LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Major League Fishing Toyota Series pro Todd Kline of San Clemente, California, didn’t just earn a heavy trophy and a giant cardboard check earlier this year after winning the first Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse event at Lake Havasu to kick off the season. The California pro was also named the Honorary Captain earlier this week for his hometown Los Angeles Clippers basketball team when they faced off against the Chicago Bulls in an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

“It was an amazing experience,” Kline said. “Walking out on the court in L.A. and seeing the stars and celebrities sitting courtside in the crowd – pretty awesome. The whole experience was incredible. My mom was in town visiting and it was great to have her there to experience it with me.

“I am a big Clippers fan. My friend and NBA legend Brian Shaw is the assistant coach, and Paul George is a bass fisherman and a friend as well,” Kline continued. “It’s nearing the end of the season and every game is important for them to make sure they are solid heading into the playoffs. I need to give a huge thank you to the Los Angeles Clippers for the opportunity to represent my sponsors, MLF, and WON Bass on the major platform the NBA offers. What an awesome night.”

In an exciting game that had playoff ramifications for both teams, Kline’s Clippers bested the Bulls 124-112. Surely Kline’s presence as honorary captain played a role in the victory.

With two regular-season events in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse now complete, Kline sits in second place in the Western Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 506 points, just two points behind leader Nick Salvucci of Atascadero, California, who has 508 points.

The next event for Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse anglers will be the third and final regular-season event of the year – the Toyota Series at the California Delta Presented by Psycho Tuna, April 19-21, in Oakley, California. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The 2023 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST V. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2023 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 2-4 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, and is hosted by ExploreBranson.com.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Toyota Series include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Black Rifle Coffee Company, E3, Favorite Fishing, Fox Rent a Car, General Tire, Gill, Grundéns, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Next Gen Lithium, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.