Tolu Smith settles into a short-minutes role behind the Pistons' frontcourt
Tolu Smith is in his second season with Detroit and is not on the injury report. He has appeared in five games this fall, mostly in single-digit minutes, after a 15-game rookie season in 2025-26.
By the Pistons Nightly Desk · updated 20 h ago01The story of the nightWhat the early games showSmith's October has been a mix of spot minutes and one real stretch.
Smith's October has been a mix of spot minutes and one real stretch. Against Washington on October 10 he played 15.5 minutes and grabbed 13 rebounds with 6 points in a loss. He added 6 points and 6 rebounds in 9.5 minutes in a win over Minnesota on October 14, then 3 points and 2 rebounds in 9.1 minutes against Toronto. He did not get on the floor in the October 20 win over Boston. The pattern is clear: he rebounds when he plays, and the minutes depend on the night.
02Where he stands after last seasonLast season Smith played 15 games for Detroit, averaging 9.2 minutes, 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Last season Smith played 15 games for Detroit, averaging 9.2 minutes, 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds. He shot 50.0 percent from the field, did not take a three, and hit 66.7 percent at the line, with a true shooting mark of 56.9 and a usage rate of 17.7. He saw brief playoff minutes in May, including 4 points in 5.4 minutes against Cleveland on May 17. The 6-11 forward out of Mississippi State is 26 and wears number 35.
Smith3.7 ppg
Nnaji3.7 ppg
