The Detroit Pistons had two players selected for the recent Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star weekend in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Duren didn’t end up playing because of a turned ankle, but Ivey’s team took home the title, the second year in a row the Detroit Pistons have been part of the winning team in the new tournament format.
Detroit now has five players who were selected as Rising Stars, which hopefully bodes well for their future, as this is the core they are building around, now they just need to find more impact talent and complementary players.
The Pistons have gotten nothing from their G-League team this season, which is somewhat disappointing given the context of their rebuild, but they do have one player stashed in the EuroLeague who could make the roster next season.
Gabriele Procida of ALBA Berlin has been turning some heads in the EuroLeague and recently added to the Detroit Pistons’ collection of Rising Stars.
Detroit Pistons: Gabriele Procida getting recognition in the EuroLeague
Each season, the EuroLeague nominates players for the “Rising Star” award, which is similar to the Rookie of the Year award in the NBA except it isn’t limited to players in their first seasons.
The only rule is that the player must be under 21-years-old when the season starts. Procida hasn’t played big minutes for ALBA Berlin, but he has made the most of them, as he has evolved into an effective option off the bench, often acting as instant offense for his team.
Procida is only averaging 5.9 points per game in just under 15 minutes, but he has scored in double digits five times and is shooting a blistering 56.8 percent from 2-point range. Procida has shown plus athleticism and the ability to finish in the mid-range and around the rim. His 3-point shooting needs to get more consistent, but has big-time range and can get his own shot from behind the arc.
The guard/wing is likely to play in the Summer League and depending on offseason additions, could carve out a role for himself, though it’s still more likely that he plays another season in the EuroLeague where he can get more minutes and developmental time.