After six seasons as a pro, Detroit Pistons guard Isaiah Joe has solidified himself as one of the premier three-point shooters in the association
After playing in the NBA for six seasons before joining the Detroit Pistons, guard Isaiah Joe has done a lot to make his hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas proud. Joe was an NBA Champion with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being traded to the Motor City over the offseason, and the new Pistons received an honor of the highest order from his hometown community last month.
While visiting Fort Smith on Aug. 21 to host the Isaiah Joe Camp 2026, the sharp-shooting three-point specialist also had a street named after him to recognize the hard work and effort that he’s put in to represent his roots. As of now, Isaiah Joe Court is an aptly named official road within Arkansas’ Sebastian County.
“First off, thank you for everybody that is out here,” Joe said to the crowd. “Thank you to Fort Smith mayor, family, all the Northside students and staff. Man, I can’t even really put into words how this touches my heart. I know my family, it cuts really deep for us. That being said, thank you guys. I love you. I love Fort Smith, and I love this city.”
As one would expect, Joe was thrilled to have a street named after him, and he spoke at length about how it really shows the sacrifice put in by those in his family so that he could make the most of the opportunities he’s had. Joe made sure to deflect credit toward his parents in an attempt to highlight everything they’ve done to help him succeed at the NBA level.
”I could never dream of getting a street named after me,” Joe said. “That was never in the forefront of my mind. I don’t think you guys up as a kid and it’s like, I want a street named after me one day, you know? That was never my thought. I was just like basketball, basketball, basketball, but the city had other plans.”
Last season, Joe averaged over 10 points per game for the Thunder while converting his long-range attempts at a 40% clip in just over 20 minutes of action per night. Joe really found a rhythm for OKC when the team suffered a string of late-season injuries, which forced the Arkansas product into a more prominent role in the rotation.
During one matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers near the end of February, Joe went off for 22 points and five steals while drilling a half dozen shots from beyond the arc in the Thunder’s double-digit victory. Joe’s efficient, productive outing against Cleveland helped demonstrate how impactful he can be when given a healthy dose of playing time, so it will be intriguing to see how he fares in the Motor City with Duncan Robinson as his primary competition at the two.
Robinson is an accomplished marksmen himself with a 40% three-ball conversion rate last season as well, but the two should combine to give the Pistons an elite shooting guard option no matter who is on the court. Robinson was the team’s lone weapon with significant perimeter gravity last season, so Joe should help ensure that Detroit faces less-packed paints during the 2026-27 campaign.
The Pistons training camp is set to open up at the end of the month with the pre-season beginning on Oct. 5 for Detroit, so Joe will have an opportunity to stake his claim for the starting backcourt position opposite Cade Cunningham soon enough.
