Sioux Falls Skyforce guard DeAndre Liggins has been selected as the 2013-14 NBA Development League’s Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s 17 head coaches, it was announced today.
Liggins (6-6, 209, Kentucky) appeared in 42 regular season games for the Skyforce, anchoring the defensive efforts of a Sioux Falls team that held their opponents to league-lows of only 45 percent shooting from the field and 100.1 points per 100 possessions. Sioux Falls’ opponents averaged 102.9 points, good for second-lowest in the NBA D-League. As an individual, he averaged an NBA D-League best 2.6 steals, to go with 14.2 points and 4.8 assists.
Liggins’ defensive prowess helped Sioux Falls to a 31-19 record during the regular season and the fourth seed in the 2014 NBA D-League Playoffs. The Skyforce defeated the Canton Charge 2-1 in the best-of-three first round series, and were defeated by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the top overall seed in the 2014 NBA D-League postseason, in second round playoff action.
“DeAndre has demonstrated his ability to be a consistent lock-down defender all season long – a quality that surely helped Sioux Falls have such a successful campaign,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA D-League. “A top prospect in the NBA D-League this season, I’m looking forward to watching DeAndre continue to develop on both ends of the court and congratulate him on this well-deserved accomplishment.”
Originally selected with the 53rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Liggins has appeared in 57 career NBA games, including one with the Miami Heat during the 2013-14 campaign following a GATORADE Call-Up from the Skyforce. He owns NBA career averages of 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds.
