Former HBCU basketball standout TJ Madlock has formally joined the Detroit Pistons Summer season League roster following the 2025 NBA Draft. His addition continues a powerful pipeline of HBCU expertise incomes skilled alternatives by means of the NBA Summer season League.
Madlock, the son of Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock, performed his remaining faculty season with the Hornets, the place he began all 32 video games in 2024–25. He averaged 13.6 factors, 4.9 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists per recreation whereas main Alabama State to its first SWAC Match look since 2019. His efficiency was a constant vivid spot for the HBCU program, with 28 video games scoring in double figures, together with a 30-point outburst at Prairie View A&M.
A flexible guard with three years of HBCU basketball expertise, Madlock started his profession at South Carolina State earlier than transferring to Alabama State. As a freshman, he averaged 12.7 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and three.2 assists at SCSU. He adopted that up with a powerful sophomore season at Alabama State, incomes SWAC Newcomer of the Yr honors whereas averaging 11.2 factors and 6.1 rebounds per contest. Throughout his profession, Madlock demonstrated the flexibility to attain, defend, and facilitate, making him a precious addition to the Detroit Pistons Summer season League squad.
Madlock’s signing is one other signal of accelerating NBA curiosity in HBCU athletes. With the Summer season League offering a key stage for undrafted expertise, his inclusion on the Detroit Pistons roster provides him an opportunity to showcase his abilities in opposition to elite competitors. It additionally highlights the depth of expertise popping out of HBCU packages, which proceed to supply gamers able to competing on the skilled stage.
For HBCU basketball followers, Madlock’s presence within the Summer season League represents each pleasure and progress. Because the Detroit Pistons put together for Summer season League motion, Madlock will look to capitalize on the chance and show that HBCU stars deserve a spot within the NBA dialog.
