Syracuse Basketball: Jerami Grant All-Star selection push

Syracuse Basketball alumnus Jerami Grant is earning buzz for his play in Detroit, and the forward should be headed towards his first All-Star selection.

Former Syracuse basketball star Jerami Grant raised a lot of eyebrows when he accepted a three-year, $60 million contract with the Detroit Pistons in November. Heads turned more when Grant’s former team, the Denver Nuggets, reportedly offered him a similar contract to return to the runners-up in the Western Conference.

To explain the decision, Grant said he was “intrigued” by the challenge to grow as a player and being the go-to guy with the Pistons. Grant also noted his connection with former Syracuse basketball assistant coach Troy Weaver and the relationship they have had.

Detroit has not racked up wins like they were hoping for this season, but it is no fault of Grant’s. He is averaging a career-high 23.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 40.2% from three, and 87.4% from the free-throw line.

Grant isn’t just getting it done when compared to his teammates, but he is also t-20th in the league in win shares, t-10th in the Eastern Conference, and currently ahead of reigning two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo early on. Grant is one of seven frontcourt players, who he will compete for a spot against, averaging 23 points and 6 rebounds per game with only five of them from the Eastern Conference.

All-Star voting began Thursday at noon and will run until the end of day Tuesday, February 16. According to Shams Charania, the NBA continues to discuss whether it will hold an All-Star Game but regardless will “recognize” All-Stars for their play.

Grant just hours after voting began might have had one of his worst-counting stat games, with 14 points, 3 rebounds, but 6 assists as his Pistons knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers and early MVP favorite LeBron James. This was only the third time Grant was held under 20 points this season while he was the primary defender against James and held him scoreless and 0-for-2 from the field.

Grant’s play has been noticed around the league as The Athletic’s John Hollinger put Grant on his NBA All-Surprise Team. Hollinger noted how poorly the Pistons might just be without Grant, as the team is outscored by 15.4 per 100 possessions comparing when Grant is on the court versus when he is on the bench.

If selected Grant would be the first former Orange All-Star since the 2017 game when Carmelo Anthony made his last team. Grant will join Anthony, Derrick Coleman, Dave Bing, and Billy Gabor as the 5th NBA All-Star to come out of Syracuse basketball. With 19 games in the books and 13 more for Grant before the final teams are announced, there is still work to do to build upon a strong All-Star resume.