Shaq Harrison Named 2023-24 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year

South Bay Lakers guard Shaq Harrison has been named the 2023-24 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, it was announced today.

Harrison becomes only the fourth multi-year winner of the award in NBA G League history, having also claimed the honor following the 2021-22 campaign.

In 34 regular season games (31 starts) for South Bay this season, Harrison averaged a league-leading 2.9 steals to go along with 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 34.1 minutes. The former University of Tulsa guard recorded five or more steals in eight games on the year, the most of any player in the G League. His career-high eight thefts against the Rip City Remix on Feb. 2 tied for the most of any player in a single game this season.

The Kansas City, Mo., native led South Bay in steals in 27 of the team’s 34 regular season games while also pacing the Lakers in blocks on three occasions. Harrison led South Bay to a top-five ranking in both steals and blocks per outing.