SEASON PREVIEW: SKYFORCE LOOK TOWARD A SUCCESSFUL SEASON WITH SOME FAMILIAR FACES AND NEW PLAYMAKERS

As we enter November, the Sioux Falls Skyforce is getting ready for another season. It marks the 34th year of Skyforce basketball in Sioux Falls. 
“I’m feeling positive,” second-year head coach Kasib Powell said ahead of the season. “If we get better as a staff and get better as a team, we will be better than last year.”

The Skyforce finished last season with a 17-29 record. With a mid-season COVID outbreak that jostled rosters and demanded a record number of G-League call-ups, it was a chaotic season that left a sour taste for the coaching staff. 

“You never know what this league presents,” Powell said. “There are call-ups, injuries and anything in between. It’s a league that has a lot of turnover. Regardless of that, we’ve got to stay focused on getting better and trying to compete at a very high level and try to better everyone's careers.”

That 17-29 record is in the past and the team looks forward and plans to have a successful 2022-2023 campaign. 

“I feel confident going into year two,” Powell said. “We have better preparation moving into the season than we did last year. I think that will help us get off to a good start and continue into the season.”

The Skyforce roster has a few familiar faces from the 2021-2022 season to rely on. Mychal Mulder, Chandler Hutchison, DJ Stewart, Marcus Garrett and Dru Smith find themselves back in Sioux Falls. Kadeem Jack makes his Sioux Falls return for the first time since playing with the team during the 2017-2018 season. They will look to be leaders for the new guys in the lineup. 

Stewart is someone coach Powell expects to be extremely vocal in his second season. 

“DJ Stewart coming back in his second year will have a bigger voice,” Powell said. “The mixture of vets and young guys we have this year is a better blend. We definitely will have voices that will speak and be leaders throughout the year.” 

Stewart is ready to embrace the challenge and do whatever it takes to shine with his second chance in Sioux Falls. 

“I just want to thank God for another opportunity to be here,” Stewart said. “It’s another opportunity to do what I love and showcase my talent. It’s pretty exciting. I want to be more vocal. I feel like on the court I lead by example. Being more vocal and being able to talk loud on the court and in the locker room is how I will lead.” 

Stewart started the 2021-2022 season with the Skyforce and earned a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. This past summer, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks and was a part of their training camp roster. 

“Both experiences were crazy fun,” Stewart said. “I was with a lot of great guys and a great coaching staff. Everyone there is great. I learned a lot and it was a blessing to be in that presence and get my opportunity.” 

Stewart has his heart set on making it back to the NBA season. In order to do so, he knows that he needs to not only showcase his talents, but he also needs to make sure the Skyforce start their season with wins. 

“Going into the season, knowing what we did last year and how we started, we don’t want to start like that,” Stewart said. “We need to get in and get rolling. My goal is to come back and showcase my talents again, win games and get another call-up.”

While the Skyforce will rely on Stewart and other familiar faces to be leaders, they need some fresh faces to be playmakers. 

“We have young talent,” Powell said. “I am excited about our young guys and mixing them with these vets.”

One new face that looks to make an impact is Jon Elmore.

The West Virginia native attended Marshall University. Elmore played with the Boston Celtics in the 2019 NBA Summer League before winding up in Europe. In his time with the Soproni KC, Elmore averaged 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. 

Although he enjoyed his time in the European leagues, Elmore is happy to be back in the states. 

“It’s been a rollercoaster in Europe,” Elmore said. “A lot of highs and a lot of lows, but it’s been about maintaining that balance and staying level headed. Things aren’t always sunshine and rainbows. It’s been a grind, but it’s opened up doors and opportunities for me like this one. I’m excited to play in the G League this year. 

Watching Elmore this training camp, he oozes confidence. He always makes sure he is making a great play and letting everyone know about it. 

He is a playmaker and he is ready to be an attribute to this team.  

“I think I’m a high-level playmaker,” Elmore said. “I think my number one asset is I make the guys around me better. I put my teammates in positions to succeed. I try to do whatever it takes to win whether that is assists, scoring, defense and being a leader. I want to win ball games.” 

Just like Stewart, Elmore knows where he wants to be. He knows he is capable of being a player in the NBA. 

“My goal is to play in the NBA,” Elmore said. “Whether it’s a contract or a call up or whatever it is. There is glory for all in a winner. So I think if we win games, teams will see me. My job is to try and put us in a position that wins us games. Whatever happens after that is what happens.”

Just like last year, the season tip-off starts Saturday, November 5 at the Wells Fargo Arena against the Iowa Wolves. The Force will play a back-to-back series against the Wolves ahead of their home opener against the Fort Wayne Ants Thursday, November 10 at the Sanford Pentagon. 

At this point, it is pretty safe to say that the Skyforce and the Wolves are in the midst of a great rivalry. 

“It’s a ritual thing, starting the season off against Iowa,” coach Powell said. “It feels like it’s almost necessary. We like playing them. It’s a good test for us every year. To play against a team that plays as hard as they do, as well as they do, it’s a good test for us early in the season.” 

Powell believes the team is ready to compete this weekend and make an early statement. They will do so without playing a preseason game, but the team does not think that is a disadvantage. 

“I think we’ve had a great training camp,” Elmore said. “Guys have got after it and are excited. But I think everyone is excited to finally play against someone else. We’ve been going at it with each other the past couple of weeks and it is time for a different opponent.” 

photos by Shawn Kuhnel