NBA draft: Detroit Pistons to look at raw Texas center Jarrett Allen

Vince Ellis | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Preachin Pistons - June 12, 2017 In this episode of "Preachin' Pistons" podcast, Vince Ellis talks with Pistons director of international scouting J.R. Holden about why fans shouldn't fear foreign draft prospects, and what has changed since 2003, when Pistons drafted Darko Milicic.

Jarrett Allen is scheduled to be the next big-name frontcourt prospect to visit the Detroit Pistons.

The Texas center, projected to go in the first round of the NBA draft later this month, will work out for the Pistons on Thursday, according to Tandem Sports & Entertainment, the agency that represents Allen.

Allen will join UCLA’s Ike Anigbogu, Duke’s Harry Giles, Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo and North Carolina’s Tony Bradley as frontcourt products who have worked out for the Pistons, who hold the 12th overall pick on June 22.

Creighton center Justin Patton is also scheduled to work out with the Pistons, but it’s not clear when that will occur.

Allen, 19, left Texas after one season. His 12 double-doubles were the most by a freshman in the country.

Allen is raw, but his length is an attraction with draft combine measurements of a 7-5 wingspan to go along with a 9-2 standing reach. It more than makes up for his 6-10 height, which could be considered undersized for a center. But it’s hardly a concern in the modern game with the advent of small-ball.

Add quick feet and quick leaping ability, and you have a prospect made for development.

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

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