NBA Rumors: Detroit Pistons' Darrun Hilliard to Wear Mask for 3 Weeks After Nose Injury, Pistons to Reduce Small Forward Roster

9227284
Darrun Hilliard will participate in Detroit Pistons' training camp with a mask on his face for three weeks.  Darrun Hilliard on Facebook

Detroit Pistons rookie shooting guard Darrun Hilliard sustained a nose injury while playing pickup basketball last week. However, he is not expected to miss training camp once it commences on Tuesday.

The team has announced that the second-round pick underwent surgery at Beaumont Hospital to repair his broken nose. The operation was reportedly a success but Hilliard will have to wear a protective mask for the next three weeks. It will help with his recovery process as the Pistons clarified that he will continue all basketball-related activities.

The 22-year-old shooting guard's injury and the mask fitted onto his face is similar to other former Pistons players, such as Rip Hamilton, Brandon Knight and Kyle Singler, who endured the same condition.

The setback, with a timetable of three weeks, is not seen as an interference to the rookie guard's preparations for training camp. As mentioned, it will begin on Tuesday and the first exhibition game is slated on October 6 when Detroit will play host to the Indiana Pacers.

In college, Hilliard played four seasons for the Villanova Wildcats and delivered an average of 14.3 points in each of the last two years and shooting 39% from 3-point range in his last season. In June 2015, the Pistons chose him as the 38th overall in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. He signed a three-year deal with the team, with one year being guaranteed.

However, the 6-foot-3-inch-tall player has disappointed during the Orlando Summer League after averaging nine points each game despite taking the team's second highest number of attempts. Hilliard's percentages were below average; shooting 29% from the field and 31% from three point range.

His chances of landing a position in the rotation will depend on how he performs in training camp and during the preseason. He will compete with the likes of Reggie Bullock, Adonis Thomas, Cartier Martin and Danny Granger.

Speaking of Hilliard and the small forward (SF) position, the Detroit Pistons will also need to reduce their lineup down to the 15-man limit prior to the start of the 2015-16 regular season late next month. At present, the Pistons has six players on the roster who play at small forward.

As a result, some of those SFs will be moved off the team through waivers or trades. David Mayo of MLive.com has shared an in-depth analysis of the team's SF roster and mentioned that it is the position of "greatest intrigue" in training camp.

Mayo explained that the Pistons "are going with Morris and the two rookies (Johnson and Hilliard) at this position, plus perhaps Bullock, and are not looking to invest here otherwise. They have a chance to keep Johnson and Morris together on the cheap, while paying big deals to point guard Reggie Jackson and center Drummond, with both concepts equally important to the team's long-term business direction."

The Pistons small forward roster includes Marcus Morris, Stanley Johnson, Reggie Bullock, Darrun Hilliard, Cartier Martin and Danny Granger. They will all compete to fill the last two spots on Detroit's bench.  

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.