News is slow as we await the arrival of training camp, preseason games and finally the official kickoff of the 2012-13 NBA season. But that doesn't mean there isn't a small trickle of Pistons-related news out there in the world.
Young Pistons Jonas Jerebko and Slava Kravtsov both competed for their home countries in the recent Eurobasket tournament, for Sweden and Ukraine, respectively. And both players were singled out for kudos as part of an All Eurobasket Qualifying Team as selected by AJ Mitnick at Sheridan Hoops.
Jerebko was named "All First Team" while Kravtsov was named a member of the "Rising Stars Squad."
About Jerebko, Mitnick wrote:
Jerebko had to do everything for Sweden for them to have a chance to qualify, and he did that and more, putting in 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists, to go along with solid D. NBA circles have cooled off on him since his rookie year after he struggled with injuries, but he appears ready to take on a larger role on a Pistons team looking to make some progress this season. He won't ever be a star, but he is a guy who can and will do whatever a team asks of him.
About Kravtsov:
While Krastov may be limited offensively, he is a shot blocking machine who swatted away 2.5 shots in a mere 22.4 minutes. He is by no means the center of the future in Motown, but for a city so fond of defense, he should fit right in as a defense-oriented backup center.
So, hey, there is that, right?