Player Recap: Kadeem Jack

It was a reunion this season for Kadeem Jack, as Skyforce fans remember him for his energy and impactful dunks and blocks in 2017-18. Four seasons later, he was the heartbeat of the team and provided plenty in his return to Sioux Falls.

"It's a blessing to be back," Jack said at the beginning of the season. "Every time I get to come back (to Sioux Falls) and feel the energy and see familiar faces, it feels great. This is a place that feels like home to me."

The reunion started when Jack was selected sixth overall in the 2022 NBA G League Draft. He would spend the majority of the Showcase Cup in a reserve role as a veteran who's seen it all in the G League.

In a four-game span from Nov. 23-Nov. 30, Jack would secure 12-plus points and seven-plus rebounds three times, highlighted by 15 points on 7-10 FGA and eight rebounds on Nov. 23 in a victory against Grand Rapids.

On Dec. 14, Kadeem posted a double-double of 14 points on 5-5 FGA and 10 rebounds in a victory at Grand Rapids. In the final game at the Winter Showcase, he posted 16 points, nine rebounds and five blocks against Delaware on Dec. 21. Sioux Falls was 6-2 in the Showcase Cup when he had six-plus rebounds.

Jack posted 7.4 points on 57.4 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds per 19.6 minutes in 17 appearances in the Showcase Cup.

With the emergence of Orlando Robinson's two-way contract, Jack was moved into the starting lineup for the majority of the regular season - and showed at 30, he could hold the position, and keep things afloat.

In the first regular season game Jack delivered an 18-point, 11-rebound performance on Dec. 27 at Oklahoma City. On Jan. 13 at Santa Cruz, he had 17 points and 14 rebounds in a victory. In a four-game span from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15, he would secure 48 rebounds.

Back close to his hometown of Queens, NY, he posted 17 points on 6-9 FGA and 11 rebounds in a crucial victory over the Westchester Knicks on Feb. 10.

Jack finished the regular season with an average of 8.0 points on 52.0 percent shooting (40.0 percent from deep), 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per 20.8 minutes in 25 appearances.

"I was brought here to bring energy every day and that attitude of working hard," Jack said. "That's something the coaches are depending on me to do. Playing for Kasib was something I always dreamed of doing, which dates back to when I was here first (Kasib was an assistant coach then)."