Top 10 Detroit Pistons draft picks of all-time

9. Andre Drummond (2012, first round, ninth overall)

Career stats: 12.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.1 steals

Andre Drummond has flashed signs of greatness since his rookie season (I mean, check out these rookie highlights). Pistons’ fans just hoped that he could turn those flashes into every night performances.

In his fourth season Drummond appears to have finally turned the corner. So far this season, he’s averaging 18.6 points, 16.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.8 steals and the Pistons are right in the thick of the playoff hunt. In comparison, Drummond averaged 13.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, .9 steals, and 1.9 blocks a season ago.

That growth–and the lack of growth from Greg Monroe, who was mentioned on the previous slide–is exactly why the Pistons chose to build around him instead of Monroe.

What’s even more impressive about what Drummond is doing this season is that he still doesn’t box out every play which means his rebounding numbers can still reach even higher marks.

On offense he still isn’t the most polished finisher, and his free throw percentage this season is still hovering around 38%.

Just imagine what Drummond could do if he could improve these nuances–a 25 point and 20 rebound season average wouldn’t be out of the question.

What qualifies Drummond for this list is not only what he’s done for the franchise so far, but what he figures to do for the Pistons in the future. Drummond is an athletic freak, and a rare talent that the franchise can build a title contender around.

At just 22 years old, it’s scary to think about how good Drummond can be.

Next: George Yardley