Tayshaun Prince

Tayshaun Prince hails from the highly touted University of Kentucky basketball program. At Kentucky, he earned a reputation as a great defender and agile scorer. Tayshaun was named a second-team Associated Press All-American after his junior season and a third-team AP All-American after his senior season. In his four years with the Cats, he averaged 13.1 points per game and finished as the seventh-leading scorer in UK history.

 

In June 2002 the Detroit Pistons selected Tayshaun with the 23^rd pick in the first round of the NBA Draft. During his rookie season, he received little playing time and took on the role of an apprentice. Undaunted by the lack of playing time, Tayshaun headed to Florida in the off-season and trained rigorously for his sophomore campaign.

 

In his second season in the NBA, Tayshaun played the role of defensive stopper. Detroit’s defense ignited its run through the NBA playoffs, and Tayshaun was central to the defensive effort.

 

With 17 seconds remaining in Game 2 of the 2004 NBA Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers’ Reggie Miller streaked to the basket for a seemingly wide-open, game-tying lay-up and Tayshaun came out of nowhere to swat the shot and preserve the Pistons’ win.

 

The Pistons advanced to the 2004 NBA Finals where they met the LA Lakers. Once again, Tayshaun played a key role in the defensive effort as he limited Kobe Bryant’s offensive production. In game 1 of the Finals, Tayshaun and his 7-foot wingspan were everywhere; causing Bryant to miss 2/3 of his shots.

 

The Pistons dethroned the LA Lakers in Game 5 of the 2004 NBA Finals and became the World Champions. Former coach Larry Brown attributed the championship run to playing “The Right Way:” defense, hustle and teamwork.

 

Tayshaun did not become complacent with his championship ring. In his third season (2004-2005) he took his game to another level by averaging career highs in points (14.7), field goal percentage (.487), free throws (.807), rebounds (5.3), assists (3.0), blocks (.87) and minutes played (37.1). And Tayshaun remained an outstanding defensive player, using his quick feet and lean 6-foot-9 frame to stymie opponents. At season’s end, he was named to All-NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

 

In June 2005 the Pistons made another great run for the championship only to fall short in a critical game seven against the San Antonio Spurs.

 

Tayshaun and the Pistons entered the 2005-2006 NBA season with new head coach Flip Saunders and a sense of offensive freedom. Although his potential for shots has increased, he still continues to do all of the little things to help the team win.

 

"People can say what they want," Coach Saunders said, "but Tayshaun is one of the best three (small-forward) defenders in the game. He is long and quick and he can defend different people on the perimeter."