Skyforce in the NBA: 2023 Training Camp Edition

As the 2023-24 season begins, we look at former Skyforce players rostered for NBA training camps. There are currently 17 former players in 10 different organizations throughout the NBA with Skyforce ties. Of the 17 alumnus, seven are currently in camp with the Miami HEAT.

DUNCAN ROBINSON | FORWARD (2018-19) | MIAMI HEAT

Robinson is the most prolific and widely known Skyforce alumni on this list, as his improbable journey from DIII to DI and the G League led him to a multi-year contract with the HEAT and now five years of NBA service.

He earned NBA G League All-Rookie Team, All-NBA G League Third Team and Midseason All-NBA G League Western Conference Team honors in 2018-19 with the Force. Robinson averaged 21.4 points on 51.4 percent shooting (48.3 percent from deep), 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per 36.9 minutes a game.

Robinson provided a much-needed spark in the 2023 Playoff run to the NBA Finals, where in 23 appearances, he averaged 9.0 points on 47.5 percent shooting, 1.49 rebounds and 1.7 assists per 18.2 minutes a game.

JOSH RICHARDSON | GUARD (2015-16) | MIAMI HEAT

J-Rich makes his return to the 305 after four seasons away and the place he has found the most success as a professional.

Between the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, Richardson averaged 10.1 points on 43.1 percent shooting, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per 23.5 minutes a game in 65 appearances (10 starts).

As an assignee, in 2015-16 via the HEAT, Richardson started four games for the Skyforce and averaged 23.3 points on 47.3 percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals per 38.2 minutes a game.

Richardson provides a spark needed off the bench for the HEAT and he has the formula with the organization to build upon from his 16.5 points per game in his last season with Miami (2018-19).

NIKOLA JOVIC | FORWARD (2022-23) | MIAMI HEAT

Nikola Jovic was the first HEAT draft pick since Richardson in 2015-16 to be assigned to the Skyforce and showed great potential in his stints in Sioux Falls.

The 27th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft helped push the Skyforce to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. In seven regular season games for Sioux Falls, Niko averaged 12.4 points on 46.7 percent shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per 23.8 minutes a game.

The Serbian product appeared in 15 games for the HEAT as a rookie (eight starts) and averaged 5.5 points on 40.6 percent shooting, 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists per 13.6 minutes a game.

At only 20 years old, the sky is the limit for Jovic, as he flashed major potential of his playmaking, shooting and defensive skills throughout his time in the G League.

ORLANDO ROBINSON | CENTER (2022-23) | MIAMI HEAT

“Big O” put together one of the more dominant seasons in the G League era for the Skyforce this past season.

During the Showcase Cup, he averaged 22.8 points on 55.6 percent shooting, 12.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per 32.3 minutes a game and broke a G League era franchise record with eight consecutive double doubles.

His play earned him multiple NBA Call-Ups with the Miami HEAT, as he appeared in 31 games (one start) for Miami this season and averaged 3.7 points on 52.8 percent shooting and 4.1 rebounds per 13.7 minutes a game. Robinson returned to Sioux Falls only to go 8-1 in the nine games he played in and helped the team make the Western Conference Finals.

His efforts earned him a standard contract with Miami this past offseason and is moving up the developmental ladder for the HEAT.

DRU SMITH | GUARD (2021-23) | MIAMI HEAT

Smith returns to the HEAT after earning an NBA Call-Up with the Brooklyn Nets on a two-way deal in January after spending part of the season an a two-way with the HEAT.

In 15 games (13 starts) for Sioux Falls before his stint with the Nets, he averaged 17.8 points on 48.5 percent shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals per 33.8 minutes a game. He helped the Long Island Nets reach the Eastern Conference Finals and eventually joined the HEAT during the 2023 NBA Summer League.

Smith provides stability and a high basketball IQ at a premium at the guard position. With a full offseason back in the HEAT system, Dru will only improve his stock ahead of the 2023-24 season.

JAMAL CAIN | FORWARD (2022-23) | MIAMI HEAT

Cain returns to the HEAT after spending the whole season on a two-way deal and helping lead the Skyforce to the Western Conference Finals.

In 25 total games with the Force this past season, Cain averaged 20.5 points on 65.6 percent shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per 32.7 minutes a game.

Sioux Falls boasted a 20-5 record this season when Cain was on the floor and his improvement was incremental to the Force’s success this season. Not to mention, he hit the last second three-pointer to send the Force to the conference finals.

After a full year in the HEAT developmental program, Cain looks to make that next jump in his game.

JUSTIN CHAMPAGNIE | FORWARD (2022-23) | MIAMI HEAT

Champagnie was arguably one of the biggest midseason acquisitions in all the NBA G League last season and his play not only helped the Force make the Western Conference Finals, but also earned him a contract with the Boston Celtics to finish the 2022-23 season.

JC averaged 18.2 points on 52.0 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per 31.3 minutes a game in 23 appearances this past season. He netted two of the top four scoring outputs of the year, with a team-high 43 points on Feb. 13 against the Salt Lake City Stars.

Champagnie fits what NBA teams are looking for: size, the ability to score in the flow, tenacious rebounding on both sides of the ball and effort on the defensive side of the ball.

GABE VINCENT | GUARD (2019-20) | LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Gabe Vincent is the prime example of the Miami HEAT player development program. The former two-way player for the Skyforce earned a big pay-day in the offseason with the Lakers after a great 2023 NBA Playoffs.

During the 2019-20 season, Vincent appeared in 11 games with the Skyforce, averaging 16.4 points per game and guiding the Force to a 9-2 record in that span. Vincent was later awarded NBA G League Most Improved Player honors (first ever recipient in Skyforce history) for his efforts. He would go on to play the 2020-21 season on a two-way contract, as well, before signing a multi-year deal with the HEAT.

In 68 games in 2022-23 with the HEAT, Vincent averaged 9.4 points on 40.2 percent shooting, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per 25.9 minutes a game.

MALIK BEASLEY | GUARD (2016-17) | MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Beasley went from Sioux Falls to playing key minutes next in the next to future NBA Hall of Famers in LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the LA Lakers in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Skyforce fans still remember Beasley scoring at a high clip in 2016-17 on Heritage Court, as he delivered 18.9 points on 45.8-percent shooting and added 7.6 rebounds per game.

In 81 games last season (27 starts), Beasley averaged 12.7 points on 39.5 percent shooting, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per 25.8 minutes a game.

Over the offseason, Beasley signed a deal with the Bucks and provides elite shooting and spacing to yet another playoff contender.

TORREY CRAIG | FORWARD (2017-18) | CHICAGO BULLS

Torrey Craig, like Beasley, went from a stint with the Skyforce to helping a Western Conference playoff team in 2022-23.

In 15 games (12 starts) with the Skyforce during the 2017-18 season, Torrey Craig went on a tear. He averaged 22.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest while donning a Skyforce uniform.

In 79 appearances (60 starts), he has averaged 7.4 points on 45.6 percent shooting (career-high 39.5 percent from deep), 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per 24.7 minutes a game for the Suns.

Now with the Bulls, Craig looks to help the Bulls get over the hump and into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff run.

DERRICK JONES | FORWARD (2017-18) | DALLAS MAVERICKS

Jones is making his debut with the Mavericks, as he averaged 5.6 points on 53.8 percent shooting and 3.3 rebounds per 17.6 minutes in 51 games (eight starts) with Chicago last season.

Airplane Mode leaped his way through Sioux Falls during the 2017-18 season as a two-way player with the HEAT. In 13 games (11 starts), Jones, Jr. averaged 19.9 points on 51.2 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per 29.1 minutes a game for the Force.

He looks to continue to be a solid contributor on a Dallas team that looks to return to the playoffs in 2023-24.

RODNEY MCGRUDER | GUARD (2015-16) | GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

McGruder joins the Warriors after three seasons with the Detroit Pistons, where in 51 games (two starts) last year, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per 14.8 minutes a game.

Rodney was a fan favorite on the Skyforce team that steamrolled its way to the 2016 NBA G League championship.

The K-State standout averaged 15.8 points on 51.3 percent shooting, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per 37.5 minutes a game for Dan Craig and the Force.

KHEM BIRCH | FORWARD (2014-15) | SAN ANTONIO SPURS

After three seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Birch transitions to a role with the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2023-24 season.

In a reserve role last season with the Raptors, Birch posted 2.2 points on 48.5 percent shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists per 8.1 minutes.

Birch was a walking double-double for the Skyforce in 2014-15. He averaged 11.2 points on 63.5 percent shooting and 9.5 rebounds that season. He had 16 double doubles in 49 (33 starts) games for Sioux Falls. Birch went on a tear down the stretch, where he had 10-plus rebounds in 13-of-15 games.

OMER YURTSEVEN | CENTER (2022-23) | UTAH JAZZ

Yurtseven made his Skyforce debut in the beginning of March of last season, as he was assigned as part of his rehabilitation. After a multi-year stint in Miami, Yurtseven joins an up-and-coming Utah Jazz team.

In two games for the Force, he averaged 27.5 points on 48.9 percent shooting, 13.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steal per 36.0 minutes.

He would go on to play nine games for the Miami HEAT after his assignment was done, averaging 4.4 points on 59.3 percent shooting and 2.6 rebounds per 9.2 minutes a game.

MYCHAL MULDER | GUARD (2019-22) | MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

After one of the best shooting stints in Skyforce history, Mulder joins the Memphis Grizzlies looking to earn a spot on the team’s NBA roster.

Mulder, who owns the all-time franchise record for three-point makes, also led the NBA G League in deep-ball makes a season ago (129).

He averaged 17.3 points on 43.6 percent shooting (40.3 percent from deep), 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per 36.6 minutes a game last season for the Force.

MICAH POTTER | CENTER (2021-22) | UTAH JAZZ

The NBA G League All-Rookie Team from 2021-22 rejoins the Jazz on the second year of his two-way contract.

Big Jam figured out how to be an efficient pro with Sioux Falls - and found his niche around the perimeter and in the pick-and-roll. In 45 starts for the Force, Potter averaged 16.2 points on 51.3 percent shooting (43.2 from deep), 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per 27.8 minutes a game.

Potter averaged 15.1 points on 53.2 percent shooting, 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Salt Lake City Stars a season ago.

JAVONTE SMART | GUARD (2021-22) | PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Smart finds himself back in an NBA Training Camp after a great 2023 NBA Summer League with the 76ers where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

Javonte earned two NBA Call-Ups with the Skyforce in 2021-22, one with the Milwaukee Bucks and lastly the Miami HEAT (both two-way contracts). He posted a career-high 21.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals for the Force.

Last season, Smart averaged 14.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Birmingham Squadron.