The Detroit Pistons have two of the NBA’s top rookies for the second time in three years.
Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren were both named to the 2023 NBA All-Rookie second team on Monday. The Pistons have had five players make an All-Rookie team since Troy Weaver was hired as general manager in 2020. Cade Cunningham made first team in 2022, and Saddiq Bey (first team) and Isaiah Stewart (second team) earned recognition in 2021.
This year’s first team was made up of Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero (Orlando), Keegan Murray (Sacramento), Ben Mathurin (Indiana), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City) and Walker Kessler (Utah).
Ivey came up just short of Mathurin for the final spot, garnering 142 points to the latter’s 170. Ivey received 43 first-team votes to Mathurin’s 71.
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Duren did not receive any first-team votes, getting 85 for second team.
Ivey and Duren were joined on the second team by Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston), Tari Eason (Houston) and Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio).
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Ivey, the fifth overall pick, had a standout season averaging 16.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Ivey, 21, started 73 of his 74 appearances, and led all rookies in assists per game and was third in scoring.
Duren, the 13th overall pick after the Pistons traded back into the first round for him, led all rookies in rebounding with 8.9 per game in 67 appearances (31 starts). He also had 9.1 points on 64.8% shooting and 0.9 blocks as the league’s youngest player, turning 19 in November.
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Ivey and Duren were two of the best athletes in their class and formed one of the most exciting rookie duos in franchise history, producing a long highlight reel of dunks, blocks and other feats.
The next big date for the Pistons comes when the NBA draft lottery takes place May 16 in Chicago. The draft is scheduled for June 22, where the Pistons are guaranteed a top-five pick.
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