There was a compelling moment during the recent Las Vegas Summer League tournament where Detroit Pistons’ standout Tolu Smith remarkably channeled the legendary vision and passing prowess of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. This pivotal display underscored Smith’s multifaceted talent and his significant potential heading into his sophomore NBA season, setting a high bar for what fans can expect.
The specific play unfolded when Smith, a commanding 6-foot-11 center, received an entry pass from Chaz Lanier. With a swift, decisive move, Smith took Houston Rockets’ N’Faly Dante off the dribble, demonstrating an agility uncommon for his size. Spotting Daniss Jenkins cutting to the basket, Smith executed a spectacular spinning bounce pass, perfectly setting up Jenkins for a two-handed dunk, marking one of his four assists in that game.
This particular assist to Jenkins highlighted two crucial attributes that define Smith’s evolving game. Firstly, it showcased the burgeoning chemistry and camaraderie he has diligently developed with his teammates, signaling a strong foundational unit. Secondly, it powerfully demonstrated his all-around talent, affirming his status as a truly versatile big man capable of much more than just scoring or rebounding.
Smith’s impactful contributions were instrumental to the Pistons achieving a respectable 3-2 record in the competitive Las Vegas summer tournament. Beyond the wins, his consistently strong performance helped establish a solid foundation, hinting at the potential for an impressive second season with the Detroit Pistons and their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, as he continues to hone his professional skills.
Across five games played in Las Vegas, Smith delivered compelling statistics, averaging 13 points on 50% shooting, alongside eight rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.8 assists. Reflecting on his approach, Smith emphasized, “With events like this, players want to show that they can be the leading scorer and the kind of bag they have. I wanted to show that I am a threat on both offense and defense. Being an all-around player who can make the right plays at the right time.” He is one of three players joining the Pistons on a two-way deal next season, including Jaylin Williams and Daniss Jenkins, showcasing the team’s commitment to his development.
This will be Smith’s second year with the franchise, having signed as a free agent following the 2024 NBA Draft. His debut season in the G League was highly successful, where he posted remarkable averages of 17.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Though he went undrafted out of Mississippi State, Smith remains profoundly grateful for the start of his professional career, yet he harbors an unyielding sense of ambition and remains unsatisfied with past accomplishments.
Smith firmly believes his stellar performance during the Summer League vividly demonstrated his capability to secure a permanent role at the coveted NBA level. While patiently awaiting that significant opportunity, he maintains an exceptional work ethic, relentlessly building upon the success achieved in his previous year. An initial setback, a broken finger, forced Smith to begin his rookie season watching from the sidelines. Rather than succumbing to discouragement, he strategically leveraged this period to meticulously study the game from a different perspective, gaining invaluable insights into the professional game and understanding how the G League can significantly enhance a player’s talents for elevation to the primary team.
“Once I started playing, I felt right at home,” Smith recounted, praising the coaching staff. “The coaching staff was great with what they wanted from me and the expectations they had. They did a great job of relaying the message of what (the Pistons) want from me. Having the opportunity to play in the G League was a great thing for me. It gave me the opportunity to learn both the offense and defense while getting a feel for an NBA game.” Smith was among 79 players called up to the NBA last season, making his debut on April 13th against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he proved his G League performance was no fluke, finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.
Smith further elucidated the seamless integration between the two levels: “Everything that is coached on the main team is coached on the G League team. If guys go down or something happens, we won’t be behind the eight ball. We are right there. We understand the system. We know every play. We know the defensive scheme. It’s a great feeling that both teams are on one accord.” Whether it’s defending, rebounding, or orchestrating scoring, Smith is driven to continually showcase his versatility next season, always aiming for a team-first mentality by creating scoring opportunities through his adept playmaking and passing skills, determined to “show everyone that I am that player that I think I am.”
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