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Detroit Pistons: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pistons

By Phil Watson

Oct 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills prior to the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills prior to the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince (22) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince (22) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Willie Green (34) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

64. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 23rd overall pick from Kentucky, 2002 NBA Draft; Trade, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, Feb. 19, 2015.. SF. . Tayshaun Prince. 15. player

Tayshaun Prince was a two-time All-American at Kentucky, averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a senior, and the Detroit Pistons took a chance on the skinny kid with the crazy long arms with the 23rd overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

It took Prince most of his rookie season to get off the bench before he suddenly became a key rotation piece in the playoffs and from there, he was the team’s lockdown perimeter defender for more than a decade.

DET_15_PRINCE
DET_15_PRINCE /

Prince was named All-Defensive four seasons in a row from 2004-05 through 2007-08 and didn’t miss a game from 2003-04 through 2008-09 for good measure, helping the Pistons to a title in 2004 and a return trip to the Finals in 2005.

While Detroit was beating the Los Angeles Lakers to win the title in 2004, Prince averaged 10.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 39.2 minutes per game in the five-game Finals series, shooting .389/3-for-16/5-for-11.

In a seven-game loss to the San Antonio Spurs the following year, he put up 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 39.1 minutes a night on .382/1-for-9/12-for-14 shooting.

Prince remained with the Pistons until January 2013, when he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Austin Daye as part of a three-team trade. Memphis sent Jose Calderon to Detroit after acquiring him from the Toronto Raptors in the deal.

Prince returned to the Pistons in February 2015, also as part of a three-team swap. Detroit got Prince from the Boston Celtics, sending Jonas Jerebko and Gigi Datome to the Celtics in a deal that also included the Phoenix Suns.

The return was brief. He signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a free agent in August 2015.

In parts of 12 seasons in Detroit, Prince averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.0 minutes a game, shooting .459/.371/.764.

Last season for the Timberwolves, he started 44 times in 77 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 19.0 minutes a night on .445/.174/13-for-19 shooting. Prince remains unsigned for 2016-17.

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