Five Things We Learned from the Showcase Cup
December 21, 2023 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
The Sioux Falls Skyforce are currently 8-7 with one game left to play on December 22nd at 2:30 PM against the Osceola Magic in the NBA G League Winter Showcase in Orlando, Florida. The team has delt with a few different injuries that have kept players like R.J. Hampton, Jon Elmore, Jamaree Bouyea and more out of the lineup at times this season, but the team has been resilient and isn't ready to make any excuses. "We've got enough pieces and enough guys that even though we're dealing with injuries and battling some adversity, we have enough guys to come out here and put together wins." said Justin Champagnie.
The Showcase has featured several great team and induvial performances from the Skyforce. The team has already seen two call-ups this season with Jamaree Bouyea signing a two-way deal with Portland before returning to Sioux Falls, and Drew Peterson recently signing a two-way deal with Boston. Peterson averaged 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in his 13 appearances with the Force.
Justin Champagnie has been on fire this season, producing 21.5 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and 2.4 steals per game, which is good for second in the G League. Four of the last six games have resulted in a double-double for Justin. In games Champagnie posts a double-double, the Force are 6-1 so far this season.
In a must-win game to keep the Force in a position to make the Showcase Cup Tournament, Justin put together a 35-point, 15-rebound performance to lead the Force to a 4-point win on the road against the Motor City Cruise. This game marked Champagnie's second 35-point double-double of the season.
"My goal is always to just go out there don't wait for anybody to give me anything and impact the game anyway I can, rebound, play defense, get steals, get in the passing lanes, and just try to be a sparkplug for my team." - Justin Champagnie
ManMan puts on a show every time he steps on a basketball court by throwing down massive dunks, setting up teammates perfectly with flashy passes, or blowing by defenders with impressive handles. It seems every game ManMan finds a way to do something that leaves us in awe.
The former ACC Player of the Year is averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. On a night where the Force had only seven active players due to a few injuries to key players, Alondes stepped up to score a career-high 42 points to lead the Force to a victory against the Motor City Cruise on November 28th.
Caleb Daniels has been an absolute sharpshooter this season, shooting 43.6% from behind the arc. When Caleb gets hot, watch out.
On December 1st against the Cleveland Charge, the former Villanova Wildcat played 38 minutes and recorded a career-high 24 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Daniels hit a go-ahead three with 32 seconds left in the game that ultimately secured the win for the Force. This game was part of three straight games Daniels produced 20+ points.
Brandon McCoy is consistently making an impact for the Force by doing the dirty work. Setting solid screens, boxing out, grabbing rebounds, and fighting for loose balls are all part of what makes McCoy an absolute dog. That and of course the occasional actual barking at teammates with fellow center Malik Williams.
The 7'1 center from UNLV has also seen his scoring numbers increase so far this season. In just the second game of the season, McCoy set a new career-high with a 20-point performance in a win against the Charge on November 14th. McCoy has been in double digits five times this season, four of which resulted in Skyforce wins.
In his seventh season with the Skyforce and third as head coach of the franchise, Kasib Powell and the Force lead the G League in call-ups so far this season, which isn't new as the Force lead the G League in call-ups since the beginning of his tenure.
Coach Powell has juggled injuries, call ups, and two-way players coming in and out of the lineup elegantly leading to much success from these two-way players. Miami Heat two-way players Jamal Cain and Cole Swider have each appeared in six games for the Force, Cain putting up a 38-point performance on November 14th against the Charge, and Swider recording two 30+ point performances.
Miami Heat assignee Nikola Jovic has also made 6 appearances with the Force this season averaging 16.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
NBA G League Stories from December 21, 2023
- Ignite Drops Winter Showcase Finale - NBA G League Ignite
- Lewis Jr.'s Game-Sealing Triple Ends Showcase with 112-107 Birmingham Victory - Birmingham Squadron
- Vipers Drop Second Game at Showcase Cup - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Skyhawks Fall to Mad Ants in Overtime in Showcase Cup Semifinals - College Park Skyhawks
- Santa Cruz Warriors Fall to the Westchester Knicks in Winter Showcase Semifinals, 127-114 - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Charge Start Regular Season with a Splash - Cleveland Charge
- Stockton Kings Announce Roster Moves - Stockton Kings
- Five Things We Learned from the Showcase Cup - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Hustle Drop Winter Showcase Contest against Vipers - Memphis Hustle
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