Detroit Pistons: Top 10 Pistons’ rookies in franchise history

Detroit Pistons top ten rookies: No. 1, Grant Hill

Few players entered the NBA with the type of resume Grant Hill had after his time at Duke, as he was one of the most successful college players of all time.

Hill was selected 3rd by the Detroit Pistons in 1994 and somehow exceeded those lofty expectations.

The prototype for today’s do-it-all wings, Hill averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.8 steals and a block per game in his rookie season on his way to All-Rookie honors.

Hill shared the Rookie of the Year award with Jason Kidd and became the first rookie to ever lead the league in All-Star votes, making the squad in his very first season.

Hill’s career with the Pistons was derailed by injury and there is probably no player whose career I’d like a “do-over” on than Hill, as he really was spectacular, a constant threat for a triple-double and arguably one of the greatest all-around players in NBA history.

His playmaking and rebounding set the standard for modern small forwards and he ended up making five All-Star appearances for Detroit before being traded in the deal that brought Hall-of-Famer Ben Wallace and a title to Detroit.

Hill will always be remembered for what could have been, but his rookie season was the best the Detroit Pistons ever had.