Detroit Pistons: Buddy Boeheim piling up monster games

As Detroit Pistons’ two-way player Buddy Boeheim develops with the Motor City Cruise in the G League, his 3-point shot is continuing  to find its stride.

On Feb. 22, Boeheim put up 28 points on 6-for-12 shooting from three in a win against the Delaware Blue Coats. Five of those 3-pointers were knocked down in the first quarter, where Boeheim scored 18 points alone.

He made six threes in his previous game against the Greensboro Swarm, as he tries to make a case for a late-season call up.

The scoring is coming mainly off of catch and shoot looks, without putting the ball on the floor.

Boeheim is shooting at 42.7 percent from deep during the Cruise’s regular season, on over seven attempts per game.

During the first part of the season, in the G League’s Showcase Cup, he shot 35.7 percent from three on fewer attempts in 17 games. Boeheim’s long range shooting has improved considerably as he’s gotten his feet wet with the Cruise.

Detroit Pistons: What does a role in the NBA look like for Buddy Boeheim?

Buddy Boeheim is currently taking one of the two two-way spots for the Detroit Pistons this season. Players on two-way deals are limited to 50 games on their team’s active list, while being able to participate in NBA practices, workouts and other team activities freely.

He’s included on the Pistons’ injury report most nights, simply marked as out with the Motor City Cruise due to his two-way contract.

As one of the better shooters in this year’s rookie class, there may be a spot for him in the league if he continues to shoot at or near a 40 percent clip.

Any role in the NBA is still considered to be an uphill battle for Boeheim. But, he may get an opportunity for some NBA minutes with the Detroit Pistons as they close out their season. Three-point shooting on the wing would be a welcome addition for the current roster, especially as that would allow for a young player to get a chance to prove himself in the league.

One longshot comparison for Boeheim is the Miami Heat’s Duncan Robinson. Robinson played in 33 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, in the 2018-19 season while shooting at a whopping 48.3 percent from deep on close to 10 attempts per game.

This didn’t carry over to the NBA game however, where Robinson shot 28.3 percent from three during that same season in only 15 games with the Heat.

He broke out in the league in the following season, shooting at 44.6 percent from beyond the arc on over eight attempts per game.

The path for strong G League 3-point shooters is there. Boeheim has shown a willingness to be able to shoot at a high rate. I’m not sure if that will carry over to the NBA game immediately, but if he has an opportunity to get some true action under his belt, Buddy could break through as a spot-up shooter in the NBA.

If the Pistons give him some run this season, the rookie from Syracuse has a chance to make a name for himself in the league.