Detroit Pistons at NBA draft combine: Any of the top prospects would boost defense

CHICAGO — The Detroit Pistons, after falling to fifth in Sunday's NBA draft Lottery, are in the midst of narrowing down a wide list of prospects at the NBA combine.

Members of the 2024 draft class addressed the media on Tuesday. Here's what four prospects in Detroit's draft range — Alex Sarr, Donovan Clingan, Matas Buzelis and Reed Sheppard, had to say.

Note: French forward and projected top-10 pick Zaccharie Risacher did not participate in the combine.

Alex Sarr, 7-1 F/C, France

The skinny: A favorite to go first overall due to his ability to defend both the rim and perimeter as a big man. Has shown flashes as a ball-handler, but needs to improve shooting and rebounding. Former Overtime Elite teammate of Ausar Thompson.

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Have you been paying attention to the Pistons?

For sure. Outside of the draft, knowing Ausar I was paying attention to what he was doing this season. It was fun just seeing him in his first season after playing for OTE. I was watching games, his highlights after the game.

Have you been talking to Ausar through this draft process?

Of course, asking questions about what was his draft combine like, what were the workouts like for him.

What feedback have you gotten from teams as far as what you bring defensively and offensively?

I haven’t gotten much feedback from teams, but I know every team is looking for a versatile big that can switch on defense. Offensively, I think I can push the ball in transition, make good reads that are just short rolls, hit the open man and knock down shots.

Donovan Clingan, 7-2 C, UConn

The skinny: Widely considered the best rim protector in the draft, with strong screening finishing and above-average passing out of the post. Helped lead UConn to its second-straight national title as a sophomore. Wants to develop an outside shot.

Where did you grow the most during your second season at UConn?

Just maturing, being physical and understanding the game more. Just really increasing my IQ and the feel of the game, working on my skills in the post and maturing as a player and person. Last year I knew I was too young, I wasn’t mature enough to go play in the NBA. I realized I had to go back and take my game to the next level.

Teams are prioritizing bigs, you see Minnesota has two of them. Do you look at that, and if so, does it give you a different feeling as far as your place in the league?

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You see Gobert and all these centers — Joel Embiid, (Nikola) Jokic — just the way they dominate so many different aspects of the game. And that’s something I’m trying to do. It’s all the little things whether it’s defense, protecting the rim, finishing around the rim, being able to step out and shoot the 3, passing, which I love to do, space the floor. It’s nice to see all those big guys who are 7-foot succeeding at a high level and having such a big impact

Where does your passing feel come from?

I’ve always had something for passing. I always enjoyed passing, finding the open man. I’m a team guy so you want to see others succeed. That’s something where there’s very few bigs doing it at a high level. You see Jokic doing it, he’s on a different level from anyone else when it comes to passing. Just the way he can pass spaces the floor so much more and gets his teammates so many opportunities.

Matas Buzelis, 6-11 F, G League Ignite

The skinny: Commonly mocked to the Pistons at No. 5 due to his versatility at power forward. Good passer and shot-blocker, capable scorer inside the arc. Needs to improve outside shooting.

What are your areas of growth in the NBA?

Probably my shooting. I know I can shoot. I know the numbers didn’t really show it and everyone is tripping about it, but I’m not tripping at all. I know I can shoot the ball. I shot 45% from 3 at Sunrise Christian, so I know I can shoot the ball.

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Was it roster makeup that made it tough to get good looks? What do you attribute that to?

A lot of veterans got hurt. I’m not trying to make excuses sitting up here, but we did have a lot of young guys. You gotta deal with it you know?

You tallied a lot of blocks and steals last year. What do you bring defensively?

The defensive instincts have started to come this year. I'm using it to my advantage and I feel like I can be one of the best shot-blockers. I don’t want to just be a one-way player, I want to be a two-way player.

Reed Sheppard, 6-3 G, Kentucky

The skinny: One of the draft’s best shooters and most complete all-around players. Capable passer with great hands, racked up a lot of steals and blocks as a 6-foot-3 guard. Surprised onlookers with a 42-inch vertical at the combine on Sunday.

Did you get any messages after recording a 42-inch vertical?

I got some stuff about it. I don’t know if I was really expecting it, but it was pretty cool seeing that. They must’ve messed something up, there’s no way. No, it was pretty cool seeing the 42 on the board after that.

Anyone in the NBA who’s game resembles yours?

There’s a lot of players, I don’t have one player. I always watch my Kentucky boys. Booker is one of the best players in the league right now. Shai, what he’s doing is ridiculous. Jamal Murray. They’re all really good players. Just watching them and seeing how they play. It’s crazy because now I’m looking at it as I’ll be playing against them next year, which is crazy to think. It’s really, really cool watching them and learning from their games, seeing how they have so much success in the league.

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him @omarisankofa.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons could use any of top NBA draft prospects to help defense