Player Recap: Josh Christopher

Josh Christopher joined the Skyforce at the beginning of the regular season and made an impact on-and-off the court and became a fan favorite by the end of the season.

Skyforce fans got their first look at Christopher on Jan. 7, as he posted 34 points on 8-12 FGA, five rebounds and six assists at the Sanford Pentagon with the Salt Lake City Stars. He posted 26 points on 8-10 FGA (8-8 3PA) in the first half and was virtually unstoppable.

"We got a taste of what he can do and who he is during that game," Skyforce head coach Kasib Powell said. "We really didn't have an answer for him and when the opportunity came to bring him on (to the Skyforce), it was a no-brainer. His talent is through the roof and it's only a matter of time before he's back in the NBA."

A little over a week later, he joined Sioux Falls, who was rolling through the first through weeks of the regular season. He took multiple roles in stride, from coming off the bench to start his Skyforce tenure, to ending the playoffs as a focal point in the system.

Christopher appeared in 18 games for Sioux Falls and averaged 15.8 points on 43.9 FG%, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per 27.4 minutes a game.

"He joined our team when we were 9-0," Powell said. "That is really tough to do, especially with how talented he is. He had the right mindset from day one and was very intentional with how he approached being a good teammate. For a first round pick to come in and accept a role of the bench goes to show who he is as a person."

On Feb. 14 at Texas, he poured in 29 points on 11-22 FGA (5-9 3PA), six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He followed that up with 23 points against his former team.

In a much needed victory in a tight Western Conference race, Christopher torched the Memphis Hustle for 40 points on 14-22 FGA, 10 rebounds and four assists.

He would finish the regular season with 22+ points in three of his last five games and showcase his first round talent with 23.6 points on 46.9 FG%, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per 23.6 minutes per game during that stretch.

"His approach paid off down the stretch," Powell said. "Josh was able to get a feel for how we do things and make an impact in extended minutes and really made the most of the situation. He will be able to look back at this season and stint as something that made him better."