Chris Smith signs with Detroit Pistons as undrafted free agent

The former UCLA guard and 2019-2020 Pac-12 Most Improved Player is recovering from a torn ACL

This post was updated July 30 at 11:25 a.m.

The Bruins may not have had anyone picked Thursday night, but their senior leader still found a new home.

Guard Chris Smith has reportedly agreed to sign a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, according to a report late Thursday night from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Smith went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft after electing to stay in the draft pool July 5.

Smith was flirting with first-round draft grades ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft before eventually deciding to return to UCLA men's basketball for his senior season. After putting up comparable numbers to his junior season through eight games, Smith tore his ACL against Utah on Dec. 31.

The injury caused Smith to tumble down big boards, and he was not expected to get picked in Thursday's draft heading into the event. Still, the former Bruin averaged 13.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in 2019-2020, earning the Pac-12 Most Improved Player Award in the process.

6-foot-9 guards don't come around all that often, and it's even more rare for them to shoot 50% from 3 like Smith did this year.

Smith is not anticipated to be recovered in time to join the Pistons' summer league squad.

While not technically part of Detroit's 2021 draft class, Smith will be entering the organization alongside some major college stars.

The Pistons selected Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night. In the second round, Detroit picked Michigan wing Isaiah Livers with the No. 42 pick and Iowa big man Luka Garza – the reigning consensus National Player of the Year – at No. 52.

Smith likely has a few months to go before he is back to 100%. When he does get back on the court, he'll either be joining an NBA team that hasn't won a playoff series since 2008 or their G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.

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