Detroit Pistons rookie Chaz Lanier debuted in the G League on Wednesday with the Motor City Cruise, and the 37th pick earned some praise from coach J.B. Bickerstaff for the performance.

Lanier produced 40 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 129-121 loss to the Cleveland Charge at the Wayne State Fieldhouse. He shot 12-of-17 from the field, including 9-of-13 from 3-point range, in 38 minutes as the Cruise dropped to 5-8.

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The 23-year-old is one of eight players to score at least 40 points in a game this season in the G League. He did most of his work from beyond the arc, while also dropping in some floaters and mid-range shots, which stood out to Bickerstaff.

“He was efficient,” Bickerstaff said Thursday after practice, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “But it just goes to show you that he understands the game offensively at a higher level, and he has the ability to make shots. We don’t see it as an opportunity or a movement up or down; we see it as an opportunity for him to get experience and reps.”

Lanier has played sporadically with the Pistons, averaging 3.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 13 appearances while shooting 32.4% from 3-point range. He recorded a season-high nine points and two rebounds on Nov. 18 in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

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The former Tennessee All-American has been the victim of a roster crunch, with several established players ahead of him on the depth chart. He has provided productive spot minutes when called upon, showcasing his overall skill set and ability.

Lanier was perhaps the top shooter in the draft, while the team also values his offensive instincts and ability to cut and move around on the court. The team was ecstatic to add Lanier in the draft and is eager to see his continued development this season.

“Right now, we just don’t have the numbers to provide him with the reps that we feel he needs to continue to develop and gain his rhythm,” Bickerstaff said. “We just want to make sure he gets those opportunities. The Motor City team is there for development for all of our guys, whether it is players or coaches, whoever is a part of it. It is not a vertical thing, it is a lateral thing for us, where it is a big of a part of our program as anything.”

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pistons’ JB Bickerstaff reacts to Chaz Lanier’s 40-point G League game