command and perimeter passing to set the tempo. His role mirrors the duties he handled during his strong stretch with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, when he averaged 12.0 points and 8.2 assists as a starter. With Budućnost balancing domestic, regional, and EuroCup schedules, his experience across leagues is a key part of the team’s outlook for 2025.