DeAndre Liggins Returns to the NBA Signs 10-Day Deal with Miami Heat

There have been championship campaigns and lean years, but one constant of the Sioux Falls Skyforce is their best players get to the NBA.  Over 25 seasons of operation, 22 of them have included a player being plucked from the ranks to serve in the Association.

DeAndre Liggins is the first player in the 2013-14 assembly to break through after signing a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.  Liggins has appeared in 35 games (34 starts) with the Skyforce this season averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.54 steals and 40.3 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field. The 2014 NBA D-League All-Star appeared in the NBA Development League on assignment with the Tulsa 66ers last season.

This will be the third NBA team for the University of Kentucky product.  He has appeared in 56 career NBA games (one start) split between the Oklahoma City Thunder last season and the Orlando Magic in 2011-12.

As far as his role with the Miami Heat, don’t look to Liggins to step into the role of LeBron James who recently suffered a broken nose.  According to Heat beat writer Ira Winderman, LBJ will play in a mask on Thursday against the Knicks.  The call-up role will be to most likely lockdown the opposing bench scorer and knock down open shots.

Check the clip below for one of Liggins' best performances of the season.  It was huge.