EL SEGUNDO, California. The rise of another young star on the South Bay Lakers roster is once again happening right before our eyes.
If history has taught us anything, it's that the South Bay is more than just a G-League stop, it's a proving ground. Alex Caruso paved his way here. Austin Reeves has perfected his game here. Scottie Pippen Jr. regained the momentum here. Time and time again, the South Bay Lakers produce players who either return to the NBA or make it onto an NBA team.
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Kobe Bufkin looks to be the next name on this list.
Bufkin scored 27 points to lead South Bay to a 113-101 victory over the Memphis Hustle, creating another all-around performance that continues to attract attention across the league. At 22, Bufkin plays with the confidence, poise and sharpness of a man who knows this opportunity won't last forever.
Drafted 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023 out of Michigan, Bufkin entered the league with high expectations. But, as often happens with the young guard, everything did not go as each side initially expected. A new chapter opened on Nov. 13, 2025, when Bufkin was traded from Motor City Cruise, Detroit's G-League affiliate, and landed in the South Bay.
There is a certain poetry in this.
Bufkin was named after the late great Kobe Bryant and now wears the purple and gold in the organization most associated with the Mamba's legacy.
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“Kobe is my favorite player,” Bufkin said. “Just seeing his name on the wall, his pictures, it’s cool.”
This connection is not just symbolic. Bufkin often dons Kobe Bryant's signature sneakers, occasionally switching to Jayson Tatum's JT line, but the influence is clear in his style of play: fearless, aggressive and relentlessly competitive.
South Bay Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin (6) waits to be helped up by his teammates during a G League basketball game between the South Bay Lakers and the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the UCLA Medical Training Center in El Seguendo, California.
Jack Haslett – Sporting Tribune
South Bay Lakers guard Kobe Bufkin (6) waits to be helped up by his teammates during a G League basketball game between the South Bay Lakers and the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the UCLA Medical Training Center in El Seguendo, California.
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Since arriving in the South Bay, Bufkin has been lighting up the boards, averaging 28.3 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his first four regular-season games. Against Memphis, he set the tone early.
Bufkin scored 10 points in the first quarter, sparking a Lakers offense that built a double-digit lead and extended it to 15 points in the first half. Every time Hustle tried to close the gap, Bufkin answered.
The defining sequence of events occurred late in the third quarter. Bufkin drew an offensive foul on a moving screen, popped up again, called for the ball, attacked the lane, took a hard shot, absorbed contact and calmly made the free throw to complete the three-point play and earn his 20th point of the night. This sequence of actions epitomized his way of thinking – firmness, urgency and lack of hesitation.
Bufkin finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 39 minutes, filling the stat sheet and controlling the game's biggest moments.
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“I took advantage of that and got my teammates involved,” Bufkin said. “When they weren’t protecting the rim, I took it to the rim and made shots.”
The backcourt pairing of Bufkin and RJ Davis proved overwhelming for Memphis. Davis controlled the tempo, orchestrated the offense and complemented Bufkin's scoring with 17 points. Together they kept the hustle and bustle out of balance all night.
South Bay also received significant contributions across the board. Anton Watson scored 18 points, Tevian Jones added 14 and Kylor Kelly scored 13 as all five starters finished in double figures. Off the bench, Arthur Kaluma provided an immediate spark, scoring nine points in the first quarter alone and finishing with 16 points, knocking down all three of his attempts from behind the arc.
Despite 28 turnovers, the Lakers found ways to score, shooting an impressive 16 of 35 (45.7%) from 3-point range to build a lead that grew to 16 points in the second half. Defensively, South Bay protected the paint, stopping 14 game-winning shots.
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“Something me and RJ need to discuss,” Bufkin said of the losses. “We slow down, get to reading, but yeah, it’s on us.”
Even after victory, responsibility remains part of Bufkin's approach, another trait reminiscent of the name stitched on his chest.
South Bay now heads to Austin, Texas for a two-game road trip before returning home to host the San Diego Clippers on January 14th. If Bufkin continues on this trajectory, it won't be long before NBA teams start circling again.
“I've seen a lot of things in the league where I've learned to stay calm and keep working,” Bufkin said of the buzz around his name in the league.
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There's another Kobe growing in the South Bay, and this one looks ready for the next shot.
