Skal Labissiere is perhaps the most notable bright Haitian-born player currently in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Tall, fast and multi-talented, Labissière’s career has only gotten better with each passing year since turning pro in 2016 and the question ‘Who is Skal Labissière?’ curious about the life of the seventh foot. Fortunately, there is a lot of information about the Haitian future. Here is a detailed answer to the question of Who is Skal Labissière?
Who is Skal Labissiere?
Skal Labissiere was born on March 18, 1996 in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Growing up in Haiti, he started playing basketball at Collège Canado-Haitien school.
With the university team, Skal was able to participate in the competitions organized by the International Amateur Basketball Committee (CIBA) and the International Basketball Association (ASI).
6 facts about the Power Forward
1. Skal Labissière and his family were victims of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010
The young boy was living with his family in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, when they were 14 when they were threatened with death by the deadly earthquake that hit the country in 2010.
Labissiere together with his mum and younger brother were in their house when suddenly the house started shaking. Immediately it started, the family knew what it was and came together, prepared for the worst. In an instant, their house collapsed on top of them and Skal and his family were trapped in the debris for three long hours.
At one point they thought they were going to die but luckily they were saved. Power Forward recounted the experience during his interview with The Player Tribune in June 2016, after going to the NBA. The earthquake left her legs numb and Skal spent the next few weeks unable to walk. Fortunately, he completely recovered.
2. He moved to the United States after the 2010 earthquake to pursue his basketball career.
After the earthquake, Skal’s basketball future looked bleak, but thanks to Gerald Hamilton, whose Reach Your Dream Foundation helped open up international prospects in the United States. Skal became a benefactor of the foundation and traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to live with Hamilton a few months after the earthquake.
In Memphis, Skal started attending the Evangelical Christian School and before his 8th grade, he started playing on the varsity basketball team. Skal needed a French interpreter early in his studies, but after about four months of learning English he became fluent.
During his senior year in 2014, Skal transferred to Collegiate School in Lausanne, but due to TSSAA rules, he was unable to play with the varsity team during his freshman year. However, his career did not suffer as he continued to hone his talent with Gerald Hamilton’s Reach Your Dream Prep Academy team.
3. His stellar performance earned him a 5-star rookie and top player in his class
Although Skal started playing college basketball only in 8th grade, he quickly improved to become the best in his class. University of Kentucky coach John Calipari greatly admired his talents and compared him to 2012 NBA Draft No. 1 pick Anthony Davis. Calipari offered Skal a scholarship ahead of other prospects for 2015.
4. Power Forward Dropped His Final Three Years Of College Eligibility To Enter The 2016 NBA Draft
For many, Skal has failed to live up to the high expectations many had of him in college, averaging just 6.6 points in 36 games. Nonetheless, he was still a first-round pick in the 2016 draft after giving up the final three years of his college eligibility.
The Phoenix Suns selected him with the 28th overall pick, making Skal Labissière the highest-ranking Haitian player in the draft since Samuel Dalembert, who was selected 26th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. A few weeks after his preliminary selection, Labissière was traded to the Sacramento Kings.
5. As a rookie, Skal Labissiere had numerous assignments with Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League
Skal had a pretty good rookie season with the Kings. He became the 41st NBA player under the age of 20 to score at least 32 points. Tyreke Evans is the only other player to achieve the feat with the Kings. Skal was sent to the Reno Bighorns of the League for development several times during his rookie season, but he proved to be a better player each time.
6. salary
His rookie deal signed on July 15, 2016 was a 3-year deal worth $3,945,627, with all money guaranteed. The contract gives him an annual salary of $1,315,209 according to Spotrac.