GAME PREVIEW • Skyforce vs Ignite • 10-31-21

PREVIEW: SKYFORCE VS. G LEAGUE IGNITE

Skyforce basketball is back; after more than 19 months away, the Sioux Falls Skyforce embark on their first game since March 7, 2020. In what will be the first ever matchup between the highly touted G League Ignite squad, first-year Skyforce Head Coach Kasib Powell squares off against another rookie Head Coach in Jason Hart. Powell enters his fourth year with the organization as a coach and the 21st Head Coach in team history. He is an inaugural member of the Skyforce Basketball Hall of Fame after he became the first MVP in the organization’s history, winning G League MVP honors in 2008. Featuring an almost entirely new roster compared to 2019-20, Powell and the Skyforce will look to get back into the playoff mix after a four-year drought.

https://twitter.com/SFSkyforce/status/1438586048662155273

Led by Miami HEAT two-way player Marcus Garrett, nine-year NBA veteran Brandon Knight, Ja’Vonte Smart and Dru Smith, the Force will likely rely on the strength of its guard play this season.

Sioux Falls will look to utilize the services of 6-10 center Micah Potter, out of Wisconsin. Potter looks to build on a productive preseason with the Miami HEAT, where he averaged 10.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in three contests. Potter posted 16 points and 16 rebounds on 10/14/21 against the Atlanta Hawks, along with 13 points and 17 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs on 10/8/21.

https://twitter.com/BallyHEAT/status/1447742941116735488

In year-two of G League Ignite, the team continues their success of acquiring five-star recruits. Last year, they boasted three draft picks in the NBA, highlighted by Jalen Green drafted second to the Houston Rockets and Jonathan Kuminga seventh to the Golden State Warriors. This year, they feature three five-star prospects: Jaden Hardy, Michael Foster, Jr. and Scoot Henderson. The team also features two top international prospects: Dyson Daniels (Australia) and Fanbo Zeng (China).

G League Ignite also boasts the Skyforce’s second ever NBA assignee (2006-07 with the Detroit Pistons), Amir Johnson, as a veteran on the roster. Johnson played on G League Ignite with former Skyforce standout and 15-year NBA veteran Jarrett Jack in the 2020-21 G League Bubble, as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVlRmbTJZKD/

WHAT: Skyforce vs. G League Ignite
WHEN: 3:00 PM CST, October 31
WHERE: Sanford Pentagon
WATCH: NBA TV
TICKETS: Ticketmaster.com