Detroit Pistons make a curious roster addition hoping to find a late bloomer

The Detroit Pistons will spend the rest of the season tanking away, getting their young guys developmental minutes and trying out players for next season.

Detroit had an open roster spot after buying out Nerlens Noel and I had a few ideas for younger players with some upside to fill that spot.

But the Pistons instead jumped at the chance to sign small forward Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract, a guy who wasn’t on most people’s radar.

You might have noticed Omoruyi on the floor in the last game and wondered who he was, but it’s possible you’ll be seeing plenty more of him as Detroit has about half their team on the injury list right now in their quest to reach the bottom of the NBA and stay there for the rest of the season.

Omoruyi was a curious signing considering he is already 26-years-old, but it’s possible he’s a late bloomer and that the Detroit Pistons may find a player at least worthy of a two-way contract for next season.

Detroit Pistons: Who is Eugene Omoruyi?

Omoruyi was born in Nigeria and moved to Canada as a baby, but didn’t even start playing basketball until his second year of high school, as he grew up playing soccer.

He was able to parlay three years of high school ball into a scholarship, so we know he has some athletic ability. He played four years in college and didn’t really get it going until his senior season, when he averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists for Oregon after transferring from Rutgers. He also hit 37.6 of his 3-point shots on 3.9 attempts per game as a senior, so he’s shown the ability to shoot some from the outside.

He went undrafted in 2021 before spending time with both the Mavericks and Thunder on two-way deals. He didn’t get much run with either team, but may be able to earn some minutes with this Detroit Pistons’ team that is running out a borderline G-League rotation right now.

Omoruyi is a big, strong wing who may just need a chance to show what he can do, as he has shown some shooting touch as well as the ability to defend, two things the Pistons desperately need.

Detroit won’t have many roster spots available for next season, but a two-way would be a possibility for Omoruyi if he plays well, as Detroit has little in the way of wing talent in the pipeline. Hopefully he’ll continue to be a late bloomer who can provide the Pistons with some wing depth.