Many NBA Draft picks have found their way to Sioux Falls, South Dakota throughout the years. Most recently, two members of the 2019 NBA Draft class have donned Skyforce jerseys, in KZ Okpala and Kyle Guy. As the NBA G League has grown, so too has its viability as a developmental pathway for soon-to-be NBA contributors. This has meant that more and more young players are spending time in the G League to begin their careers.

During the 2021-22 campaign, the Skyforce rostered four players who heard their name called on draft night: Brandon Knight, Chandler Hutchison, Mario Chalmers and Guy. That marked the most drafted players on a Sioux Falls roster since the 2016-17 season, with the likes of first round talent in Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez.

Sioux Falls' history with former NBA Draft picks extends far beyond the last few seasons, though. NBA legend Darryl Dawkins played for the Skyforce at the tail end of his career. Amir Johnson was one of the the first NBA assignment players to play in Sioux Falls after the Skyforce entered the NBA G League in 2006. Skyforce legend Randy Livingston, who played most of his career in the CBA and NBA G League, all make appearances on the list. Every story is unique.

Though the Skyforce may not have been a team they anticipated spending time with in their career, this list is anything but a "drop out" list. Most, if not all, of these players used their time in Sioux Falls as either a springboard into a full-time NBA position or to revitalize their career as a veteran athlete.

We've highlighted a few of our favorite former NBA Draft picks below, followed by a full list of additional Skyforce alumni who at one point heard their names called on Draft Night.

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2019 KZ Okpala, Phoenix Suns, Rd 2, Pick 2, Overall 32

The Phoenix Suns selected KZ Okpala with the 32 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft on behalf of the Miami HEAT, who had traded up with the Suns to nab him. Okpala, who just completed his second NBA season and is now representing Nigeria in the Tokyo Olympics, was drafted as a well-liked prospect and has taken strides (especially on defense) since entering the league.

During the 2019-20 season, Okpala appeared in 20 games while on assignment with the Skyforce (20 starts) and averaged 11.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. He, along with others on the most recent Skyforce roster, began to hit his stride down the stretch prior to the NBA G League shutdown due to COVID-19 concerns.

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2019 Kyle Guy, Sacramento Kings, Rd 2, Pick 25, Overall 55

After a decorated collegiate career at Virginia, where Guy helped lead the Cavaliers to be 2019 National Champions, the Sacramento Kings selected him in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Guy would go on to play parts of two seasons with the Kings from 2019-2021, as he appeared in 33 games, while he averaged 2.1 points on 36.5 percent shooting in 5.4 minutes per game. As a rookie in 2019-20, with HEAT guard and former Skyforce player Gabe Vincent, Guy lit up the G League, as he averaged 21.5 points on 41.3 percent shooting (40.1 percent from three), 4.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per 36.9 minutes a game in 37 games (29 starts) for Stockton.

In the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Guy played on the Cleveland Charge in the Showcase Cup. In 11 starts, he averaged 21.8 points on 44.6 percent shooting (36.3 percent from three), 4.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per 35.0 minutes a game. His play helped him earn an NBA Call-Up, where he signed two 10-day contracts with the Miami HEAT in January, which eventually turned to a two-way contract. In 19 games for Miami, Guy posted 3.9 points on 40 percent shooting (35 percent from three), 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per 8.9 minutes. He was allocated to the Skyforce in March to help the team for a playoff push, where he appeared in six games, and averaged 15.7 points on 47.8 percent shooting (40.5 percent from deep), 3.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds per 29.4 minutes.

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2018 Chandler Hutchison, Chicago Bulls, Rd 1, Pick 22

After four stellar years at Boise State, Hutchison was drafted 22 overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2017 NBA Draft. He showed that capability throughout the 2021-22 season, where he posted four double doubles and seven games of shooting over 50 percent with eight-or-more field goal attempts. His length, at 6-7, provided a mismatch on both ends of the floor.

After spending parts of five seasons in the NBA with three teams, where he averaged 5.4 points on 44.2 percent shooting, 0.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per 17.4 minutes in 103 games (25 starts), Hutchison landed with the Skyforce on January 31, 2022. He started in 20 games, averaging 11.4 points on 43.5 percent shooting, 3.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds per 36.2 minutes for Kasib Powell in Sioux Falls.

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2016 Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets, Rd 1, Pick 19

After being drafted 19th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2016 NBA Draft, Malik Beasley spent much of his rookie year moving back and forth between Denver and Sioux Falls while playing on assignment. It didn't take him long to prove his worth. Beasley quickly became known as Malik "BEAST-ley" during his time in Sioux Falls, and quickly became a quality rotation player for the Nuggets over the first few years of his career.

In total, Beasley appeared in 16 games (12 starts) while on assignment with the Skyforce, averaging 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

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2014 Jarnell Stokes, Utah Jazz, Rd 2, Pick 5, Overall 35

Though it was the Utah Jazz who selected Jarnell Stokes with the 35th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies were the ones calling the shots via trade. Stokes began his career with the Grizzlies before being acquired by the Miami HEAT during the 2015-16 season.

The rest is history.

Stokes played out the majority of his stint with the Miami HEAT on assignment in Sioux Falls. Later, when the HEAT released Stokes at the trade deadline, he returned to Sioux Falls to finish what he had started. By "finish what he started" we mean win NBA G League MVP honors, followed by NBA G League Finals MVP recognition and the first league championship for the Force since entering the G League. It was an incredible run, one that has him firmly cemented as one of the greatest players in Skyforce franchise history.

In 28 games during the 2015-16 season, Stokes averaged 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds again while shooting over 66 percent from the field. Stokes would later go on to appear in six more contests with the Skyforce during the 2018-19 season before departing a second time.

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2011 Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons, Rd 1, Pick 8

The third highest NBA Draft pick to ever don a Skyforce jersey was also the team's 2021 first round G League draft pick, as well. His steady play helped him earn two different NBA Call-Ups with the Dallas Mavericks this past season.

Knight, who has spent parts of nine NBA seasons, averaged 14.0 points on 41.1 percent shooting, 3.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds per 29.3 minutes a game in 451 games (349 starts). He led the team in the Showcase Cup, averaging 21.3 points on 39.7 percent shooting, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 11 starts for Sioux Falls.

With NBA scouts in attendance, Knight earned his first NBA Call-Up at the G League Showcase in Las Vegas. In three appearances with the Mavericks, Knight posted back-to-back games scoring in double digits, with an 18-point, five-assist outing on December 27 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Upon returning to the Force for the 2022 regular season, he averaged 14.1 points on 38.9 percent shooting, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per 26.3 minutes in 10 appearances. Knight scored 15-plus points in five of his last night games with Sioux Falls to earn his final NBA Call-Up on March 29 with Dallas.

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2011 DeAndre Liggins, Orlando Magic, Rd 2, Pick 23, Overall 53

DeAndre Liggins, who was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 53rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, is the definition of an NBA journeyman. Liggins wound up playing roughly 2.5 seasons in Sioux Falls, highlighted by stellar campaigns in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons.

Liggins is a 2x NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, NBA Champion and former NBA Call-Up. In total, he appeared in 101 games (95 starts) for the Skyforce while averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per contest.

Liggins played for a plethora of NBA organizations throughout his tenure, including the Orlando Magic, The Oklahoma City Thunder, the Miami HEAT, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks and the New Orleans Pelicans.

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2010 Hassan Whiteside, Sacramento Kings, Rd 2, Pick 3, Overall 33

Whiteside's path to the NBA is a unique one. After being selected 33rd overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft, Whiteside spent time with the Reno Bighorns (then-Kings G League affiliate) each of his first two seasons as a pro. After being released by the Kings, Whiteside was claimed by the Sioux Falls Skyforce via the available player pool in 2012.

Whiteside's first stint in Sioux Falls was anything but glorious, appearing in just seven games prior to being traded to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was then out of the league entirely during the 2013-14 season before his rights were acquired by the Iowa Wolves in 2014, who were then affiliated with the Memphis Grizzlies.

He was a different player entirely, one that the HEAT saw fit to pounce on before anyone else could. The HEAT traded for Whiteside's rights during the 2014-15 season, and Whiteside appeared in one game on assignment in Sioux Falls that year scoring 21 points on 10-of-11 FG, adding 12 rebounds and collecting four blocked shots.

He went on to become the first NBA player to sign a max contract after being on a league minimum deal with the Miami HEAT in advance of the 2016 season. He recently signed a new contract to return to the Sacramento Kings prior to the 2020-21 season.

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2008 Mario Chalmers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Rd 2, Pick 4, Overall 34

After winning the 2008 National Championship with the Kansas Jayhawks, Mario Chalmers was selected 34 overall to the Timberwolves before being traded to the Miami HEAT on draft night. The rest is history.

The two-time NBA Champion went on to spent parts of nine seasons in the NBA, where he averaged 8.9 points on 41.7 percent shooting, 3.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds per 26.7 minutes in 646 total games (400 starts). Chalmers appeared in two games for the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League Winter Showcase, where he averaged 8.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per 27.9 minutes a game. His play earned him an NBA Call-Up with the HEAT on December 31. Chalmers joined the Skyforce for the 2022 regular season and immediately impacted the game with his veteran presence and did what he's done his whole career -- quarterbacked the offense. In 31 starts, Chalmers averaged 11.3 points on 38.3 percent shooting, 5.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per 25.5 minutes.

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2008 Henry Walker, Washington Wizards, Rd 2, Pick 17, Overall 47

Henry Walker was selected 47th overall by the Washington Wizards during the 2008 NBA Draft, though it was the Boston Celtics who had acquired his draft rights via a draft day trade. The majority of Walker's NBA career was played prior to when he appeared in Sioux Falls for the first time, splitting time with Boston and the New York Knicks over the first four years of his professional career.

Walker joined the Skyforce prior to the 2013-14 season, and almost immediately became a fan favorite. He would ultimately earn an NBA Call-Up to the Miami HEAT during the 2014-15 season where he remained for the rest of the year.

In total, Walker appeared in 90 games (46 starts) for Sioux Falls, averaging 14.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He also sits in fourth place in Skyforce franchise history with 231 career three-pointers made.

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2005 Jarrett Jack, Denver Nuggets, Rd 1, Pick 22

Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson were both drafted in the 2005 NBA Draft, but their stints with the Skyforce were separated by over a decade of NBA Basketball. After 13 seasons in the NBA, Jack joined the Skyforce in hopes of proving he still could play at a high level coming off of an ACL tear.

He appeared in one game for the Force during the 2018-19 season, dropping 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds in three quarters before suffering another setback. It was a torn ACL again.

Less than a year later, Jack returned to Sioux Falls during the 2019-20 season and served as the engine for what was a surging Skyforce team prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. Jack appeared in 25 games that season (20 starts) and averaged 15.6 points, 5.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in under 25 minutes per game.

After a stint on the inaugural G League Ignite team in 2021, Jack just finished his first year as a coach with the Phoenix Suns, as the team was the first seed from the Western Conference in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

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2005 Amir Johnson, Detroit Pistons, Rd 2, Pick 26, Overall 56

Amir Johnson marked one of the last players allowed to be drafted to the NBA straight out of high school. After being selected in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft, he was in need of some further development. It was because of this that Johnson became one of the first "official" NBA Assignment players for the Sioux Falls Skyforce as a member of the NBA G League along with teammate Will Blalock.

Johnson appeared in 22 games (22 starts) while on assignment with the Force, averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds while shooting nearly 75 percent from the field. He was NBA-ready, and went on to put together a successful 14-year NBA career.

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1989 Stacey King, Chicago Bulls, Rd 1, Pick 6

Stacey King was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 6th overall pick of the 1989 NBA Draft, and went on to win three-straight NBA Championships alongside Michael Jordan and the rest of the Chicago Bulls between 1991-93.

It wasn't until 1997 that King joined the Skyforce as a player, appearing in 37 games over the course of two seasons and averaging 13.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. He then served a brief stint as Head Coach of the Skyforce during the 2002-03 season.

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1975 Darryl Dawkins, Philadelphia 76ers, Rd 1, Pick 5

The late Darryl Dawkins' NBA resume needs no further explanation. "Chocolate Thunder" spent 14 seasons in the NBA between when he was drafted in 1975 and his final stint with the Detroit Pistons which ended in 1989.

Long-time Skyforce fans will remember the waves Dawkins made locally when it was announced he was joining the Skyforce during the 1995-96 season. In total, he averaged 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22 games played (four starts), earning CBA All-Star honors in 1996. Though Dawkins departed before the season was over, Sioux Falls went on to win its first CBA Championship that season.

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Other former Skyforce players selected on draft night (in chronological order) include:

2017 Davon Reed, Phoenix Suns, Rd 2, Pick 2, Overall 32

2016 Juancho Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets, Rd 1, Pick 15

2016 AJ Hammons, Dallas Mavericks, Rd 2, Pick 16, Overall 46

2015 Josh Richardson, Miami HEAT, Rd 2, Pick 10, Overall 40

2014 Shabazz Napier, Charlotte Hornets, Rd 1, Pick 24

2013 Alex Oriakhi, Phoenix Suns, Rd 2, Pick 27, Overall 57

2012 Justin Hamilton, Philadelphia 76ers, Rd 2, Pick 15, Overall 45

2011 Andrew Goudelock, Los Angeles Lakers, Rd 2, Pick 16, Overall 46

2011 Keith Benson, Atlanta Hawks, Rd 2, Pick 18, Overall 48

2010 Dexter Pittman, Miami HEAT, Rd 2, Pick 2, Overall 32

2010 Jarvis Varnado, Miami HEAT, Rd 2, Pick 11, Overall 41

2009 Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves, Rd 1, Pick 6

2009 Byron Mullens, Dallas Mavericks, Rd 1, Pick 24

2008 Alexis Ajinca, Charlotte Bobcats, Rd 1, Pick 20

2007 Gabe Pruitt, Boston Celtics, Rd 2, Pick 2, Overall 32

2007 Demetris Nichols, Portland Trail Blazers, Rd 2, Pick 23, Overall 53

2006 Quincy Douby, Sacramento Kings, Rd 1, Pick 19

2006 Craig Smith, Minnesota Timberwolves, Rd 2, Pick 6, Overall 36

2006 Alexander Johnson, Indiana Pacers, Rd 2, Pick 15, Overall 45

2005 Johan Petro, Seattle SuperSonics, Rd 1, Pick 25

2003 Jerome Beasley, Miami HEAT, Rd 2, Pick 4, Overall 33

2002 Corsley Edwards, Sacramento Kings, Rd 2, Pick 29, Overall 57

1996 Randy Livingston, Houston Rockets, Rd 2, Pick 13, Overall 42

1993 Leonard White, Los Angeles Clippers, Rd 2, Pick 26, Overall 53

1991 Bobby Phills, Milwaukee Bucks, Rd 2, Pick 18, Overall 45

1990 Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix Suns, Rd 2, Pick 21, Overall 48

1989 Ricky Blanton, Phoenix Suns, Rd 2, Pick 19, Overall 46

1988 Corey Gaines, Seattle SuperSonics, Rd 3, Pick 15, Overall 65

1987 Eric White, Detroit Pistons, Rd 3, Pick 19, Overall 65

1985 Greg Stokes, Philadelphia 76ers, Rd 2, Pick 9, Overall 33

1985 Ralph Lewis, Boston Celtics, Rd 6, Pick 23, Overall 139

1983 Jim Lampley, Dallas Mavericks, Rd 5, -- , Overall 102