Helena Frye
Haitian basketball player Skal Labissière, born in Port-au-Prince, began his career at the Collège Canado-Haïtien, a junior-senior high school that participated in school championships organized by the Comité Interscolaire de Basket-ball Amateur (CIBA) and the Association de Basket-ball Interscolaire (ASI). After moving to the US, he attended the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis and started playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. Labissière then graduated from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, before playing one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was later drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2016, becoming the highest-drafted Haitian player since 2001, and was traded to the Sacramento Kings, for whom he currently plays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Skal Labissière |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1996 |
| Nationality | Haitian |
| High School | Lausanne Collegiate School, Memphis, Tennessee |
| College | University of Kentucky |
| NBA Team | Sacramento Kings |
| G League Team | Stockton Kings |
| Draft Pick | 28th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft |
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What You'll Learn
Skal Labissière's early life and basketball beginnings
Skal Labissière was born on March 18, 1996, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He grew up in a comfortable life in the Haitian capital, but his options for playing basketball were limited. He dreamed of moving to the US to play basketball and prayed for it. Labissière received his early education at the Collège Canado-Haïtien, a junior-senior high school in Port-au-Prince. He began playing basketball at the school, which participated in school championships organized by the Comité Interscolaire de Basket-ball Amateur (CIBA) and the Association de Basket-ball Interscolaire (ASI).
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, and Labissière was at his family's third-floor apartment when it hit. The building collapsed, trapping him, his mother, and his brother under the debris for three hours. They all survived, but Labissière's legs were pinned, causing them to go numb, and he was unable to walk for several weeks.
A few months after the earthquake, Labissière moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to live with Gerald Hamilton, who ran the Reach Your Dream Foundation, which brings international athletes to the United States as young prospects. Labissière enrolled at the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, where he started playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. When he first arrived, he spoke little English and needed a French interpreter in his classes. However, within three to four months, he became fluent and no longer needed the interpreter.
In 2014, Labissière left the Evangelical Christian School and transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School, also in Memphis. However, due to the move, he was ruled ineligible to play basketball for the school that year by the TSSAA. Instead, he played for Hamilton's Reach Your Dream Prep Academy team, where he excelled, averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. His impressive performance led to him being rated as a five-star recruit, and he was considered one of the best players in his class.
Labissière's outstanding high school career caught the attention of college basketball coaches across the country. He ultimately committed to the University of Kentucky (UK) to play for the Kentucky Wildcats under coach John Calipari, who offered him a scholarship before any other 2015 prospect.
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Labissière's college basketball career
Skal Labissière is a Haitian professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and his basketball career began at the Collège Canado-Haïtien, a junior-senior high school in his hometown. During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, his family's home collapsed with Labissière, his mother, and his brother inside. Fortunately, all three survived, despite being trapped under debris for three hours.
Labissière attended the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis and started playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. Initially, he spoke little English and required a French interpreter in his classes. However, within three to four months, he became fluent and no longer needed the interpreter. In his senior year, Labissière transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School, also in Memphis. Due to this move, he was ruled ineligible to play basketball for the school by the TSSAA. Consequently, he played for Hamilton's Reach Your Dream Prep Academy team, where he averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game.
Labissière was a highly-rated recruit, considered among the best players in his class, and received a five-star rating. He was offered a scholarship to play college basketball for the University of Kentucky (UK) Wildcats by coach John Calipari, who compared him to Anthony Davis. In his lone season with the Wildcats (2015-16), Labissière averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 15.8 minutes per game, starting 18 of the 36 games he played. He was projected as a potential number 1 pick for the 2016 NBA Draft but was ultimately selected 28th overall by the Phoenix Suns, becoming the highest-drafted Haitian player in 15 years.
On draft night, the Phoenix Suns traded Labissière's rights to the Sacramento Kings, with whom he signed a rookie contract on July 15, 2016. Labissière made his NBA debut on November 5, 2016, against the Milwaukee Bucks, and had a season-high 12 points against the Denver Nuggets on February 23, 2017. He scored his first 30-plus points game on March 15, 2017, against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first rookie from the 2016 draft class to achieve this feat.
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The 2016 NBA draft
One notable player in the 2016 NBA draft was Skal Labissière, a Haitian basketball player who gained attention for his impressive skills. Labissière had a challenging upbringing, as his family survived the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where their house collapsed with him, his mother, and brother inside. Despite this trauma, Labissière excelled in basketball and was offered a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he played for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was considered a potential number one draft pick and was eventually selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 28th overall pick. His rights were then traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he signed his rookie contract.
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Labissière's time with the Stockton Kings
Skal Labissière, born on March 18, 1996, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is a professional basketball player. Labissière's basketball journey began at the Collège Canado-Haïtien, a junior-senior high school in his hometown. During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, his family's home collapsed, trapping him, his mother, and brother under the debris for three hours. Fortunately, they all survived.
After graduating from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, Labissière played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He then had a stint with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League before signing with the Sacramento Kings for a year.
During his time with the Stockton Kings, Labissière showcased his talent and potential. He was a dominant force on the court, utilizing his height and athleticism to make an impact. Labissière's time with the Stockton Kings served as a crucial stepping stone in his basketball career. He worked on his skills, refined his techniques, and gained valuable experience in a competitive basketball league.
While playing for the Stockton Kings, Labissière's dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. He consistently improved his game, working on his shooting, ball-handling, and defensive skills. Labissière's coaches and teammates recognized his talent and work ethic, and he quickly became a key contributor to the team's success. He was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, grabbing rebounds, blocking shots, and finishing strong at the rim.
Skal Labissière's journey with the Stockton Kings showcases his determination and passion for the sport. It serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication to becoming a better player. His time with the team laid the foundation for his future success, and he continues to be an inspiration for aspiring basketball players in Haiti and beyond.
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Labissière's current career with the Sacramento Kings
Skal Labissière is a Haitian professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 18, 1996, and his basketball career began at the Collège Canado-Haïtien, a junior-senior high school in his hometown. During the 2010 Haiti earthquake, his family's home collapsed with Labissière, his mother, and his brother inside. Fortunately, they all survived but remained trapped under the debris for three hours.
Labissière moved to the United States and attended the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, where he started playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. Initially, he spoke little English and required a French interpreter, but he quickly picked up the language and became fluent within a few months. In 2014, he transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School, also in Memphis, but due to the move, he was ruled ineligible to play basketball for the season. Instead, he played for Hamilton's Reach Your Dream Prep Academy team, where he excelled, averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game.
Labissière's impressive performances earned him a five-star recruit rating and he was considered among the best players in his class. He committed to the University of Kentucky to play college basketball, with coach John Calipari offering him a scholarship and comparing him to Anthony Davis. In his lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Labissière averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 15.8 minutes per game while starting 18 of 36 games.
Following his successful freshman year, Labissière declared for the 2016 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 28th overall pick, becoming the highest-drafted Haitian player since 2001. However, his rights were traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night, and he signed his rookie contract with them on July 15, 2016. Labissière made his NBA debut on November 5, 2016, against the Milwaukee Bucks, and had a standout performance on March 15, 2017, scoring 32 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Kings to a victory over the Phoenix Suns.
After his early success, Labissière's career seems to have entered a period of instability, with several signings and waivers by the Sacramento Kings and their affiliate, the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. The most recent update indicates that the Sacramento Kings signed him to a 10-day contract on March 3, 2025. Despite the organizational changes, Labissière remains a talented player with a unique skill set, and many fans are excited about his potential impact on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Skal Labissière is a Haitian professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA.
Skal Labissière was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Skal Labissière attended Evangelical Christian School in Memphis and started playing varsity basketball as an eighth-grader. He later transferred to Lausanne Collegiate School, also in Memphis, and played for their basketball team.
Skal Labissière posted averages of 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 15.8 minutes per game in all 36 games while starting 18 of them for the 2015-16 Kentucky Wildcats.
Skal Labissière 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 later traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night, and he signed with them on July 15, 2016.
