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SKYFORCE ACQUIRES RETURNING PLAYER RIGHTS TO JARED HARPER AND CHEICK DIALLO

By Sioux Falls Skyforce Staff /August 25, 2022

Rights Acquired in Trades with Birmingham and Motor City

The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that the team has acquired the returning player rights to guard Jared Harper from the Birmingham Squadron and forward Cheick Diallo from the Motor City Cruise. Both trades are not subject to a physical.

In addition to the returning player rights to Harper, the Skyforce has received the Birmingham Squadron’s first round pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA G League Draft. The Squadron has received the returning player rights to Javonte Smart and the Skyforce’s third round pick in the 2022 NBA G League Draft.

Sioux Falls received Motor City’s first round pick in the 2023 NBA G League Draft in addition to the returning rights to Diallo, as well. The Cruise received the returning player rights to Micah Potter and the Skyforce’s second round pick in the 2023 NBA G League Draft.

Harper, a 6-0, 175-pound guard out of Auburn has appeared in 16 total NBA games for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 2.6 points on 44.1 percent shooting, 0.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per 4.2 minutes a game.

Harper has also appeared in 68 games in the NBA G League and has averaged 21.1 points on 45.0 percent shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per 31.8 minutes a game for the Northern Arizona Suns, Westchester Knicks and Birmingham Squadron. In 2021-22 his play earned him a spot on the 2022 All-NBA G League Third Team as he averaged 21.2 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 3.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per 34.0 minutes. Harper was also a member of the 2021 NBA All-G League First Team, where he averaged 21.3 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per 33.1 minutes with the Knicks.

Diallo, a 6-8, 219-pound forward out of Kansas has appeared in 183 total NBA games for the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons. He averaged 5.2 points on 59.6 percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per 11.9 minutes a game.

He has also appeared in 58 NBA G League games for the Greensboro Swarm, Austin Spurs, Long Island Nets and Motor City Cruise. Diallo has averaged 14.7 points on 58.3 percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per 24.9 minutes a game. His 23.5 points on 66.6 percent shooting and 16 rebounds per game at the 2022 NBA G League Winter Showcase earned him a spot on the 2022 NBA G League Showcase First Team.

Season tickets, flex packs, family plans and birthday party reservations are all on sale now. For more information on becoming part of Force Nation, please contact a representative at 605-332-0605 or by visiting the Skyforce offices at 2131 S. Minnesota Ave.