G League Sioux Falls Skyforce

Skyforce Acquire Returning Player Rights to Raphiael Putney

Published on September 28, 2018 under NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that the team has acquired the returning player rights to forward Raphiael Putney in exchange for Sioux Falls' own 2018 1st round draft pick (13th overall) along with the returning player rights to Matt Williams Jr.

Putney, a 6-10, 190-pound forward out of the University of Massachusetts, went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft before signing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers as a tryout player under then-Head Coach Nevada Smith. Putney now rejoins his former coach having averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.7 assists per game for the Erie BayHawks during the 2017-18 season. Putney helped lead Erie to its first NBA G League Playoff appearance since the 2011-12 season. Putney averaged 16.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in his three 2018 playoff appearances.

Putney spent all of the 2016-17 season overseas, playing for Pasta Reggia JuveCaserta in the Italian Lega A. Putney averaged 10.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 30 appearances (30 starts). He also spent the first part of the 2017-18 season splitting time between Atleticos de San German and Chalon-Sur-Saone prior to rejoining the NBA G League.

Putney appeared in 72 games (42 starts) for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers between 2014 and 2016, highlighted by a career-high scoring average of 17.2 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game during the 2015-16 season.

Prior to his professional career, Putney played four seasons at UMASS, averaging career numbers of 7.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 131 appearances (86 starts). During his sophomore season, Putney averaged collegiate career-highs of 10.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 37.3 percent from three-point range.

Matt Williams Jr. averaged 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 43 appearances (18 starts) for the Skyforce last season. After beginning the season as a Miami HEAT two-way player, the Skyforce acquired Williams Jr. as a returning player after the HEAT waived him.

Season tickets, flex packs and five-game Sioux Falls Celebration Series plans are on sale now. To book your seat, contact a Skyforce representative at 605-332-0605 or visit the front office at 2131 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, 57105.

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