Lakers 47 Player Is Getting Unexpected Attention Now
- 01. The Lakers 47 Player Is Mojave King - Here's What's Happening Now
- 02. Who Is Mojave King?
- 03. Draft History and NBA Journey
- 04. Why Is Mojave King Getting Unexpected Attention in 2026?
- 05. Key Career Milestones
- 06. National Team Participation
- 07. Family Basketball Pedigree
- 08. Draft Rights Trade to Pelicans
- 09. What This Means for Lakers Draft History
- 10. Final Thoughts on the Lakers 47 Player Story
The Lakers 47 Player Is Mojave King - Here's What's Happening Now
The Lakers 47 player refers to Mojave King, the New Zealand-American guard selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 47th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. King is getting unexpected attention in 2026 after posting a career-high 32 points for the Cairns Taipans on November 7, 2025, and signing with Greek Basketball League team Mykonos on March 7, 2026. Despite never playing a regular-season NBA game, the 23-year-old shooting guard has emerged as one of the most fascinating second-round draft stories of the past three years.
Who Is Mojave King?
Mojave Jackson King was born on June 11, 2002, in Dunedin, New Zealand, and is a dual citizen of New Zealand and the United States. Named after the Mojave Desert in the southwestern United States, King moved to Queensland, Australia, at age four when his father accepted a coaching position. He attended Brisbane State High School and later played for the NBA Global Academy at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
King's professional career began in 2020 with the Cairns Taipans through the NBL's Next Stars program, where he averaged 6.2 points and 2.4 rebounds as a 17-year-old. After one season with the Adelaide 36ers, he joined the NBA G League Ignite in September 2022, positioning himself for the 2023 NBA Draft.
Draft History and NBA Journey
On June 25, 2023, the Los Angeles Labs selected King with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft. His draft rights were immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers, making him just the third New Zealand-born player ever drafted after Sean Marks and Steven Adams.
- June 25, 2023: Selected 47th overall by Lakers, rights traded to Pacers
- July 2023: Played for Indiana Pacers in 2023 NBA Summer League
- October 2023: Joined Indiana Mad Ants (Pacers' G League affiliate)
- 2023-24 G League season: 15 games, 3.9 points in 8.9 minutes per game
- April 18, 2024: Signed with New Zealand Breakers for 2024-25 NBL season
- June 17, 2025: Draft rights traded from Pacers to New Orleans Pelicans
- March 7, 2026: Signed with Mykonos of the Greek Basketball League
King never made an official NBA regular-season appearance, but his international career has flourished since leaving the G League system.
Why Is Mojave King Getting Unexpected Attention in 2026?
King's sudden surge in visibility stems from three major developments in late 2025 and early 2026. First, on November 7, 2025, he delivered the best performance of his 76-game NBL career, scoring 32 points on 13-of-16 shooting (including 6-of-8 from three-point range) in a 107-90 loss to the Illawarra Hawks. This game marked a career-best efficiency rating and demonstrated elite shooting consistency.
Second, King recorded a career-high 35 efficiency rating in 2025, signaling dramatic improvement in his all-around game. Third, his March 7, 2026, signing with Mykonos in the Greek Basketball League represents his highest-profile international contract to date.
| Metric | 2023-24 G League | 2024-25 NBL (Breakers) | 2025-26 NBL (Taipans) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 3.9 | 8.1 | 14.3 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 1.8 | 4.7 | 5.2 |
| Three-Point % | 31.2% | 36.8% | 42.1% |
| Games Played | 15 | 22 | 12 |
These statistics reveal a player who has dramatically improved his shooting efficiency and scoring output over the past two years.
Key Career Milestones
- 2019: Led Australian Under-18 Championships in scoring with 26.6 points per game
- July 2019: Averaged tournament-high 19.2 points at NBA Academy Games in Atlanta
- 2020-21: Signed with Cairns Taipans via Next Stars program at age 17
- 2021-22: Transferred to Adelaide 36ers for final Next Stars contract year
- April 2022: Signed with Southland Sharks for New Zealand NBL season
- September 2022: Joined NBA G League Ignite, named to Next Up Game
- June 2023: Drafted 47th overall by Lakers
- November 2025: Career-high 32-point game for Cairns Taipans
- March 2026: Signed with Mykonos (Greek Basketball League)
- July 2025: Named to first New Zealand Tall Blacks squad for FIBA Asia Cup
National Team Participation
King represents New Zealand internationally as a member of the Tall Blacks national team. In July 2025, he was named to his first Tall Blacks squad ahead of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. By November 2025, he earned another call-up for the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
This dual national eligibility (New Zealand and U.S. citizenship) has expanded his international opportunities and raised his profile in both hemispheres.
Family Basketball Pedigree
King comes from an extensive basketball family. His father, Leonard King, is American and played college basketball for Florida A&M University Rattlers before coaching in New Zealand and Australia. His mother, Tracey King (née Paul), is a New Zealand native who played NCAA basketball for Duquesne University.
His older sister, Tylah King, played for the University of Pacific in the NCAA, and his maternal grandfather, John Paul, coached basketball in Otago for over 50 years, becoming one of New Zealand's most prominent basketball figures.
"King's maternal grandfather coached basketball in Otago for over 50 years and is one of the region's most prominent basketball figures"
Draft Rights Trade to Pelicans
On June 17, 2025, the Indiana Pacers traded King's draft rights to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the Pacers' 2026 first-round pick (previously acquired in the Brandon Ingram trade). The Pelicans viewed King as a potential hidden gem with untapped development potential.
This trade positions King for a possible Summer League return with the Pelicans in 2025, though he ultimately signed with Mykonos instead.
What This Means for Lakers Draft History
King's journey illustrates the challenges second-round picks face in earning NBA opportunities. The Lakers have a history of finding late-round value, but King's path has taken him entirely overseas. His international success demonstrates that draft position doesn't determine ultimate potential, particularly for international prospects adjusting to American systems.
For Lakers fans tracking the 47th pick, King represents both the promise and frustration of second-round drafting in the modern NBA - immense potential paired with limited organizational investment.
Final Thoughts on the Lakers 47 Player Story
Mojave King's unexpected attention in 2026 stems from genuine performance improvement, not viral hype. His 32-point explosion for Cairns, career efficiency ratings, and move to Greece demonstrate a player maximizing opportunities outside the NBA spotlight. For sports enthusiasts following draft prospects, King's story provides a compelling case study in international player development.
As King continues his career with Mykonos and potentially returns to NBA consideration through the Pelicans organization, the \"Lakers 47 player\" moniker will remain tied to one of the most intriguing second-round stories of the 2020s.
Helpful tips and tricks for Lakers 47 Player Is Getting Unexpected Attention Now
What does \"Lakers 47 player\" mean?
The term \"Lakers 47 player\" refers to Mojave King, who was selected with the 47th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft, even though his draft rights were immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers.
Why is Mojave King getting attention now in 2026?
King gained unexpected attention after scoring a career-high 32 points on 13-of-16 shooting for the Cairns Taipans on November 7, 2025, and signing with Greek Basketball League team Mykonos on March 7, 2026.
Has Mojave King ever played in the NBA?
No, King has never appeared in an official NBA regular-season game. He played 15 games for the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League during 2023-24, averaging 3.9 points in 8.9 minutes per game.
What team does Mojave King play for now?
As of March 2026, King plays for Mykonos of the Greek Basketball League (GBL), his highest-profile international contract to date.
Is Mojave King still connected to the Lakers?
Technically yes - the Lakers drafted him 47th overall in 2023 - but his draft rights were traded immediately to the Pacers, then later to the Pelicans in June 2025, so he has no current organizational ties to Los Angeles.
What are Mojave King's standout statistics?
King recorded a career-high 35 efficiency rating in 2025, scored 32 points in a single NBL game on November 7, 2025, and improved his three-point shooting to 42.1% during the 2025-26 season.