Pistons' Drummond selected as All-Star Game reserve
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Andre Drummond will be the first Pistons player since Allen Iverson (2009) and the team's first draft pick since Grant Hill (2000) to play in an NBA All-Star Game.
Although Drummond finished out of the running in voting for All-Star Game starters, he was named an Eastern Conference reserve when the NBA announced the selections Thursday night.
"I'm honored to be selected by the coaches to my first NBA All-Star game," Drummond said in a team press release. "I'd like to thank my coaches and teammates for putting me in a position to have the kind of season I'm having.
"I'd also like to give a special 'thank you' to all the great Detroit Pistons fans for your continued support. I plan on going to Toronto and represent you and the Pistons organization to the best of my ability."
A fourth-year center who was drafted ninth overall in 2002, Drummond leads the NBA in rebounds (career-high 15.2 rpg), defensive rebounds (454), offensive rebounds (246) and double-doubles (38). He's averaging a career-high 17.3 points per game and recorded 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds five times this season. He also has nine games with 20 or more rebounds -- no other player has more than two games with 20 or more rebounds.
Drummond scored a career-high 33 points to go with 21 rebounds at Chicago (12/18) to become the first Pistons player to record 30-plus points and 20-plus rebounds since Dennis Rodman had 34 points and 23 rebounds vs. Denver (1/2/91).
The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be played Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Raptors.
