Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

Stan Van Gundy isn’t surprised by Yogi Ferrell’s success.

The Detroit Pistons face the Dallas Mavericks' rookie point guard tonight (7:30, FSD) in both teams’ final game before the NBA All-Star break.

The Pistons considered taking Ferrell with their second-round pick in June's draft but took swingman Michael Gbinije instead. They also explored signing him after he went undrafted, with the intention of inviting him to summer league and training camp, but he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

He later was waived but now has found a home with the Mavericks. In nine games, he has averaged 15.2 points and is shooting 47% from three-point range.

The Mavericks have signed the 6-footer to a two-year deal.

Big Ten fans, of course, are familiar with Ferrell’s work at Indiana.

“He’s really quick. He’s a tough competitor. He carried a good team for most of his college career and he can really shoot the ball,” Van Gundy said this morning. “There really wasn’t anything not to like. I think all those guys get downgraded a little because they’re seniors, and his size, so maybe some people downgraded.

“Other than that, I don’t know what you couldn’t like about him. Everything else is there. Quickness, decision making, shooting. Really tough competitor. It’s all there.”

How to watch tonight's Detroit Pistons-Dallas Mavericks game

SVG’s thoughts on report: ESPN.com published a Pistons report from Zach Lowe this morning. It’s an interesting read that examines the uncertainty and promise of the team, with tidbits on Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and the team’s trade prospects. Van Gundy took exception to calling it "illuminating."

“I’ve heard about it,” Van Gundy said. “He throws a lot of stuff out there, so I don’t know if that’s illuminating. I could write a lot of stuff, too, but would that be illuminating?

“Would it be illuminating or would it be (expletive)? There’s a fine line between illuminating and (expletive).”

Detroit Pistons’ Henry Ellenson: Season going well but ‘not easy’

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.