SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Sioux Falls Skyforce were crowned champions at the NBA Development League Showcase 2016 presented by Samsung, which concluded tonight in Santa Cruz, Calif.  The team captured the championship as one of seven teams with a perfect 2-0 record.  To break the tie among the 2-0 teams, the advanced basketball statistic Net Rating (calculated by subtracting Defensive Rating from Offensive Rating) was used.  Sioux Falls finished with an overall Net Rating of +13.3, while the Canton Charge finished in second place with a Net Rating of +11.9  The five-day event featured each of the league’s 19 teams playing two regular season games at Kaiser Permanente Arena, home of the Santa Cruz Warriors.

The Skyforce began their Showcase run with a 102-98 win over the Raptors 905 on Thursday, Jan. 7 before defeating the hosting Warriors 102-81 on Saturday, Jan. 9.  With the wins, Sioux Falls improved to 16-3, an NBA D-League record for best record to open a season.  Miami Heat assignees Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes combined for 50 points in the win over the Raptors, with DeAndre Liggins chipping in with 19 points and nine assists.  Stokes finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds against the Warriors.

The NBA D-League’s premier in-season scouting event, the NBA D-League Showcase 2016 presented by Samsung saw two players earn GATORADE Call-Ups, as Lorenzo Brown of the Grand Rapids Drive signed with the Phoenix Suns and Santa Cruz’s Elliot Williams signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.  Additionally, 14 NBA players displayed their talents on assignment from their NBA teams, including newly minted Showcase champions Stokes and Richardson.

Offensive Rating is calculated by dividing a team’s total points by its total offensive possessions, while Defensive Rating is derived by dividing a team’s total points allowed by its opponent’s total offensive possessions.

About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.