After spending time on a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons, the work has paid off for Bay St. Louis native Tolu Smith. The NBA franchise announced that it has reached a two-year standard contract agreement with the former Mississippi State standout.
Smith, a 6-foot-10 forward who was undrafted out of college, will be part of the Pistons’ roster when the playoffs roll around, and Detroit has already secured the No. 1 seed in the East with just two regular-season games remaining. He initially signed a two-way deal with the Pistons in 2024 and has mainly spent time with the franchise’s G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, where he has averaged 18.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in two seasons.
OFFICIAL – We have signed two-way center Tolu Smith to a two-year standard contract. pic.twitter.com/voO0OUeyWy
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 8, 2026
The Mississippian has played meaningful minutes at the highest level this season. In 14 NBA appearances, Smith has averaged 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. His best performance occurred on Jan. 10 versus the Los Angeles Clippers when he logged nine points and a whopping 14 boards.
The NBA Playoffs will officially begin on April 18. As the top seed, the Pistons will play one of the following: Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, or Miami Heat.
