Atkins had a double-double 16 points, 10 assists on Dec. 4.
Garrett W. Ellwood
NBAE/Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons have been a tremendous success story this season, going from a 32-50 record last year to clinching the Central Division title this week under first-year coach Rick Carlisle. The career of point guard Chucky Atkins has made a similar ascent. Undrafted coming out of South Florida in 1996, he spent a season in the CBA, earning All-Rookie First Team honors in 1997 with the LaCrosse Bobcats.

Atkins then crossed the ocean and played two seasons for Cibona of Croatia, leading the team to consecutive championships. With this experience under his belt, the Orlando native was able to sign a free agent contract with his hometown Magic and averaged 9.5 points in 19.8 minutes in his first NBA year. He was a Second Team All-Rookie selection in 2000 and finished second on the Magic in assists. But his homecoming was short-lived, as Atkins became part of the package along with Ben Wallace in the trade for Grant Hill with the Pistons.

Atkins continued to grow as a player in Detroit. He became a starter, upping his scoring to 12.0 ppg and his continued his production this season, except now he's on a winning team. He has scored in double figures 42 times and has eight games with at least 20 points. He also ranks among the league leaders in three three-point shooting categories.

Ask him how he got the nickname "Chucky" when his full name is Kenneth Lavon Atkins, how he feels about the Pistons playoff chances, where his two rottweilers sleep or anything else that's on your mind. We'll post his answers to some of the best questions next week, right here on NBA.com.

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