Skylar Mays

BIOGRAPHY

Introducing Skylar Justin Mays, a dynamic talent in professional basketball who currently plays for the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers. Born on September 5, 1997, Skylar sealed a two-way contract with the renowned Lakers and their G League team, the South Bay Lakers. Skylar’s story begins in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, winding its way through college, to the professional leagues, full of ambition, tribulation, and victories.

Hailing from Baton Rouge, Skylar Mays began his basketball journey at the Louisiana State University Laboratory School, or U-High. It was here that he took the first steps on his path to the NBA, starting his varsity basketball career while still in the 8th grade. Skylar quickly caught the basketball fever, dunking for the first time as a freshman in high school.

Achieving success early on, he was named first-team All-State during his sophomore and junior years, in no small part due to his contributions in leading the Cubs to back-to-back state championships. His junior year proved to be impressive, as he averaged 9.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. Mays then transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada in anticipation of his senior year, where he managed 10.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds across his season – plus 2.7 steals per game.

The first steps towards his college career were taken when Skylar, who had initially committed to Louisiana State during his sophomore year, began to explore other options. After considering an impressive portfolio of offers from a group of colleges including Baylor, UNLV, Oklahoma State, Memphis, California, and Stanford, Skylar finally decided to recommit to LSU.

During his fresh year at LSU, Skylar secured the covetable starting point guard position for the Tigers, averaging 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over his first 31 games. His performance improved in his sophomore year as he averaged 11.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game along with 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Skylar’s junior year saw him securing key awards, such as the second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the conference’s scholar-athlete of the year.

Mays’s contributions to LSU didn’t go unnoticed. He was named to the preseason first team All-SEC and was watched for the Jerry West and Naismith Player of the Year awards. He also secured the 45th position in CBS Sports’ ranking of collegiate basketball players entering the 2019–20 season.

After the college season, Skylar declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. However, he ultimately decided to return to LSU for another year, a decision that led to further recognition. He scored a career-high 30 points in one game and tied that high in another. In his final regular season, he was selected as the Academic All-American of the Year, First Team All-SEC, and repeated as the scholar-athlete of the year. He averaged 16.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The serious chapter of Skylar’s professional career began on November 18, 2020, with his selection by the Atlanta Hawks with the 50th pick in the NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Hawks, splitting his time between them and their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

Skylar continued to exhibit stellar performance at the professional level. He was included in the Hawks team for the NBA summer league, debuting with a solid 13 points in 30 minutes of game time. On November 4, 2022, he was drafted into the Delaware Blue Coats. He would later be traded alongside Justin Robinson and Raphiael Putney to the Capitanes de Ciudad de México, in exchange for Jahlil Okafor, Shabazz Napier, Bruno Caboclo, and Matt Mooney.

Skylar briefly signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on March 30, 2023. This partnership was reaffirmed later that year when he penned a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers, which was later converted into a standard contract. However, his stint with the Trail Blazers ended on January 6, 2024, when he was released by the team. Just two days later, Skylar signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he currently showcases his talents on the court.

Off the court, Skylar has showcased his strength and resilience, particularly in the face of personal tragedy. His LSU teammate and best friend, Wayde Sims, was tragically shot in September 2018. Skylar served as the pallbearer at his funeral and delivered a deeply touching 11-minute speech in Sims’ honor at a large on-campus vigil. The following year, during the 2019 SEC Tournament, Skylar honored his late friend by sporting customized Nike tennis shoes.

As Skylar Justin Mays continues to navigate his path in professional basketball, his life remains a testament to the values of persistence, dedication, high academia, and resiliency – all on and off the court.