Skyforce Opening Day Roster Is Set So Let the Games Begin
A whirlwind camp leaves the Sioux Falls Skyforce with all slots filled as the season begins this weekend.
In a press release issued Thursday, 12 players were kept out of the 17 candidates that started on November 3.
First a quick word about the composition of the roster, then a tightening of the loose ends. Among the returning players, guards Chris Allen, A.J. Davis and Larry Drew II plus forward Henry Walker take up 25 percent of the team. Next in the pecking order are the allocation players from the Miami Heat including guard Tyler Johnson, forward Shawn Jones and center Khem Birch.
Among the draftees who survived the cuts include 1st round swingman Fuquan Edwin, both 2nd round choices guards Manny Atkins and Michael Williams and 3rd round choice forward Chadrack Lufile. One player remains from the open tryout process as guard Joseph Harris continues to impress.
Some of the fine points involved with the announcement of the roster involve a rule change invoked last season with the addition of inactive players. Only ten players can suit up on game night. However during the course of the season, the NBA Development League has allowed for roster flexibility accounting for injuries, call-ups and other variables. The ‘Force staff has deemed Atkins and Walker as the inactive players, but changes can be made on a daily basis.
The alphabetical list of this season’s edition of the Skyforce in full detail is below. The defending D-League Champion Fort Wayne Mad Ants will be ready for the skirmish on Saturday night.
No. Name Pos Ht Wt DOB From
11 Chris Allen G 6-3 205 11/13/88 Iowa State
15 Manny Atkins*# G 6-6 205 01/27/91 Georgia State
24 Khem Birch* C 6-10 220 09/28/92 UNLV
23 A.J. Davis G 6-6 210 11/14/87 James Madison
12 Larry Drew II G 6-2 175 03/05/90 UCLA
17 Fuquan Edwin* G/F 6-6 215 09/17/92 Seton Hall
14 Joseph Harris G 6-5 180 05/30/87 Coastal Carolina
10 Tyler Johnson * G 6-4 186 05/07/92 Fresno State
22 Shawn Jones* F 6-8 195 03/25/92 Middle Tennessee State
32 Chadrack Lufile* F 6-9 265 09/11/90 Wichita State
21 Henry Walker# F 6-6 220 10/09/87 Kansas State
9 Michael Williams* G 6-2 185 10/27/91 Cal State Fullerton
* – Rookie
# – Inactive