Keith Langlois' latest post at True Blue Pistons should please DBB's Israeli readers:
One player who used the summer to enhance his prospects of occupying a roster spot with the Pistons someday – not this season – was Deron Washington. The third of the three second-round picks the Pistons exercised last June, Washington impressed Dumars and Michael Curry in Las Vegas with his athleticism and tenacity, then opened more eyes in August when he was working out with the other young Pistons at the practice facility.
Washington recently signed a contract to play with Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Premier League. Pistons VP Scott Perry told me that Washington will be playing at small forward and developing his perimeter offensive skills. The Pistons think he’s already an NBA-quality defender who showed them a little more offense than they thought he had over the summer. Two of Washington’s teammates might be familiar to fans of American college basketball – 6-foot-8 Curtis Withers from Charlotte and guard Luis Flores of Manhattan.
I got a chance to see Washington play in Las Vegas, and while he needs polish, his ability to play above the rim is a sight to behold. (For a taste, check out his college highlight reel.) And for what it's worth, I completely agree that his defense is already NBA ready. Here's to hoping the rest of his game catches up, because he's an extremely fun player to watch.