South Bay Lakers 2017-18 Roster and Statistics

Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The South Bay Lakers’ 2017-18 season launched a new identity for the franchise after a decade as the Los Angeles D-Fenders, but many of the organization’s familiar characteristics remained intact. As the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, South Bay regularly incorporated NBA assignments into a roster that mixed prospects with experienced minor-league talent. Alex Caruso emerged as one of the season’s biggest success stories, using his time in South Bay to strengthen his case for a permanent NBA role, while Thomas Bryant dominated around the basket and developed into one of the league’s top young centers. The team also featured assignment appearances from promising Lakers prospects, reflecting the parent club’s growing emphasis on player development. Although South Bay fell short of a deep playoff run, the inaugural season under the new name is notable for helping launch several careers that would later flourish at the NBA level.

Roster

NO.	PLAYER NAME	POS	HT	WT	DATE OF BIRTH	COLLEGE
0	Gary Payton II	G	6 ft 2 in	195 lb	December 1, 1992	Oregon State
0	James Southerland	F	6 ft 8 in	221 lb	April 28, 1990	Syracuse
3	Josh Hart	SG	6 ft 5 in	215 lb	March 6, 1995	Villanova
4	Alex Caruso	G	6 ft 5 in	186 lb	February 28, 1994	Texas A&M
5	Ian Baker	G	6 ft 0 in	190 lb	February 9, 1993	New Mexico State
7	Demarcus Holland	G	6 ft 4 in	179 lb	March 2, 1994	Texas
8	Scott Machado	G	6 ft 1 in	201 lb	November 8, 1990	Iona
10	Andre Ingram	G	6 ft 3 in	184 lb	November 19, 1985	American
13	Stephaun Branch	G	6 ft 5 in	208 lb	November 7, 1995	West Georgia
14	V.J. Beachem	F	6 ft 8 in	205 lb	July 15, 1994	Notre Dame
17	Vander Blue	SG	6 ft 4 in	196 lb	July 17, 1992	Marquette
20	Stephen Zimmerman	C	6 ft 11 in	240 lb	September 9, 1996	UNLV
21	Travis Wear	PF	6 ft 9 in	219 lb	September 21, 1990	UCLA
25	Robert Heyer	GF	6 ft 5 in	205 lb	March 1, 1992	Boise State
31	Thomas Bryant	C	6 ft 9 in	248 lb	July 31, 1997	Indiana
40	Ivica Zubac	C	7 ft 0 in	240 lb	March 18, 1997	KK Mega Bemax
55	Michael Holyfield	C	6 ft 11 in	270 lb	November 18, 1992	Sam Houston State

Regular Season Per Game

PLAYER NAME	POS.	AGE	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TOV	FGA	FGM	FG%	3PA	3PM	3P%	FTA	FTM	FT%
Scott Machado	G	27	46	22	31.4	15.9	3.8	8.5	1.0	0.1	3.1	12.3	5.5	.450	3.8	1.5	.405	3.7	3.3	.884
Thomas Bryant	C	20	37	35	30.7	19.7	7.3	2.1	0.6	1.5	1.6	12.9	7.7	.597	5.0	1.8	.364	3.7	2.5	.674
Alex Caruso	G	24	29	25	30.7	19.0	3.8	7.7	2.0	0.4	4.2	13.0	6.5	.499	3.8	1.5	.387	5.5	4.5	.824
Travis Wear	PF	27	34	29	29.7	16.2	8.1	1.9	0.7	0.4	1.2	13.0	5.8	.445	6.9	2.9	.419	2.0	1.7	.855
Stephaun Branch	G	22	50	7	21.5	10.6	5.8	1.1	1.3	0.8	1.5	9.7	4.1	.423	2.8	0.9	.314	2.5	1.5	.591
Demarcus Holland	G	23	50	45	25.4	8.6	4.6	1.9	1.1	0.1	1.5	7.2	3.4	.474	2.0	0.7	.340	1.4	1.0	.722
Andre Ingram	G	32	47	7	22.8	9.1	2.5	1.1	0.6	0.2	0.7	6.4	3.0	.465	4.6	2.2	.475	1.1	0.9	.824
V.J. Beachem	F	23	36	18	19.8	8.6	2.3	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.6	7.1	3.1	.435	4.1	1.6	.399	0.9	0.8	.875
Ivica Zubac	C	20	14	14	29.9	21.7	9.1	1.6	0.4	2.2	2.3	15.6	9.5	.610	0.4	0.1	.167	3.1	2.6	.860
Gary Payton II	G	25	17	2	28.5	17.2	6.1	4.9	1.8	0.6	3.2	14.6	6.9	.472	3.5	0.8	.233	3.7	2.6	.714
Vander Blue	SG	25	15	13	34.7	19.0	3.5	5.3	1.5	0.1	2.7	16.4	6.4	.390	6.5	2.1	.330	4.9	4.1	.824
Robert Heyer	GF	25	39	19	20.0	5.3	3.3	1.1	0.7	0.1	0.7	3.9	2.0	.500	2.4	1.0	.426	0.4	0.3	.733
James Southerland	F	27	13	8	29.2	14.2	5.8	2.0	0.5	1.0	1.5	10.2	5.5	.541	5.4	2.4	.443	0.9	0.7	.750
Stephen Zimmerman	C	21	25	0	15.7	6.5	4.8	1.0	0.6	0.9	1.6	4.3	2.5	.574	0.1	0.0	.000	2.5	1.6	.619
Michael Holyfield	C	25	28	4	11.4	4.9	5.4	0.2	0.1	0.7	0.9	3.4	1.6	.469	0.1	0.0	.000	2.4	1.7	.706
Josh Hart	SG	22	2	2	32.0	18.0	5.5	2.0	1.5	0.5	0.5	16.5	7.0	.424	8.0	2.5	.313	4.0	1.5	.375
Ian Baker	G	25	9	0	7.2	2.4	0.9	1.0	0.2	0.0	1.0	2.6	0.8	.304	1.1	0.4	.400	0.6	0.4	.800

Playoff Per Game

PLAYER NAME	POS.	AGE	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	TOV	FGA	FGM	FG%	3PA	3PM	3P%	FTA	FTM	FT%
Gary Payton II	G	25	3	3	39.7	25.7	9.7	5.7	4.3	2.0	2.7	20.0	11.0	.550	3.3	1.3	.400	4.3	2.3	.538
Thomas Bryant	C	20	3	3	33.7	21.0	8.7	1.3	0.0	2.0	0.3	14.3	8.0	.558	5.7	2.0	.353	3.7	3.0	.818
Scott Machado	G	27	3	3	40.7	19.0	7.0	8.7	0.3	0.0	2.3	17.7	7.0	.396	3.7	1.7	.455	4.0	3.3	.833
Travis Wear	F	27	3	3	33.3	16.7	6.7	1.3	1.0	0.0	1.0	13.7	6.3	.463	6.7	3.3	.500	1.0	0.7	.667
Alex Caruso	G	24	1	0	28.0	20.0	5.0	2.0	3.0	0.0	2.0	15.0	7.0	.467	3.0	0.0	.000	6.0	6.0	1.000
Andre Ingram	G	32	3	0	33.0	12.3	1.3	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	9.3	4.3	.464	6.0	2.7	.444	1.3	1.0	.750
James Southerland	F	27	3	0	14.3	7.3	4.0	1.0	0.3	0.0	0.7	6.0	3.0	.500	2.0	1.0	.500	0.7	0.3	.500
Michael Holyfield	C	25	3	0	13.3	3.7	3.3	0.0	0.3	0.3	0.3	3.0	1.7	.556	0.0	0.0		1.0	0.3	.333
Robert Heyer	F	26	3	3	16.3	2.3	3.3	0.7	0.0	0.0	0.7	3.3	1.0	.300	2.0	0.3	.167	0.0	0.0
V.J. Beachem	F	23	2	0	5.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	2.0	0.0	.000	1.0	0.0	.000	0.0	0.0
Demarcus Holland	G	24	2	0	4.0	0.0	0.0	2.0	0.5	0.0	0.5	1.5	0.0	.000	0.5	0.0	.000	1.0	0.0	.000

Regular Season Totals

PLAYER	POS	AGE	GP	GS	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	FGA	FGM	FG%	3PA	3PM	3P%	FTA	FTM	FT%
Scott Machado	—	—	46	22	1444	730	176	392	48	5	143	565	254	.450	173	70	.405	172	152	.884
Thomas Bryant	—	—	37	35	1135	728	271	77	23	55	61	476	284	.597	184	67	.364	138	93	.674
Travis Wear	—	—	34	29	1010	551	276	66	25	14	42	443	197	.445	234	98	.419	69	59	.855
Alex Caruso	—	—	29	25	889	550	110	224	58	13	121	377	188	.499	111	43	.387	159	131	.824
Stephaun Branch	—	—	50	7	1076	531	290	54	66	39	76	487	206	.423	140	44	.314	127	75	.591
Demarcus Holland	—	—	50	45	1272	428	230	95	54	5	77	361	171	.474	100	34	.340	72	52	.722
Andre Ingram	—	—	47	7	1073	427	119	52	29	8	31	303	141	.465	217	103	.475	51	42	.824
V.J. Beachem	—	—	36	18	714	309	83	18	18	13	23	255	111	.435	148	59	.399	32	28	.875
Ivica Zubac	—	—	14	14	419	304	127	22	5	31	32	218	133	.610	6	1	.167	43	37	.860
Gary Payton II	—	—	17	2	485	293	104	84	31	11	55	248	117	.472	60	14	.233	63	45	.714
Vander Blue	—	—	15	13	520	285	53	79	22	1	40	246	96	.390	97	32	.330	74	61	.824
Robert Heyer	—	—	39	19	781	205	127	44	27	4	29	154	77	.500	94	40	.426	15	11	.733
James Southerland	—	—	13	8	379	184	75	26	6	13	19	133	72	.541	70	31	.443	12	9	.750
Stephen Zimmerman	—	—	25	0	393	163	121	24	15	23	39	108	62	.574	2	0	.000	63	39	.619
Michael Holyfield	—	—	28	4	319	138	151	6	4	20	26	96	45	.469	2	0	.000	68	48	.706
Josh Hart	—	—	2	2	64	36	11	4	3	1	1	33	14	.424	16	5	.313	8	3	.375
Ian Baker	—	—	9	0	65	22	8	9	2	0	9	23	7	.304	10	4	.400	5	4	.800

Playoff Totals

PLAYER	POS	AGE	GP	GS	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	FGA	FGM	FG%	3PA	3PM	3P%	FTA	FTM	FT%
Gary Payton II	—	—	3	3	119	77	29	17	13	6	8	60	33	.550	10	4	.400	13	7	.538
Thomas Bryant	—	—	3	3	101	63	26	4	0	6	1	43	24	.558	17	6	.353	11	9	.818
Scott Machado	—	—	3	3	122	57	21	26	1	0	7	53	21	.396	11	5	.455	12	10	.833
Travis Wear	—	—	3	3	100	50	20	4	3	0	3	41	19	.463	20	10	.500	3	2	.667
Andre Ingram	—	—	3	0	99	37	4	3	0	0	1	28	13	.464	18	8	.444	4	3	.750
James Southerland	—	—	3	0	43	22	12	3	1	0	2	18	9	.500	6	3	.500	2	1	.500
Alex Caruso	—	—	1	0	28	20	5	2	3	0	2	15	7	.467	3	0	.000	6	6	1.000
Michael Holyfield	—	—	3	0	40	11	10	0	1	1	1	9	5	.556	0	0	—	3	1	.333
Robert Heyer	—	—	3	3	49	7	10	2	0	0	2	10	3	.300	6	1	.167	0	0	—
V.J. Beachem	—	—	2	0	11	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	.000	2	0	.000	0	0	—
Demarcus Holland	—	—	2	0	8	0	0	4	1	0	1	3	0	.000	1	0	.000	2	0	.000

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name	Role Tier	MPG	Usage Tier	PPG	RPG	APG	STK	Impact Index	Notes	Awards
Ivica Zubac	Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.1)	29.9	Medium (1.1)	21.7	9.1	1.6	2.6	84.70	Rim-running interior anchor who gave South Bay a reliable high-efficiency scoring option and controlled the glass; his size also translated into real defensive value around the basket. His assignment stint was brief, but he immediately functioned as a featured frontcourt piece. Lakers Exit Interviews: Ivica Zubac Takes Responsibility For Disappointing 2017-18 Season
Alex Caruso	Franchise Floor General (1.05)	30.7	High (1.2)	19.0	3.8	7.7	2.4	82.91	Caruso operated as the primary organizer, combining pick-and-roll creation with aggressive point-of-attack defense. His 7.7 assists reflected how much of South Bay’s offense ran through him, while his two steals per game reinforced his disruptive defensive role. Lakers News: South Bay’s Thomas Bryant, Alex Caruso Make All-NBA G League First And Second Teams	All-NBA G League Second Team (2018)
Vander Blue	Primary Offensive Engine (1.1)	34.7	High (1.2)	19.0	3.5	5.3	1.6	77.62	Blue was the veteran scoring initiator, comfortable attacking off the bounce, creating late-clock offense and putting pressure on defenses with his strength and foul-drawing ability. His short 2017-18 sample followed an MVP-level 2016-17 campaign and carried the responsibilities of a proven G League lead creator. Vander Blue will get a chance to compete in Lakers training camp
Gary Payton II	Two-Way Defensive Catalyst (1.05)	28.5	High (1.2)	17.2	6.1	4.9	2.4	77.11	Payton’s value came from defensive pressure and transition play as much as half-court scoring. He could guard opposing ballhandlers, crash from the backcourt and turn turnovers into instant offense, giving him a broader two-way function than his scoring total alone suggests. Bucks sign point guard Gary Payton II to two-year contract
Thomas Bryant	Offensive Focal Point (1.1)	30.7	Medium (1.1)	19.7	7.3	2.1	2.1	75.50	Bryant served as a featured interior scorer with enough perimeter range to stretch opposing bigs. The development value was particularly important: he was given substantial G League responsibility while learning to turn his physical tools into a more complete offensive package. Lakers News: South Bay’s Thomas Bryant, Alex Caruso Make All-NBA G League First And Second Teams	All-NBA G League First Team (2018); NBA G League All-Rookie Team (2018)
Scott Machado	Pick-and-Roll Engine (1.05)	31.4	High (1.2)	15.9	3.8	8.5	1.1	73.84	Machado was the table-setter, manipulating defenses with ball screens and consistently generating advantages for teammates. His 8.5 assists per game undersell the broader responsibility he carried as South Bay’s primary half-court distributor and tempo controller. Scott Machado: DNP-Hip Sunday
Travis Wear	Stretch-Four Offensive Connector (1.05)	29.7	Medium (1.1)	16.2	8.1	1.9	1.1	63.06	Wear operated as a modern stretch four, pulling opposing forwards away from the paint while still supplying substantial defensive rebounding. His shooting threat opened driving lanes for South Bay’s guards and made him useful in lineups built around spacing. Lakers sign former UCLA star Travis Wear to two-way contract	NBA G League All-Star (2018)
Josh Hart	Transition Wing Scorer (1.0)	32.0	Low (1.0)	18.0	5.5	2.0	2.0	55.00	Hart’s South Bay stint was only two games, so the sample is too small for a broad season evaluation. Within that window he supplied a physical wing scoring presence and showed the rebounding and defensive activity that later became central to his professional profile. Assignment Players – South Bay Lakers
James Southerland	High-Volume Stretch Forward (1.05)	29.2	Medium (1.1)	14.2	5.8	2.0	1.5	54.29	Southerland gave South Bay a veteran scoring-forward option, particularly valuable as a floor spacer who could punish sagging defenses. His arrival from Santa Cruz added another experienced G League scorer to the rotation during the latter part of the season. SYRACUSE HOOP HISTORY
Stephaun Branch	Defensive Utility Wing (1.0)	21.5	Medium (1.1)	10.6	5.8	1.1	2.1	43.12	Branch filled a rugged complementary role, using his size on the wing to rebound, defend and generate extra possessions rather than functioning as a primary creator. The three double-doubles he recorded showed how his energy translated beyond scoring. Jazz waive Branch, Cousins and Lyles
Demarcus Holland	Point-of-Attack Stopper (1.05)	25.4	Medium (1.1)	8.6	4.6	1.9	1.2	37.65	Holland brought a defense-first mentality to the backcourt, with enough shooting and secondary passing to stay useful without monopolizing possessions. His earlier reputation as a perimeter stopper fit naturally into a low-usage, high-responsibility rotation role. Demarcus Holland – South Bay Lakers 2017-18 roster profile
Andre Ingram	Veteran Shooting Specialist (1.0)	22.8	Low (1.0)	9.1	2.5	1.1	0.8	27.00	Ingram’s value centered on elite perimeter shooting and veteran spacing rather than volume creation. He provided a dependable outlet for drive-and-kick possessions and was trusted enough to remain a regular part of South Bay’s rotation despite his limited on-ball role. Lakers Sign G League Veteran Andre Ingram For Remainder Of 2017-18 NBA Season
Stephen Zimmerman	Rebounding Interior Reserve (1.0)	15.7	Low (1.0)	6.5	4.8	1.0	1.5	26.40	Zimmerman functioned primarily as an interior depth piece, using his size to protect the paint and compete for rebounds. His earlier G League experience with Erie had already shown flashes of a more productive interior game before he settled into a smaller South Bay role. Ex-Rebel, Bishop Gorman star Stephen Zimmerman waived by Magic
V.J. Beachem	Floor-Spacing Wing Reserve (1.0)	19.8	Low (1.0)	8.6	2.3	0.5	0.9	24.60	Beachem supplied a straightforward spacing role, operating mainly as a perimeter-oriented forward rather than a possession-heavy creator. His length and shooting profile gave South Bay another option for keeping the floor open around its primary ballhandlers. V.J. Beachem: Get To Know Him
Michael Holyfield	Physical Interior Enforcer (1.0)	11.4	Low (1.0)	4.9	5.4	0.2	0.8	22.60	Holyfield was an interior specialist whose impact came from physical rebounding, screens and paint defense. With limited offensive responsibility, his role was largely about providing size and second-effort possessions in short stretches. Michael Holyfield Player Profile
Robert Heyer	Frontcourt Spacing Reserve (1.0)	20.0	Low (1.0)	5.3	3.3	1.1	0.8	21.00	Heyer occupied a complementary forward role, capable of stretching the floor while contributing modestly on the glass. His path into the roster as a late G League draft selection made his regular rotation presence a developmental opportunity rather than a featured assignment. Robert Heyer – South Bay Lakers 2017-18 profile
Ian Baker	Backup Point Guard (1.0)	7.2	Low (1.0)	2.4	0.9	1.0	0.2	9.00	Baker’s role was extremely limited, with only nine appearances and short shifts behind South Bay’s established creators. The former WAC Player of the Year was primarily being introduced to the professional game and adjusting from a major college lead-guard role. Former All-American Ian Baker Drafted by South Bay Lakers

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoffs Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name	Role Tier	MPG	Usage Tier	PPG	RPG	APG	STK	Impact Index	Notes	Awards
Gary Payton II	Two-Way Defensive Catalyst (1.1)	39.7	High (1.2)	25.7	9.7	5.7	6.3	125.14	Point-of-attack pressure and explosive transition play defined Payton’s playoff role. He attacked the glass from the guard spot and generated offense through defensive activity, then carried South Bay with 28 points and 11 rebounds in the Western Conference Finals loss to Austin. TTL Sports Media
Scott Machado	Franchise Floor General (1.1)	40.7	High (1.2)	19.0	7.0	8.7	0.3	92.40	Machado was the postseason organizer, controlling tempo and repeatedly working the ball through pick-and-roll actions. His 8.7 assists reflected a heavy creation burden, while the conference-final lineup still had him starting alongside Payton, Wear and Bryant. Los Angeles Lakers
Thomas Bryant	Offensive Focal Point (1.1)	33.7	High (1.2)	21.0	8.7	1.3	2.0	79.86	Bryant was South Bay’s interior scoring hub, but his range made the frontcourt harder to defend than a conventional G League center. He erupted for 33 points in the Reno win, including five threes, before continuing as a starting frontcourt piece in the conference final. RealGM	All-NBA G League First Team (2018); NBA G League All-Rookie Team (2018)
Alex Caruso	Two-Way Lead Guard (1.05)	28.0	High (1.2)	20.0	5.0	2.0	3.0	75.60	Caruso provided secondary creation with a defensive edge, coming off the bench in the conference final and immediately attacking the game rather than waiting for touches. His 20-point showing against Austin fit the larger role he had developed as a two-way organizer. TTL Sports Media	NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year voting runner-up (2018); All-NBA G League Second Team (2018)
Travis Wear	Stretch-Four Scoring Forward (1.05)	33.3	Medium (1.1)	16.7	6.7	1.3	1.0	59.37	Wear stretched the defense from the forward spot while still doing the dirty work on the defensive glass. His playoff assignment was interrupted by NBA call-ups, yet he returned for South Bay’s postseason run and remained a starting floor-spacing forward. Los Angeles Lakers
Andre Ingram	Veteran Floor-Spacing Specialist (1.0)	33.0	Medium (1.1)	12.3	1.3	1.0	0.0	32.12	Ingram’s playoff value was tied to movement shooting and veteran composure rather than on-ball creation. After a decade in the developmental league, he was still trusted with meaningful postseason minutes before receiving his long-awaited NBA opportunity immediately after South Bay’s run. Los Angeles Times
James Southerland	Stretch-Forward Reserve (1.0)	14.3	Low (1.0)	7.3	4.0	1.0	0.3	25.20	Southerland supplied quick-release perimeter shooting and frontcourt spacing in a compact playoff role. His limited minutes made him more of a situational scorer than a primary rotation piece, following his midseason move from Santa Cruz to South Bay. Wikipedia
Michael Holyfield	Interior Energy Reserve (1.0)	13.3	Low (1.0)	3.7	3.3	0.0	0.6	15.20	Holyfield’s contribution came through physical interior work, screening and second-effort rebounding rather than designed scoring. He remained a reserve as South Bay shortened its rotation for the single-elimination conference final. RealGM
Robert Heyer	Frontcourt Spacing Reserve (1.0)	16.3	Low (1.0)	2.3	3.3	0.7	0.0	12.60	Heyer functioned as a low-usage forward whose value came from occupying space, moving the ball and competing for rebounds. He remained in the starting group for the conference final, a sign that South Bay valued his positional fit even without asking him to create offense. South Bay Lakers 2017-18 Media Guide
Demarcus Holland	Defensive Utility Guard (1.0)	4.0	Low (1.0)	0.0	0.0	2.0	0.5	5.00	Holland’s playoff opportunity was extremely small, but his defensive reputation explains the roster fit: he entered the season as a local tryout player with a background as a Texas defensive specialist. South Bay used him only briefly as the postseason rotation tightened.
V.J. Beachem	Perimeter Spacing Reserve (1.0)	5.5	Low (1.0)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	1.00	Beachem’s playoff role was minimal, essentially providing another long perimeter option when South Bay needed depth. His brief postseason sample does not support a broader evaluation of his offensive responsibilities.