Former Virginia Tech Guard Malcolm Delaney Makes Pistons Summer Roster
By Ty Hodges
Former Virginia Tech basketball player Malcolm Delaney got some good news today as it was reported that he was invited to join the Detroit Pistons summer league roster. Delaney, who has played in France for the last year, will be replacing Armon Johnson on the Pistons summer roster.
Historically, late-term additions to summer league rosters rarely make the actual squad. However, the Pistons lack a true 3-point shooter and Delaney just came off a season where he shot 41 percent from behind the 3-point line in France. I’m not meaning to suggest that Delaney is a lock to make the roster, but getting exposure against other NBA players after a full professional season in France might earn him some looks from other teams around the league.
In France playing for Elon Chalon, Delaney averaged 15 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, and 3.1 rebounds per game. If Delaney wants to stick in the NBA at some point, he’ll have to prove to teams that not only can he create his own shot (something he’s always been skilled at), but that he can move the ball around as well and get others involved in the offense.
Malcolm Delaney was always the first option at Virginia Tech when he played and he thrived in that role. Against NBA talent though, he will have to watch out against elite defenders that will bait him into taking bad shots around the perimeter. If Delaney can get his assist numbers up a bit and manage to get to the free-throw line like he did in college, he will see his best chance to make an NBA roster for the upcoming season.