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Pistons guard was passed over in the draft
Jenkins on not being nominated in the draft: “Absolute madness for me”
The Detroit Pistons made an exclamation mark in the top game against the New York Knicks. However, it was not star player Cade Cunningham who became the match winner, but the undrafted second-year professional Daniss Jenkins. It was his last possible appearance as a two-way player. However, there is no question that the guard will continue in the NBA.
The success of the Detroit Pistons has many reasons. Whether it’s the defensive intensity, the young dynamic or of course MVP candidate Cade Cunningham. But another player who probably only a few people had on their radar before this season also played a part in this: Daniss Jenkins.
Having been passed over in the 2024 draft, the guard then only earned a two-way contract in Detroit. He only played 21 minutes in his entire rookie season. It was only after a few good appearances in the G-League that he became the focus of NBA coach JB Bickerstaff.
Within a year, the tide turned for the 24-year-old. In his third game of the season he was on the floor for 22 minutes – longer than in the entire previous season. Jenkins was one of the few bright spots in the clear home defeat against Cleveland.
Jenkinss earns backup position to Cunningham
In the Pistons’ squad structure, he also benefited from the fact that the Pistons deliberately wanted to fill star player Cade Cunningham’s backup position internally. In the absence of the much-injured Marcus Sasser, Jenkins took advantage of his minutes. Extrapolated to 36 minutes, Jenkins scores strong 17.0 points and 7.1 assists while shooting just under 39 percent from the three-point line.
As a two-way player, Jenkins’ place in the NBA has not been guaranteed. Players with such a working paper are only allowed to play 42 season games per season. In his last possible deployment, of all things, the guard made another exclamation point. In the statement win in the East Kracher against the Knicks, he became the match winner with 18 points (7/11) and three assists.
Detroit Pistons: Upcoming games
Jenkinss on not being nominated in the draft: “Madness that drives me”
It was already clear to the Pistons after the end of the game that he would receive a standard contract that would make him a permanent member of the squad. “We will convert his contract over the weekend,” confirmed GM Trajan Langford.
For Jenkins, this ends a phase of almost a year and a half of uncertain future in the league. He now made it clear to all those who didn’t see him as one of the 60 best draft picks. He was able to prove the opposite. He already knew in college that he belonged in the NBA. “Most of the others were drafted. What was the difference between them and me?” he asked after the Knicks victory. “For me, not being nominated in the draft was absolute madness. It’s madness – and that’s what drives me.”
