Ebuka Okorie Making Early Case for Pistons Backcourt Role in Summer League

Ebuka Okorie is wasting no time getting comfortable in the NBA. Drafted 17th overall before having his draft rights sent to the Detroit Pistons, Okorie is eager to prove that his successful stint at Stanford was no fluke. And early on in NBA Summer League, Okorie has put on a show.

Averaging well over double figures in scoring, Okorie got his Summer League campaign started with a bang when he dropped 20 points with four assists and recorded two steals in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

He then followed that up with a 14-point, six-assist and three-rebound game in the Pistons' first Summer League win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, adding seven steals. In that second game, Okorie ended the night as the team leader in assists and steals, displaying his dominance in all aspects of the game.

Despite the Pistons losing their second game of Summer League on Monday to fall to 1-2, Okorie continued to dominate, scoring 14 points with four assists and six rebounds, bringing his summer averages to 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.3 steals. 

Okorie's strong summer could mean that the former Stanford standout will earn a sizable role for the Pistons right out of the gate. Despite Cade Cunningham running the backcourt, the other guard spot is up for grabs.

While Ausar Thompson and Duncan Robinson sometimes man the two-guard spot, both of those players are predominantly forwards, making Okorie a player who could earn a starting role as a rookie with a strong training camp.

Originally committed to Harvard out of high school, Okorie flipped his decision to Stanford after a dominant senior season, wanting the best of both worlds in terms of Power Four basketball and a world-class education.

In his one season on The Farm, Okorie averaged 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists, which was not only one of the best seasons for a freshman in program history, but in the history of the ACC. 

Earning several accolades such as First-Team All-ACC and ACC All-Rookie Team, Okorie's draft stock soared all year long. While questions about his size made him a projected borderline first rounder at times, his talent ultimately made him hard to pass on.

Now, Okorie has the chance to cement himself as one of the greatest Stanford basketball players not only on The Farm, but in the NBA. If he puts together a solid rookie season, he may very well help the Cardinal's recruiting pitch because of head coach Kyle Smith's ability to maximize his roster.