Now that the dust has settled on the NBA G League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to take a look at one of the top Canadians in the league—Ottawa’s Marial Shayok.
Shayok was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 54th overall pick in the second round becoming the first ever player from Ottawa, Canada to be drafted by an NBA team. Four years earlier, Aylmer, Quebec’s Olivier Hanlan became the first player from the National Capital Region to be drafted by an NBA team when he was drafted by the Utah Jazz 42nd overall in the 2015 draft.
Shayok was signed to a two-way contract on July 7, 2019, finishing the season averaging 22.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 35.8% from 3-point range with the Sixers G-League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats. His highly productive season led to him receiving a number of honours. At mid-season he was named to the All-NBA G League Team, one of 12 players to represent the Eastern Conference.
He also has a few postseason honours under his belt. He was recently named to the G-League All-Rookie Team and the All-G League Third Team. The St. Pat’s High School and Iowa State product also earned Player of the Week honours back in November. But what might be even more impressive is that Shayok was ranked the #1 player in the NBA G League by Rookie Wire, referring to him as arguably the best scorer in the league, finishing second in total points.
Shayok also played two games with the Sixers becoming the first player from Ottawa to ever play in the NBA. He scored three points and went 1-for-3 from three point range.
But Marial Shayok’s season may not be done. There are ongoing discussions as to whether two-way players like Shayok will be eligible to play in the now shortened NBA season when it resumes on July 30th. If Shayok is indeed eligible and is added to the team, it would be the perfect cap to a spectacular G League rookie season.
Marial Shayok: Season at a glance
22.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 35.8% from deep
NBA G-League Player of the Week (November)
All-NBA G League Team
G-League All-Rookie Team
All-G League Third Team
#1 Player in the NBA G League (Rookie Wire)
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