Jalen Duren is Fast Tracking His Way to Stardom

Photo: Zariq Turner/BullyBall

Troy Weaver and the Detroit Pistons knew they landed a top prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft when they drafted Jalen Duren after just one season at Memphis.

But it's hard to imagine they knew he would make such a significant impact so soon.

After helping lead the Detroit Pistons to a 118-102 lead over the Chicago Bulls in Detroit’s home opener, Duren had made history. 

His 23-point, 15-rebound double-double, the 22nd of his career, broke a tie with LeBron James for the second-most by a teenager in NBA history. He also joins James as the only teenager in league history to record at least 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game. 

After the game, when notified of the history he had made, and who he shares it with, Duren’s response was rather short. 

“It’s cool.”

Immediately, he turned the attention away from himself.

“I feel like I can’t say it’s just me. My teammates helped me make the game easier. They made the game really easy for me, so I have to credit them. It’s good to feel like we’re going in the right direction. You know, I don’t want to talk too much about me because it’s a team effort.”

But Duren deserves all of the attention, both locally and nationally, that he is beginning to receive. The second-year big has been the team’s best player through the first three games of the season, building off an impressive rookie campaign that was capped off by being selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. But even after such a strong rookie season, Duren is a different player - better - more confident and aggressive. And he knows it. 

“I feel good coming in and having one year under my belt. Kind of understanding the game a lot more and [being able to] slow it down and just understanding where I can be the most effective.”

For now, Duren is most effective on the glass - offensively and defensively. He leads the league in rebounds (46) and rebounds per game (15.3). These gaudy numbers are reminiscent of what Andre Drummond quickly became heralded for during his time in Detroit. 

Speaking of Drummond, only he and Duren have achieved Duren’s stat line on Saturday (23 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, two blocks, and one steal) in the team’s franchise history since 1998. 

Through three games, Duren is averaging 18 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.0  assists, and 2.7 blocks. He’s shooting 80% from the field - missing just six field goals in 100 minutes. His eight blocks are the second most in the league. If he can continue to play at this level, you’ll likely hear conversations begin surrounding his All-Star candidacy and Most Improved Player resumé. But that’s not what he’s concerned about - something both he and head coach Monty Williams are in lockstep on. 

“I see what you see, but I also see his intention to get better,” Williams said postgame on Saturday. “He’s heard all of the stuff about how good he can be, but he knows it comes with a lot of work. He’d be the first to tell you that we’re just getting started. You know, he wouldn’t want to sit up here and hear a bunch of accolades about himself. He’s 19-years-old and has a way to go, but we like the growth that he’s had since we started practicing.”

The Pistons 2-1 start to the 2023-24 season is the best since 2018, when the team won their first four games of the season and returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. 

If the Pistons are going to keep up these newfound winning ways, they’ll need Jalen Duren to continue his fast-paced ascent to stardom.

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