NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2012 – The Detroit Pistons today signed guard Walker Russell, Jr. of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for the 17th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2011-12 NBA Development League season. Russell joins 103 NBA players with NBA D-League experience currently on 2011-12 rosters.
Russell (6-0, 175, Jacksonville State) has appeared in 16 games for the Mad Ants this season, averaging 16.0 points, a league-leading 9.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds. He has recorded eight point-assist double-doubles, including an NBA D-League season-high 19 assists in a 100-96 win over the Bakersfield Jam on Jan. 9 at the 2012 NBA D-League Showacse in Reno. For his efforts, he was named NBA D-League Performer of the Week on Dec. 5.
Russell, who rejoins the Pistons following a stint with the team during the 2011 NBA training camp, is expected to be available tonight when Detroit hosts the visiting Memphis Grizzlies at The Palace at Auburn Hills.
