Detroit Pistons at 50:
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2485/1/Detroit-Pistons-at-50/Page1.html
Bill Hoover, Jr., SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
By Bill Hoover, Jr., SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Published on 03/12/2008
With the 2008 NBA All-Star weekend now a memory, the Pistons find themselves in the second half of the organization’s yearlong celebration of its 50th year in Michigan. As the Pistons recognize their half-century representing Detroit, fans should remember, too, that many Detroit Public School League (PSL) standouts have been a part of this storied franchise’s history.
Terry Tyler
Lindsay Hairston
With the 2008 NBA All-Star weekend now a memory, the Pistons find themselves in the second half of the organization’s yearlong celebration of its 50th year in Michigan. As the Pistons recognize their half-century representing Detroit, fans should remember, too, that many Detroit Public School League (PSL) standouts have been a part of this storied franchise’s history.
In all, 17 former PSL stars have played for the Detroit Pistons, 21 have been drafted by Detroit, and at least 15 more have competed for roster spots as invitees to the Pistons’ training camp.
1957-58 through 1966-67
During the team’s first six seasons in Detroit, no PSL alumni managed to crack the Pistons’ regular-season roster, but severral came close. These men, “Jumpin’” Johnny Kline (Northwestern/Northeastern), in 1957, and Fred Prime (Mumford), Ed “Stone” Stewart (Miller/Northeastern), and Kenny Nevels (Chadsey), in 1962, each participated in preseason camps.
Prime was a high-scoring guard at Wayne (State) University, Nevels was a two-sport star at Dillard (La.) College, and “Stone” Stewart, who never attended college, was a high school first-team All-City star on par with his senior year contemporaries of Austin’s Dave DeBusschere and Northeastern’s/Northwestern’s Charlie North. Each man eventually played professionally in other leagues.
Kline was the most decorated player going into camp, having earned All-American honors at Wayne (State) University and having already played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters. In addition to the long odds facing anyone trying to make the NBA, as men of African American descent, the odds were even greater. When these men went to camp in 1957 and 1962, the NBA was only 15 percent and 38 percent Black, respectively, even though the league had opened shop for the 1946-47 season.
The NBA Draft of 1962 was significant because, for the first time in the team’s history, the Pistons selected a player from the PSL. In fact, they drafted two – Eastern’s Reggie Harding, who also attended Northeastern, in the fourth round, and Redford’s Mike Rice, who also attended Cass Tech, in the eighth.
Harding was a 7-footer and a high school legend. He led Eastern to three consecutive City Championships and twice was named as a high school All-American. Harding, who never attended college, unfortunately was ruled ineligible by the NBA to join the Pistons until his high school class had been graduated for one year. He bided his time by assuming various jobs in the Pistons’ organization and playing professionally for the Goose Tatum Harlem RoadKings.
After the Pistons selected Harding again during the 1963 NBA Draft, he finally was allowed to suit up during the 1963-64 season. Harding went on to play three of his four NBA seasons in Detroit.
The only other PSLer to make the Pistons during that first decade was Northern High’s Bill Buntin (University of Michigan), who had also attended Cass Tech. Buntin was a two-time college All-American, but injuries derailed his career and he played only one NBA season (1965-66).
1967-68 through 1976-77
The racial climate of the NBA was improving, as was evident by the fact that Blacks had become the majority race in the NBA during the 1966-67 season. Still, the Pistons’ second decade in Detroit continued to be difficult for PSL products to win and keep a roster spot with the hometown team.
Cass Tech’s Dorie Murrey (University of Detroit) made the 1967-68 squad, but played his final five NBA seasons elsewhere. Southwestern’s Cliff “Chain” Williams, who also attended River Rouge High, made the 1968-69 team. Williams was a high school All-American and set a PSL record by scoring 61 points in a game, but his career with the Pistons lasted only three games.
The next two PSLers to make the Pistons were Eric Money (University of Arizona) and Lindsay Hairston (Michigan State). As high school teammates at Kettering High School, the two won back-to-back City Championships, and Hairston earned All-American honors. Money, who joined the Pistons for the 1974-75 schedule, managed to play four of his five NBA seasons for Detroit. But Hairston, who made the 1975-76 roster, left after just 47 games for a long career overseas.
Two other significant PSL products came to the Pistons during the 1975-76 season, trainer Mike Abdenour (Denby) and scout/administrator extraordinaire Will Robinson. Though Robinson did not attend school in Detroit, he is, nevertheless, a PSL legend – an athletic pioneer and Hall of Famer who coached at Miller, Cass Tech, Pershing, and Illinois State University. Both men joined the franchise in 1975. Abdenour is still with the team and Robinson retired in 2003.
Pershing’s Ralph Simpson (Michigan State), who also attended Southeastern High, came to Pistons for the 1976-77 season from the Denver Rockets and the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he had been named to the ABA All-Star team five times. In high school, Simpson was named the top high school All-American in the country and (with Robinson coaching) won a Class A State Championship. In college, he earned Academic and Basketball All-American honors. Simpson played one-and-a-half years in Detroit before moving on to finish his 10-year ABA/NBA career.
1977-78 through 1986-87
The third decade of Detroit Pistons basketball saw the largest number of PSLers to date play for the home team. In 1978-79, Pershing’s Robert “Bubbles” Hawkins (Illinois State) joined the Pistons. In high school, Hawkins was named an All-American, as he led the Doughboys to City and State titles. Hawkins wrapped up his four-year NBA-career with the Pistons, appearing in four games.
Northwestern’s Terry Tyler (U of D), who first attended Central High, also joined the team during the 1978-79 season. At Northwestern, Tyler was named a high school All-American and led the Colts to a City Championship. With the Pistons, he played seven seasons, before moving on to finish his 11-year NBA career.
Henry Ford’s Gregory Kelser (MSU) and Murray-Wright’s James McElroy (Monroe C.C./Central Michigan) joined the Pistons for the 1978-79 season. Kelser won an NCAA National Championship in college and earned Basketball and Academic All-American honors at MSU.
Kelser, the Pistons’ No. 1 pick and the fourth overall selection in the 1979 NBA Draft, played three of his six NBA seasons with the Pistons. McElroy, who joined the Pistons from New Orleans, played only a portion of one season, before moving onto Atlanta, where he finished his seven-year NBA career.
Northwestern’s Alan Hardy (U of M) joined the Pistons from the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1981-82 season. Hardy, who was a member of one City Championship in high school, appeared in 38 games before leaving the NBA.
Finney’s Earl “The Twirl” Cureton (Robert Morris/U of D) joined the Pistons from Philadelphia for the 1983-84 season. Cureton, who played 12 NBA seasons, including winning titles with Philadelphia in 1983 and Houston in 1994, moved on to Chicago after three years in Detroit.
Chadsey’s Dan Roundfield (CMU) came to Detroit for the 1983-84 season from Atlanta. The one-time All-Star played one season with the Pistons before moving on to Washington, where he ended his 12-year ABA/NBA career.
1997-98 through 2007-08
The Pistons were completely devoid of a PSL player during its fourth decade (1988-1997), but bounced back with three players in its fifth decade. Finney’s Jermaine Jackson (U of D Mercy) joined the Pistons for the 1999-00 season. Jackson, who was a Harlem Globetrotters’ College All-Star, played the first of his five NBA seasons with the Pistons.
Denby’s Victor Alexander (Iowa State) returned to the NBA after six years overseas to wrap up his five-year NBA career with the Pistons during the 2001-02 season.
Northern’s Derrick Coleman (Syracuse), who also attended Cooley, joined the Pistons for the 2004-05 season following a trade with Philadelphia. In high school, Coleman won a City Championship and earned All-American honors. In college, Coleman was a two-time All-American. He was the first player picked in the 1990 NBA Draft (by New Jersey), and was selected to one All-Star Game. Coleman wrapped up his 15-year NBA career by appearing in five games for the Pistons.
For the Pistons and the PSL, it’s been a grand 50 years.
SIDEBARS
Detroit Pistons draft choices from the PSL
Year Player Round High School
1962 Reggie Harding 4th Northeastern/Eastern
1962 Mike Rice 8th Cass Tech/Redford
1963 Reggie Harding 6th Northeastern/Eastern
1963 Ira Harge 7th Northeastern
1965 Bill Buntin 1st Cass Tech/Northern
1966 Dorie Murrey 2nd Cass Tech
1966 Oliver Darden 3rd Western
1970 Marv Copeland 7th Northern
1971 Leroy Jenkins 17th Northwestern
1971 Ike Bundy 18th Mackenzie
1973 Dennis Johnson 6th Redford
1973 Bob Solomon 10th Northern
1974 Eric Money 2nd Kettering
1975 Lindsay Hairston 4th Kettering
1975 Cliff Pratt 5th Murray-Wright
1976 Randy Henry 8th Mackenzie
1978 Terry Tyler 2nd Central/Northwestern
1979 Greg Kelser 1st Henry Ford
1983 Marlow McClain 9th Murray-Wright
1985 Vincent Giles 6th Henry Ford
1987 Antoine Joubert 6th Southwestern
2004 Rickey Paulding 2nd Renaissance
Detroit Pistons Training Camp invitees from the PSL*
Year Name High School
1957 John Kline Northwestern/Northeastern
1962 Fred Prime Mumford
1962 Ed Stewart Miller/Northeastern
1962 Kenny Nevels Chadsey
1967 Mike Jackson Eastern
1968 Cliff Williams River Rouge/Southwestern
1971 Charles Hudson Western
1973 Tom “Cookie” Marsh Northern
1974 Gary Waters Mackenzie
1979 Alan Hardy Northwestern
1983 circa Anthony White Murray-Wright
1985 Spencer Haywood Pershing
1989 Demetreus Gore Chadsey
1990 Paris McCurdy Cooley
1991 Lorenzo Neely Bishop Borgess/Northern
1999 Willie Mitchell Pershing
1999 Jermaine Jackson Finney
* Based on available information.
With the 2008 NBA All-Star weekend now a memory, the Pistons find themselves in the second half of the organization’s yearlong celebration of its 50th year in Michigan. As the Pistons recognize their half-century representing Detroit, fans should remember, too, that many Detroit Public School League (PSL) standouts have been a part of this storied franchise’s history.Pistons 50th year in Michigan
Terry Tyler
Lindsay Hairston
With the 2008 NBA All-Star weekend now a memory, the Pistons find themselves in the second half of the organization’s yearlong celebration of its 50th year in Michigan. As the Pistons recognize their half-century representing Detroit, fans should remember, too, that many Detroit Public School League (PSL) standouts have been a part of this storied franchise’s history.
In all, 17 former PSL stars have played for the Detroit Pistons, 21 have been drafted by Detroit, and at least 15 more have competed for roster spots as invitees to the Pistons’ training camp.
1957-58 through 1966-67
During the team’s first six seasons in Detroit, no PSL alumni managed to crack the Pistons’ regular-season roster, but severral came close. These men, “Jumpin’” Johnny Kline (Northwestern/Northeastern), in 1957, and Fred Prime (Mumford), Ed “Stone” Stewart (Miller/Northeastern), and Kenny Nevels (Chadsey), in 1962, each participated in preseason camps.
Prime was a high-scoring guard at Wayne (State) University, Nevels was a two-sport star at Dillard (La.) College, and “Stone” Stewart, who never attended college, was a high school first-team All-City star on par with his senior year contemporaries of Austin’s Dave DeBusschere and Northeastern’s/Northwestern’s Charlie North. Each man eventually played professionally in other leagues.
Kline was the most decorated player going into camp, having earned All-American honors at Wayne (State) University and having already played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters. In addition to the long odds facing anyone trying to make the NBA, as men of African American descent, the odds were even greater. When these men went to camp in 1957 and 1962, the NBA was only 15 percent and 38 percent Black, respectively, even though the league had opened shop for the 1946-47 season.
The NBA Draft of 1962 was significant because, for the first time in the team’s history, the Pistons selected a player from the PSL. In fact, they drafted two – Eastern’s Reggie Harding, who also attended Northeastern, in the fourth round, and Redford’s Mike Rice, who also attended Cass Tech, in the eighth.
Harding was a 7-footer and a high school legend. He led Eastern to three consecutive City Championships and twice was named as a high school All-American. Harding, who never attended college, unfortunately was ruled ineligible by the NBA to join the Pistons until his high school class had been graduated for one year. He bided his time by assuming various jobs in the Pistons’ organization and playing professionally for the Goose Tatum Harlem RoadKings.
After the Pistons selected Harding again during the 1963 NBA Draft, he finally was allowed to suit up during the 1963-64 season. Harding went on to play three of his four NBA seasons in Detroit.
The only other PSLer to make the Pistons during that first decade was Northern High’s Bill Buntin (University of Michigan), who had also attended Cass Tech. Buntin was a two-time college All-American, but injuries derailed his career and he played only one NBA season (1965-66).
1967-68 through 1976-77
The racial climate of the NBA was improving, as was evident by the fact that Blacks had become the majority race in the NBA during the 1966-67 season. Still, the Pistons’ second decade in Detroit continued to be difficult for PSL products to win and keep a roster spot with the hometown team.
Cass Tech’s Dorie Murrey (University of Detroit) made the 1967-68 squad, but played his final five NBA seasons elsewhere. Southwestern’s Cliff “Chain” Williams, who also attended River Rouge High, made the 1968-69 team. Williams was a high school All-American and set a PSL record by scoring 61 points in a game, but his career with the Pistons lasted only three games.
The next two PSLers to make the Pistons were Eric Money (University of Arizona) and Lindsay Hairston (Michigan State). As high school teammates at Kettering High School, the two won back-to-back City Championships, and Hairston earned All-American honors. Money, who joined the Pistons for the 1974-75 schedule, managed to play four of his five NBA seasons for Detroit. But Hairston, who made the 1975-76 roster, left after just 47 games for a long career overseas.
Two other significant PSL products came to the Pistons during the 1975-76 season, trainer Mike Abdenour (Denby) and scout/administrator extraordinaire Will Robinson. Though Robinson did not attend school in Detroit, he is, nevertheless, a PSL legend – an athletic pioneer and Hall of Famer who coached at Miller, Cass Tech, Pershing, and Illinois State University. Both men joined the franchise in 1975. Abdenour is still with the team and Robinson retired in 2003.
Pershing’s Ralph Simpson (Michigan State), who also attended Southeastern High, came to Pistons for the 1976-77 season from the Denver Rockets and the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he had been named to the ABA All-Star team five times. In high school, Simpson was named the top high school All-American in the country and (with Robinson coaching) won a Class A State Championship. In college, he earned Academic and Basketball All-American honors. Simpson played one-and-a-half years in Detroit before moving on to finish his 10-year ABA/NBA career.
1977-78 through 1986-87
The third decade of Detroit Pistons basketball saw the largest number of PSLers to date play for the home team. In 1978-79, Pershing’s Robert “Bubbles” Hawkins (Illinois State) joined the Pistons. In high school, Hawkins was named an All-American, as he led the Doughboys to City and State titles. Hawkins wrapped up his four-year NBA-career with the Pistons, appearing in four games.
Northwestern’s Terry Tyler (U of D), who first attended Central High, also joined the team during the 1978-79 season. At Northwestern, Tyler was named a high school All-American and led the Colts to a City Championship. With the Pistons, he played seven seasons, before moving on to finish his 11-year NBA career.
Henry Ford’s Gregory Kelser (MSU) and Murray-Wright’s James McElroy (Monroe C.C./Central Michigan) joined the Pistons for the 1978-79 season. Kelser won an NCAA National Championship in college and earned Basketball and Academic All-American honors at MSU.
Kelser, the Pistons’ No. 1 pick and the fourth overall selection in the 1979 NBA Draft, played three of his six NBA seasons with the Pistons. McElroy, who joined the Pistons from New Orleans, played only a portion of one season, before moving onto Atlanta, where he finished his seven-year NBA career.
Northwestern’s Alan Hardy (U of M) joined the Pistons from the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1981-82 season. Hardy, who was a member of one City Championship in high school, appeared in 38 games before leaving the NBA.
Finney’s Earl “The Twirl” Cureton (Robert Morris/U of D) joined the Pistons from Philadelphia for the 1983-84 season. Cureton, who played 12 NBA seasons, including winning titles with Philadelphia in 1983 and Houston in 1994, moved on to Chicago after three years in Detroit.
Chadsey’s Dan Roundfield (CMU) came to Detroit for the 1983-84 season from Atlanta. The one-time All-Star played one season with the Pistons before moving on to Washington, where he ended his 12-year ABA/NBA career.
1997-98 through 2007-08
The Pistons were completely devoid of a PSL player during its fourth decade (1988-1997), but bounced back with three players in its fifth decade. Finney’s Jermaine Jackson (U of D Mercy) joined the Pistons for the 1999-00 season. Jackson, who was a Harlem Globetrotters’ College All-Star, played the first of his five NBA seasons with the Pistons.
Denby’s Victor Alexander (Iowa State) returned to the NBA after six years overseas to wrap up his five-year NBA career with the Pistons during the 2001-02 season.
Northern’s Derrick Coleman (Syracuse), who also attended Cooley, joined the Pistons for the 2004-05 season following a trade with Philadelphia. In high school, Coleman won a City Championship and earned All-American honors. In college, Coleman was a two-time All-American. He was the first player picked in the 1990 NBA Draft (by New Jersey), and was selected to one All-Star Game. Coleman wrapped up his 15-year NBA career by appearing in five games for the Pistons.
For the Pistons and the PSL, it’s been a grand 50 years.
SIDEBARS
Detroit Pistons draft choices from the PSL
Year Player Round High School
1962 Reggie Harding 4th Northeastern/Eastern
1962 Mike Rice 8th Cass Tech/Redford
1963 Reggie Harding 6th Northeastern/Eastern
1963 Ira Harge 7th Northeastern
1965 Bill Buntin 1st Cass Tech/Northern
1966 Dorie Murrey 2nd Cass Tech
1966 Oliver Darden 3rd Western
1970 Marv Copeland 7th Northern
1971 Leroy Jenkins 17th Northwestern
1971 Ike Bundy 18th Mackenzie
1973 Dennis Johnson 6th Redford
1973 Bob Solomon 10th Northern
1974 Eric Money 2nd Kettering
1975 Lindsay Hairston 4th Kettering
1975 Cliff Pratt 5th Murray-Wright
1976 Randy Henry 8th Mackenzie
1978 Terry Tyler 2nd Central/Northwestern
1979 Greg Kelser 1st Henry Ford
1983 Marlow McClain 9th Murray-Wright
1985 Vincent Giles 6th Henry Ford
1987 Antoine Joubert 6th Southwestern
2004 Rickey Paulding 2nd Renaissance
Detroit Pistons Training Camp invitees from the PSL*
Year Name High School
1957 John Kline Northwestern/Northeastern
1962 Fred Prime Mumford
1962 Ed Stewart Miller/Northeastern
1962 Kenny Nevels Chadsey
1967 Mike Jackson Eastern
1968 Cliff Williams River Rouge/Southwestern
1971 Charles Hudson Western
1973 Tom “Cookie” Marsh Northern
1974 Gary Waters Mackenzie
1979 Alan Hardy Northwestern
1983 circa Anthony White Murray-Wright
1985 Spencer Haywood Pershing
1989 Demetreus Gore Chadsey
1990 Paris McCurdy Cooley
1991 Lorenzo Neely Bishop Borgess/Northern
1999 Willie Mitchell Pershing
1999 Jermaine Jackson Finney
* Based on available information.