The Sioux Falls Skyforce will get their first player called-up to the NBA this season.  Miami has given Tyler Johnson a 10-day contract.

Interestingly, the one who will get his ticket punched to The Association is not one who has been high on the NBADL Prospect Watch.  However, Johnson would fill a current need for the Heat at the shooting guard position.

 

Reading the reports out of South Beach over the last month painted a worrisome picture of the Heat’s backcourt situation.  Fans and reporters observations are not the definitive word on a team’s performance, but the assignments of guards Andre Dawkins and Shabazz Napier were the harbinger.

It is unclear how close it was for Johnson to earn a roster spot after the preseason.  Speculation near the end of training camp was that the competition for the regular season roster slot was between Dawkins, Johnson and center Khem Birch.  Dawkins now finds himself in limbo, Birch ranks high on the Prospect Watch and Johnson has a chance to prove himself.

A groin injury put Johnson on the shelf for the first half of December, but since then numerous highlight reel moments have followed based mostly on Johnson’s athletic ability at the rim.  What will keep Johnson in a Heat uniform likely will be a consistent outside shot and a commitment to defense.  He made almost half his 3 point attempts with Sioux Falls.

In a press release from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, coach Phil Weber praised the rookie out of Fresno State.  "No one has worked harder than Tyler.  Tyler has played at an extremely high level and has shown the things that make his efforts worthy of such an opportunity."

Johnson will wear jersey number 8 when the Heat face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday evening.  Until then enjoy some of Johnson's work below.

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