Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is on the verge of becoming a first-time All-Star this season. Through 25 games, the 22-year-old is averaging a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
The Pistons are atop the Eastern Conference, heavily led by the play of Cade Cunningham. But Duren has played a key role in the team’s success and CBS Sports contributor John Gonzalez said he believes Duren can be an All-Star this season.
“The Pistons are still in first place in the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham is the biggest reason why, but Duren has certainly done his part,” Gonzalez wrote.
“He’s posted double doubles in 15 of the 23 games he’s played, and he’s fourth in the league in rebounding. He’s also gotten much better defensively where he’s averaging nearly one steal and block per game. For a team that dominates the paint and stacks wins because of it, Duren has been hugely valuable.”
Jalen Duren Stepping into Dominant Role
GettyJalen Duran is averaging a double-double this season.
Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic also believes Duren can make the All-Star game this year. “The Detroit Pistons have found themselves the perfect second star next to Cade Cunningham,” he wrote. “Big man Jalen Duren has become a cornerstone for the Pistons franchise and is well on his way to his first All-Star nod.”
Duren has taken a significant leap this season and the numbers don’t lie. His game on the offensive end has improved. Last year he averaged 11.8 points per game. He’s close to averaging 20 points this season and already has two games where he scored 30 and 33 respectively.
With Duren being a threat on offense, Cunningham does not have much of a load to carry.
“The Pistons have also empowered Duren to be more of a shot creator and playmaker on his own this season,” Baraheni said. “That has proven fruitful for Detroit’s offense, particularly because it has helped take some of the offensive burden off Cunningham’s shoulders.”
When Duren is on the court, Detroit has a player who can dominate on the glass and put the ball in the basket. Cunningham has noticed Duren’s progression throughout the season and last month Cunningham spoke highly about his teammate.
“I tell people he’s my favorite big in the league — non-biased. I wouldn’t take many bigs in the world over him, you know what I’m saying? People don’t really understand that now, but they’ll understand it later on,” Cunningham said per Pistons Talk on X, formerly Twitter. “He’s young, he’s still working harder than anybody, and he’s gonna be the best big in the league.”
Jalen Duren Could be Pistons First Big Man to Make All-Star Team in Over Eight Years
GettyJalen Duren can become first Pistons center to make the All-Star team since Andre Drummond.
The last center from the Pistons to make an All-Star team was Andre Drummond during the 2017-18 season. That could change this year if Duren can get the votes.
His play on the court has not gone unnoticed and he is getting the recognition he deserves. This could be the year where Duren shares the court with the best players throughout the league and the Pistons could possibly have two players represent the team in the All-Star Game.
Voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is open now and will end on January 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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