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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Isaac Bonga Appreciated & Will Always ‘Remember’ Bench Celebrating First Career Point
Lakers News

Lakers News: Isaac Bonga Appreciated & Will Always ‘Remember’ Bench Celebrating First Career Point

Matthew Moreno
Published: 12/09/2018
2 Min Read
Isaac Bonga
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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While the focus from the 2018 NBA Draft for the Los Angeles Lakers largely lied with selecting Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, the team also added Isaac Bonga. Not much was known of the international prospect who was brought stateside for Summer League.

Bonga showed some flashes of his potential during that time and preseason, and he began the 2018-19 campaign with the South Bay Lakers. Being assigned to the G League helped the 19-year-old further acclimate himself with the new organization.

After 12 games with South Bay, Bonga was called up by the Lakers for their road trip. He wasn’t necessarily expected to play much but appeared in both games.

On Saturday, he was sent to the free throw line on a technical foul late in the fourth quarter and made it for his first career point. The Lakers bench celebrated the moment, which is one Bonga said he appreciated and will keep with him, via Spectrum SportsNet:

“It was special. It was special for me coming up from the G League, playing in the last game a little bit, then playing again a little bit. I had my first points, so I’m definitely going to remember that. … I kind of looked to the bench and just saw everybody jumping up. It’s cool. You see we all enjoy moments like that. It’s pretty cool.”

Bonga’s NBA debut came in the final minute of a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, and the following night he played four minutes as the Lakers emptied the bench in a blowout win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

He presumably will remain with the team for the foreseeable future as Brandon Ingram is expected to be sidelined throughout the week until having his sprained ankle re-evaluated. Additionally, Michael Beasley left the Lakers prior to Saturday’s game due to a family health matter.

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TAGGED:Isaac BongaLos Angeles Lakers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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