Ex-Cats

Derek Willis to play for Pistons (not Heat) in NBA summer league

Kentucky’s Derek Willis dunked against Florida on Feb. 25.
Kentucky’s Derek Willis dunked against Florida on Feb. 25.

Former University of Kentucky and Bullitt East High School standout Derek Willis will play for the Detroit Pistons’ summer league team.

Basketball Insiders reported early Friday that its sources had Willis headed to the Miami Heat for the summer leagues. However, Keely Potts (Willis’ fiancée) tweeted Friday afternoon that he is headed to Detroit instead.

The Heat will play in the Orlando Summer League from July 1 to July 6 with matchups including the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.

Willis averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game as a senior at UK. He shot 47.8 percent from the field, 37.7 percent from three-point range and 68.8 percent from the free-throw line.

After his senior season, he averaged 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a pre-draft camp. He was also named MVP for the West Team at the Reese’s College All-Star Game after posting 13 points, a team-high eight rebounds, a block and a steal in 21 minutes.

Dennis Varney: 859-231-3514, @ExCats

This story was originally published June 23, 2017 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Derek Willis to play for Pistons (not Heat) in NBA summer league."

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