Derrick Walton Jr.’s return to Michigan ends with 10-day contract from Detroit Pistons

Derrick Walton Jr., a former Michigan Wolverines standout on the basketball court, is reportedly set to sign a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Walton, a Detroit native, was placed on waivers by the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 6 after being traded there in exchange for a second-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers. Walton appeared in 23 games with the Clips this season, scoring 2.2 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting (42.9 percent from three-point range).

His time in the NBA has also included stints with the Miami Heats and Chicago Bulls after being undrafted in 2017.

Walton attended Chandler Park Academy in Harper Woods, Michigan as a high schooler before spending four season at Michigan from 2013-17. He won 93 games in his Michigan career, averaging 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He was a freshman on the 2014 team that made a run to the Elite Eight, as well as leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten Tournament title in 2017 while averaging 15.5 points per game.

He was in town over the NBA All-Star break for Michigan’s 89-64 win over Indiana on Sunday and had his number retired at Chandler Park Academy on Wednesday night. The Pistons were short on guard depth after agreeing to a buyout with Reggie Jackson earlier this week. Walton now has a 10-day audition with a clearly rebuilding team that could give him a shot to stick on an NBA roster.

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