Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Pedro Salcas
Skal Labissière is a Haitian professional basketball player who has represented several NBA teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards. Born on March 18, 1996, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he developed into one of his country’s most recognizable basketball players after surviving the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake and moving to the United States to pursue his sporting ambitions.
Behind his basketball journey is a family whose experiences helped shape his character and determination. Skal Labissière’s parents are Lesly Labissière and Ema Labissière, while his siblings are his younger brother, Elliott Labissière, and his sister, Mallya Labissière. His father rescued him, his mother, and his brother from the rubble of their collapsed home during the 2010 earthquake. Although his family background has been documented extensively, Labissière has maintained considerable privacy regarding his girlfriend, children, and romantic relationships.
Skal Labissière’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Skal Labissière has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. Despite spending several years in professional basketball and attracting significant attention during his college career at the University of Kentucky, the Haitian basketball player has generally kept his romantic relationships away from the public spotlight.
His interviews and public appearances have primarily focused on basketball, his childhood in Haiti, his family, and the extraordinary experiences that shaped his journey to the NBA.
Unlike some professional athletes who frequently share details about their romantic relationships on social media, Labissière has not made his dating life a prominent part of his public identity.
There have been no widely verified reports identifying a current girlfriend or confirming that he is engaged or married.
Consequently, claims circulating online about a potential romantic partner should be treated cautiously unless supported by reliable reporting or a statement from the player himself.
As of now, Skal Labissière’s relationship status remains publicly undisclosed. This does not necessarily mean he is single, only that he has not publicly identified a romantic partner through reliable sources.
Skal Labissière’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is currently no reliable public information confirming that Skal Labissière has children. The Haitian professional basketball player has not made any widely documented announcements about becoming a father, and his official NBA and University of Kentucky biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Throughout his professional career, Labissière has primarily discussed his relationship with his parents and siblings, the influence of his American host family, and his commitment to basketball.
Although he has spoken about the importance of family in his life, he has not publicly provided confirmed information about children of his own.
As of now, Skal Labissière has no publicly confirmed children. This reflects the information available through reliable public sources rather than a definitive statement about his private life.
Skal Labissière’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Skal Labissière was born to Lesly Labissière and Ema Labissière in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His parents raised him and his siblings in the Haitian capital, where the family lived before the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
His father worked as a carpenter, while his mother was involved in early childhood education and journalism.
Both parents encouraged education, discipline, and religious faith while supporting their children’s interests.
According to a detailed October 2015 profile published by Sports Illustrated, the Labissière family maintained a stable household in Port-au-Prince despite the economic and social challenges affecting Haiti.
Their lives changed dramatically during the 2010 earthquake, when their apartment building collapsed and trapped several family members beneath the rubble.
Skal Labissière’s Father: Lesly Labissière
Lesly Labissière is Skal Labissière’s father and one of the most influential people in his life. He worked as a carpenter in Port-au-Prince and helped raise Skal, Elliott, and Mallya alongside his wife, Ema.
Lesly placed considerable importance on discipline, responsibility, and education.
He also shared his son’s enthusiasm for basketball.
During Skal’s childhood, the two regularly watched NBA games together, helping the young player develop an interest in professional basketball.
The family had a small basketball hoop in the courtyard of their apartment building, where Skal and his younger brother spent time practicing.
Although basketball facilities were relatively limited in Haiti, Lesly encouraged his sons to participate in sports and enjoy recreational activities.
His support eventually became essential to Skal’s development as a basketball player.
How Lesly Labissière Saved His Family During the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
One of the most important moments in Lesly Labissière’s life occurred on January 12, 2010, when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti.
At approximately 4:53 p.m., the family’s three-story apartment building in Port-au-Prince began shaking violently before collapsing.
Skal, who was 13 years old, was inside the building with his mother, Ema, and his younger brother, Elliott.
Lesly was outside in the courtyard when the earthquake began. According to Sports Illustrated, he had been adjusting the children’s basketball hoop shortly before the building collapsed.
After realizing that his wife and sons were trapped beneath the rubble, Lesly immediately began searching for them.
He used a metal weightlifting bar to break through sections of concrete and debris while neighbors assisted with the rescue.
For approximately three hours, Skal, Ema, and Elliott remained trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Eventually, Lesly and the other rescuers managed to reach them.
Skal was pulled out first, followed by his mother and younger brother.
Although all three survived, they suffered injuries. Skal experienced temporary loss of sensation and mobility in his legs after being trapped in an uncomfortable position beneath the debris.
The rescue became a defining moment in the family’s history.
In a June 2016 first-person account published by The Players’ Tribune, Labissière described hearing his father’s voice while trapped beneath the rubble and realizing that help had arrived.
He also remembered speaking about his ambition to reach the NBA shortly after being rescued.
Lesly’s determination to save his family remains one of the most significant episodes in Skal’s personal story.
How Skal Labissière’s Father Supported His Move to America
Before the earthquake, Skal had already expressed interest in moving to the United States to pursue basketball opportunities.
However, Lesly was initially reluctant to allow his teenage son to leave Haiti and live with people the family did not know personally.
The earthquake changed the family’s circumstances.
With their home destroyed and Skal’s school severely damaged, his parents became more willing to consider educational opportunities abroad.
Gerald Hamilton, an American who operated the Reach Your Dream Foundation, began working with the family to arrange Skal’s relocation to Tennessee.
According to Sports Illustrated, Hamilton maintained regular communication with Lesly while helping prepare the paperwork required for Skal to obtain a student visa.
The process took several months and involved multiple visits to the United States embassy in Haiti.
In July 2010, Skal received approval to travel to the United States.
He arrived in Memphis in August 2010, beginning a new chapter in his educational and basketball career.
Although allowing Skal to move abroad was a difficult family decision, Lesly supported the opportunity because it could provide a better future for his son.
Skal Labissière’s Mother: Ema Labissière
Ema Labissière is Skal Labissière’s mother and another central figure in his personal development.
She worked as a kindergarten principal and radio journalist in Haiti, according to reporting published by Sports Illustrated in October 2015.
Her professional background reflected the family’s strong appreciation for education and communication.
Ema encouraged her children to pursue their studies while supporting their interests in sports and other activities.
She also played an essential role in helping Skal recover physically and emotionally after the 2010 earthquake.
How Ema Labissière Helped Her Son Recover After the Earthquake
When the 2010 Haiti earthquake struck, Ema was inside the family’s apartment with Skal and Elliott.
All three became trapped when the building collapsed.
According to Skal’s account in The Players’ Tribune, his mother remained concerned about her children’s safety throughout the experience.
While they waited for rescue, she repeatedly checked on Elliott to ensure that he remained conscious and responsive.
After Lesly and other rescuers pulled the family from the rubble, Ema helped her sons recover from their injuries.
Skal had temporarily lost the ability to walk normally because his legs had been compressed beneath the debris.
With hospitals overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, the family had limited access to medical treatment.
Ema began massaging Skal’s legs regularly and assisting him with basic movements as he gradually regained strength.
According to Sports Illustrated, he was able to walk again approximately two weeks after the earthquake.
It took additional time before he could move comfortably without limping.
Ema’s dedication during his recovery helped him regain the physical abilities necessary to continue playing basketball.
Ema Labissière’s Role in Rebuilding the Family’s Life
Following the earthquake, the Labissière family’s apartment was no longer habitable.
For a period, they lived in temporary accommodation near the kindergarten where Ema worked.
Although the school building had also suffered damage, parts of the structure remained standing and provided shelter for the family.
In a June 2016 interview with Sports Illustrated, Skal explained that his mother’s school had become an important refuge after their home was destroyed.
The family initially used temporary shelter outside the building before eventually moving into a classroom that remained structurally usable.
Throughout this period, Ema continued supporting her children while adapting to the difficult conditions created by the earthquake.
Her determination helped the family maintain a sense of stability after losing their home and many everyday possessions.
When Skal later moved to the United States, his mother supported his educational and sporting opportunities, although the relocation meant living far from her son.
Her influence remained important throughout his high school career, time at Kentucky, and eventual entry into the NBA.
Skal Labissière’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Skal Labissière has two publicly identified siblings: a younger brother named Elliott Labissière and a sister named Mallya Labissière.
Both are named in his official University of Kentucky basketball biography and NBA player profile.
The siblings grew up in Port-au-Prince, where their family encouraged education, sports, and personal responsibility.
Although Skal became internationally recognized through basketball, Elliott and Mallya have generally remained outside the media spotlight.
Elliott Labissière: Skal Labissière’s Younger Brother
Elliott Labissière, whose name is also spelled Eliott in some official basketball records, is Skal Labissière’s younger brother.
He grew up alongside Skal in Port-au-Prince and shared his enthusiasm for basketball.
During childhood, the brothers regularly played together using the small basketball hoop in their family’s courtyard.
They also enjoyed basketball video games, including the NBA Live series.
In July 2017, Skal recalled those childhood experiences in a personal article published on the Sacramento Kings’ official website.
His memories of playing basketball with Elliott were among the experiences that remained especially meaningful to him after moving away from Haiti.
How Elliott Labissière Survived the Haiti Earthquake
Elliott was approximately nine years old when the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
He was inside the family’s apartment with his mother and older brother when the building collapsed.
According to Sports Illustrated, Elliott became trapped beneath the debris alongside Skal and Ema.
His older brother remembered hearing Elliott crying out while they waited for rescue.
Both brothers suffered injuries caused by the collapsed structure.
In The Players’ Tribune, Skal explained that Elliott experienced problems with his legs after being trapped beneath a heavy piece of furniture.
Fortunately, their father and neighbors were able to rescue the family after approximately three hours.
Following the disaster, Ema assisted both brothers with their physical recovery.
Although the experience was traumatic, the family survived and began rebuilding their lives.
Elliott remained an important part of Skal’s childhood story, particularly because they experienced the earthquake together.
There is limited verified public information about Elliott’s education, professional activities, or personal relationships in adulthood.
Unlike Skal, he has not pursued a widely documented career in professional basketball.
Mallya Labissière: Skal Labissière’s Sister
Mallya Labissière is Skal Labissière’s sister and another member of his immediate family.
She is identified in both his University of Kentucky basketball biography and his official NBA profile.
Mallya grew up as part of the Labissière family in Haiti, although public reporting about her personal life is limited.
Unlike Skal and Elliott, she is not prominently featured in the detailed accounts of the family’s experience during the 2010 earthquake.
Reliable reporting does not establish her whereabouts during the disaster, so it would be inappropriate to assume that she was trapped inside the building with her mother and brothers.
Mallya has largely remained outside the public spotlight despite her brother’s professional basketball career.
Details about her education, occupation, age, and personal relationships have not been widely established by authoritative sources.
As of now, she remains one of the two siblings publicly confirmed in Skal Labissière’s immediate family.
Skal Labissière’s American Family: Who Is Gerald Hamilton?
In addition to his biological family in Haiti, Skal Labissière developed an important relationship with an American family after moving to the United States in 2010.
Gerald Hamilton, an information technology specialist living in Olive Branch, Mississippi, became Labissière’s legal guardian and helped him continue his education and basketball development.
Hamilton operated Reach Your Dream, a nonprofit organization designed to provide educational and sporting opportunities for international students.
He and his wife, Sheneka Hamilton, welcomed Skal into their household after the earthquake.
Their three children also formed part of the family environment in which Skal lived during his teenage years.
It is important to distinguish Gerald Hamilton from Skal’s biological father, Lesly Labissière. Gerald served as his American guardian, not his biological parent.
How Gerald Hamilton Helped Skal Labissière Move to the United States
Following the earthquake, Gerald Hamilton worked with the Labissière family and individuals involved in youth basketball development to arrange Skal’s relocation to Memphis.
Hamilton helped identify Evangelical Christian School as a possible educational destination and assisted with the documentation required for a student visa.
Skal eventually arrived in Tennessee in August 2010.
He initially attended Evangelical Christian School, where he continued developing his basketball abilities.
As he became older, he moved to Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis and developed into one of the country’s highest-ranked high school basketball prospects.
During those years, Hamilton helped organize training opportunities and introduced Skal to coaches who could assist with his development.
His guardianship also attracted scrutiny during Skal’s college recruitment, including questions about the activities of Reach Your Dream and its relationship with basketball programs.
These matters received extensive coverage from Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports in 2015.
Despite the controversy surrounding his guardian, Labissière eventually enrolled at the University of Kentucky and competed during the 2015-16 college basketball season.
He has publicly acknowledged the importance of his American host family in helping him pursue opportunities that would otherwise have been difficult to access after the earthquake.
How the 2010 Haiti Earthquake Changed Skal Labissière’s Family
The January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake was one of the most significant events in Skal Labissière’s life.
The disaster destroyed his family’s home in Port-au-Prince and forced them to rebuild their lives under difficult circumstances.
At the time, Skal was a 13-year-old student who dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player.
He had already developed an interest in the NBA and followed American basketball through television and video games.
However, the earthquake created uncertainty about his education, physical recovery, and future sporting opportunities.
The family’s survival depended on the actions of his father and neighbors, who worked to rescue Skal, Ema, and Elliott from the collapsed building.
His mother’s dedication subsequently helped him recover enough to walk and eventually return to playing basketball.
Once the family began rebuilding, his parents agreed to allow him to relocate to the United States.
The decision changed the direction of his career.
Within a few years, Skal had become one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country and earned a scholarship to the University of Kentucky.
In interviews, he has frequently described the earthquake as an experience that changed his perspective on life.
He has emphasized the importance of appreciating opportunities and remaining determined during difficult periods.
How Skal Labissière’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
Skal Labissière began playing basketball in Haiti when he was approximately eight years old.
As he grew older, he participated in organized school basketball competitions and became increasingly interested in pursuing the sport professionally.
His father supported his enthusiasm for the NBA, while his mother emphasized education and personal responsibility.
Before moving to the United States, he attended Collège Canado-Haïtien in Port-au-Prince.
After arriving in Tennessee in 2010, he continued developing his skills at Evangelical Christian School.
His performances eventually attracted attention from college basketball recruiters.
During the summer of 2011, he earned Most Valuable Player recognition at the Fab Frosh basketball camp in Atlanta.
The achievement helped establish him as one of the most promising young international prospects in American high school basketball.
He later attended Lausanne Collegiate School and participated in several prominent basketball events, including the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
By 2015, Labissière was widely regarded as one of the leading players in his high school graduating class.
Skal Labissière’s College Basketball Career at Kentucky
Skal Labissière committed to the University of Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over programs including North Carolina, Georgetown, Baylor, Tennessee, and Memphis.
He joined Kentucky for the 2015-16 basketball season under head coach John Calipari.
During his freshman season, Labissière appeared in 36 games and made 18 starts.
He averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while helping Kentucky compete in the Southeastern Conference.
Although he experienced challenges adjusting to college basketball, he demonstrated his defensive potential through several impressive performances.
One of his most memorable games came against Stony Brook in the NCAA Tournament, when he recorded six blocked shots.
The performance tied for the second-most blocks by a Kentucky player in an NCAA Tournament game at the time.
Following his freshman season, Labissière declared for the 2016 NBA Draft.
His decision represented the realization of a long-standing family ambition.
Skal Labissière’s Family at the 2016 NBA Draft
On June 23, 2016, Skal Labissière was selected with the 28th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Sacramento Kings.
The event was especially meaningful because it represented the fulfillment of a dream he had pursued since childhood in Haiti.
Several members of his family traveled to New York to celebrate the occasion.
In a June 2016 interview with Sports Illustrated, Labissière explained that relatives from Haiti and members of his American host family had gathered for draft week.
He estimated that approximately 50 relatives and family friends were involved in the celebrations.
The gathering demonstrated the importance of both his Haitian roots and the relationships he had developed while living in Memphis.
For his parents, the achievement represented the culmination of years of sacrifices and uncertainty following the earthquake.
For Skal, it fulfilled the dream that had motivated him through his childhood and recovery.
Skal Labissière’s NBA Career and Family Support
Labissière began his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings during the 2016-17 season.
After spending part of his rookie season developing in the NBA G League, he earned opportunities to contribute regularly for Sacramento.
His performances improved significantly after the franchise traded DeMarcus Cousins in February 2017.
During the final portion of his rookie season, Labissière became an important member of Sacramento’s young frontcourt.
He continued playing for the Kings before joining the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2019.
During the 2019-20 season, he appeared in 33 games for Portland and averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
He later spent time with other professional organizations, including teams in the NBA G League.
In March 2025, Labissière returned to the Sacramento Kings on a short-term contract.
He subsequently joined the Washington Wizards organization, spending time with its NBA G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.
In January 2026, Washington signed him to a 10-day NBA contract.
On October 5, 2026, Labissière signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Wizards ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The agreement provided an opportunity to compete for a place within Washington’s professional basketball organization, although an Exhibit 10 contract does not guarantee a regular-season NBA roster position.
Throughout these transitions, the lessons he learned from his parents and his experiences in Haiti have remained important elements of his personal story.
Skal Labissière’s Connection to Haiti and His Community
Despite spending much of his adult life in the United States, Skal Labissière has maintained a strong connection to his native Haiti.
His experiences during the 2010 earthquake inspired him to use his basketball career to create opportunities for young people in his home country.
In July 2017, he returned to Haiti for the first time since leaving in 2010.
The trip was particularly emotional because it allowed him to reconnect with relatives, former classmates, childhood friends, and the community where he grew up.
He also revisited the neighborhood where his family’s apartment building had collapsed during the earthquake.
In a personal article published by the Sacramento Kings on July 19, 2017, Labissière reflected on his childhood memories and his desire to give back to the community.
Camp S.K.A.L.: Helping Young Basketball Players in Haiti
During his 2017 visit, Labissière organized Camp S.K.A.L., a basketball development initiative for young athletes in Port-au-Prince.
The camp took place from July 19 to July 21 and provided training opportunities for approximately 50 promising high school basketball players.
Its purpose extended beyond teaching basketball techniques.
Labissière wanted participants to learn important life skills, develop confidence, and understand the importance of education and personal responsibility.
The initiative was supported by Reach Your Dream, the organization that had helped him relocate to the United States after the earthquake.
His return to Haiti reflected a personal commitment to supporting young people facing challenges similar to those he experienced during childhood.
He hoped that his journey from Port-au-Prince to the NBA would demonstrate that Haitian athletes could achieve success internationally.
Labissière’s community activities also reflected the values instilled in him by his parents, particularly the importance of education, perseverance, and helping others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skal Labissière’s Family
Who is Skal Labissière’s girlfriend?
Skal Labissière has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. As of now, his romantic relationship status remains undisclosed.
Is Skal Labissière married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Skal Labissière is married or has a wife.
Does Skal Labissière have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Skal Labissière has any children.
Who are Skal Labissière’s parents?
Skal Labissière’s parents are Lesly Labissière and Ema Labissière. His father worked as a carpenter, while his mother was a kindergarten principal and radio journalist in Haiti.
Who is Skal Labissière’s father?
His father is Lesly Labissière, who helped rescue Skal, his mother, and his younger brother from the rubble of their collapsed apartment during the January 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Who is Skal Labissière’s mother?
His mother is Ema Labissière, an educator and former radio journalist who helped her sons recover from injuries sustained during the earthquake.
How many siblings does Skal Labissière have?
Skal Labissière has two publicly identified siblings: his younger brother, Elliott Labissière, and his sister, Mallya Labissière.
Who is Skal Labissière’s brother?
His brother is Elliott Labissière, who survived the 2010 Haiti earthquake alongside Skal and their mother.
Who is Skal Labissière’s sister?
His sister is Mallya Labissière, who is identified in his official Kentucky and NBA biographies.
Did Skal Labissière lose his family in the Haiti earthquake?
No. Although the family’s home collapsed during the January 2010 earthquake, Skal, his mother, and his brother Elliott survived after being rescued by his father and neighbors. The available accounts do not establish the circumstances of every family member during the disaster.
Who rescued Skal Labissière during the earthquake?
His father, Lesly Labissière, and several neighbors rescued him, his mother, and his younger brother after they had been trapped beneath the rubble for approximately three hours.
Who was Skal Labissière’s American guardian?
Gerald Hamilton was Skal Labissière’s legal guardian in the United States. He and his wife, Sheneka Hamilton, hosted Skal after he moved to the Memphis area in 2010.
Is Gerald Hamilton Skal Labissière’s biological father?
No. Skal Labissière’s biological father is Lesly Labissière. Gerald Hamilton served as his American guardian while he attended school and developed his basketball career in Tennessee.
Where is Skal Labissière’s family from?
Skal Labissière was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where his family lived before the devastating 2010 earthquake.
What is Skal Labissière’s nationality?
Skal Labissière is Haitian. He was born in Port-au-Prince on March 18, 1996, and later moved to the United States to continue his education and basketball development.
How old was Skal Labissière during the Haiti earthquake?
Skal Labissière was 13 years old when the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
Where did Skal Labissière attend college?
Skal Labissière attended the University of Kentucky, where he played one season for the Wildcats during the 2015-16 academic year.
What NBA team drafted Skal Labissière?
The Phoenix Suns selected Skal Labissière with the 28th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft before trading his draft rights to the Sacramento Kings.
What team does Skal Labissière play for?
As of now, Skal Labissière is under an Exhibit 10 training-camp contract with the Washington Wizards, signed on October 5, 2026. The agreement does not guarantee a regular-season roster position.
Pedro Salcas is a dedicated sports journalist and NBA specialist focused on team strategy, player performance, and league news. Tracking action across the Eastern and Western Conferences, he breaks down complex game tape, roster moves, and statistics into clear, engaging analysis. From preseason storylines to deep playoff runs, Pedro brings a sharp analytical perspective and passion for basketball to keep readers informed on everything happening in the NBA.
