Detroit Pistons draft: 2nd-round prospect whose stock is rising

The Detroit Pistons are vying for the worst record in the NBA and hope that will yield some impact talent in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The big concern is the first rounder, as Victor Wembanyama is sitting there waiting to be a savior to some fanbase.

But the Pistons also have a pick in the early second round and this draft is deep enough that they might be able to find a steal.

As of right now, the Detroit Pistons would have the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, so will have their choice of the players that don’t get their names called in the first round.

One player from that tier who is on the rise of late is Jaime Jaquez Jr., the senior guard/forward from UCLA, who is piling up big games and trying to take his team to the Final Four.

Detroit Pistons: Project or experience in the 2nd round?

Most 2nd round picks fall into one of two categories: They are either raw prospects that will need time to develop or older players whose ceilings are not projected to be as high.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. falls into the latter category, as he is a 22-year-old senior in his 4th season for UCLA. He has improved incrementally, culminating in this year when he averaged 17.5 points, eight rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Jaquez Jr. is not an explosive athlete, but he has good size at 6-foot-6, is a smart team defender and knows how to get buckets from all over the floor.

He has put together two big games so far in the NCAA Tournament and the UCLA Bruins are in the Sweet Sixteen after he dropped 24 points and eight rebounds in their win over Northwestern.

That was after a 17 point, eight rebound, five steal effort against UNC Asheville in their opening round win. The Bruins will now take on #3 seed Gonzaga in what will be the most anticipated game of the tournament so far.

The two teams play on Friday March 24th for a chance at the Elite Eight. Another big game from Jaquez Jr. would give him even more shine on the national stage and potentially catapult him into the first round.

But there is still a good chance that he will be there when the Detroit Pistons choose, and the team might go with a more experienced player who might be able to contribute off the bench or on a two-way contract.