Last season, the Detroit Pistons — just down the road from Michigan basketball — had one former Wolverine great on the roster in guard Tim Hardaway Jr. While Hardaway departed via free agency, the Pistons didn’t just sign another former Michigan player; they signed two.
On Wednesday, Detroit posted something of an homage to the college program down the road by showing the two new Pistons in uniform for the first time. So, if you’re a metro Detroit local, and a Michigan fan, you’ll be quite elated to see both Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert wearing the in-state red, white, and blue.
Last season, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks, LeVert averaged 12.1 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game. Robinson — who had gotten a huge contract from the Miami Heat after originally signing as a two-way player — averaged 11 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
At Pistons media day, LeVert shared how excited he was to reteam with Robinson, who had transferred into Ann Arbor as a young, unknown former D-III player as LeVert was closing out his star turn with the maize and blue. Via the Detroit News: (subscription required)
“I am super proud and excited to play with Duncan — he has had an amazing career,” said LeVert, who is with his fifth NBA team. “I saw Duncan when he came to Michigan, and no one would have known then where he would be at this point in his career — in the NBA for seven years. He has made a name for himself. So excited to be playing with him.”
Preseason for the Pistons begins just next week, with an October 6 road trip to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. There will be two more away preseason games (Milwaukee and Cleveland) before Detroit closes out the exhibition season with Washington at Little Caesars Arena. The season will begin in earnest with a road game at Chicago on October 22.