The Pistons have signed undrafted rookie Jaden Akins out of Michigan State
In an effort to provide overall depth for the organization, the Detroit Pistons signed undrafted rookie guard Jaden Akins to an Exhibit 10 contract after he spent four years in college at Michigan State. By all accounts, Akins is likely to suit up for the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ G-League affiliate, for the coming season, but perhaps Akins can get a bit of work in with Detroit during the preseason over the next week and a half.
During his time in East Lansing, Akins became a trusted point guard for head coach Tom Izzo to rely on. Last season, Akins featured in a team-high 37 games and logged almost 28 minutes per night, so Izzo clearly felt a sense of trust in the 6-4, 180-pounder. And while playing at the Breslin Center, Akins 12.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a shoot-first guard who can distribute the rock as well.
This is how Akins was described on Michigan State’s team website:
“A very athletic combo guard • Has the ability to shoot from three, but can create and get into the paint • Very quick first step • Had a tremendous summer, attending the Formula Zero camp in Portland and CP3 camp in Los Angeles • Expected to take a bigger role in his sophomore season.”
While playing for the Spartans, Akins amassed over 1,200 points for Michigan State and became one of only 17 players in program history to score over 1,000 points, grab 400 rebounds and dish out 150 assists in a career for MSU.
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As it pertains to the Pistons, Akins currently has a bevy of players in front of him on the depth chart, but the rookie should have an opportunity to play himself into a rhythm for the Cruise. Point guard Daniss Jenkins is another player on a two-way deal who Akins could be expected to compete with, and the former has acquitted himself well in the preseason so far. Jenkins played extensively in both of Detroit’s exhibition games this past week, and he was a standout performer during the Pistons Summer League docket as well.
Now, guard Colby Jones was unavailable to start training camp with the Pistons due to an ankle injury, and there were murmurs that Cade Cunningham may have tweaked his lower back in Thursday’s loss to the Bucks, so Akins’ addition to the squad should provide more depth for the time being.
In fact, Akins would be a safe bet to feature in the Pistons’ next preseason games, which will be a Tuesday, Oct. 14 contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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