Detroit Pistons Summer League Player Impacted By SEC’s New Rule

Over the last several weeks, a growing trend has emerged where rookie Summer League players are opting to return to the college ranks after a recent Colorado court ruling has opened up a new loophole permitting the activity. Overall, this pattern has sparked a big picture conversation about the meaning of amateur and professional athletics, and the situation is having more of an impact on the Detroit Pistons the further it unfolds. 

So far, the Pistons have had three players from their Summer League roster that have decided to put a halt on their NBA opportunity in favor of collegiate hoops with Roddy Gayle Jr. returning to Michigan, Jaden Henley signing on for another season at Grand Canyon and Corey Stephenson committing to Ole Miss. However, Stephenson’s future looks a bit more murky after a recent SEC announcement was made that could substantially impact his decision to join the Rebels. 

According to the SEC’s message, no team in the conference shall be allowed to have a player on their roster who has signed a contract with a professional organization, declared for the draft or been listed on the roster of a pro team. Since Stephenson signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Detroit Pistons and played in four games for the squad during the Summer League, he would fall under that category, so it may be wise for the one-time FIU guard to reconsider his playing options.

In an effort to help enforce this new rule, the SEC has imposed some harsh penalties against schools who entertain the possibility of rostering a formerly professional player. For any school found to have violated this rule, their head coach will be suspended for 50% of the season with an additional 50% reduction of that sport’s annual operating budget. So, the SEC is making sure that any program found in violation would incur not just an on-field penalty with the coaching suspension but would also take a hit to their books with the financial aspect serving as further reinforcement. 

There has been discussion lately that the Big Ten could follow the SEC’s lead in establishing strict penalties for any school who partakes in this activity. If that were to happen, then Gayle would find himself in the same predicament that Stephenson is currently in. Both players would be clear to continue their time in the Pistons organization by potentially signing on with the Motor City Cruise of the G-League if they’re not allowed to return to college, but that much still remains to be seen. 

Gayle was a reliable, steady shooter coming off the bench for the Pistons during the Summer League, so it is likely that he would latch on with the Cruise as a scoring option for the Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls. Stephenson, on the other hand, might have more of an outside shot at sticking with the Cruise, but it ultimately depends on how the rest of this still-developing situation plays out. If the SEC holds firm in their decision, then it is unlikely that he’d pursue minutes at a school that isn’t allowed to play him.