AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - January 5, 2005 - Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has requested waivers on forward Derrick Coleman.
“I have great respect for Derrick,” said Dumars. “I really appreciate Derrick’s professionalism and attitude.”
Coleman, 37, appeared in five games with the Pistons, averaging 1.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game. He missed 17 games while on the injured list with a left thigh contusion and DNP-CD in seven games.
In 34 games with the 76ers last season, Coleman averaged 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game. He missed 48 games overall due to injury. Prior to last season, the Detroit native averaged double figures in 11 of his 13 NBA seasons, including a career-high 20.7 points per game during the 1992-93 season with New Jersey. In 776 NBA games, Coleman has averaged 16.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in 33.3 minutes per game and recorded 343 career double-doubles. He was selected to the All-NBA Third Team in 1993 and 1994, started at center for the Eastern Conference at the 1994 NBA All-Star Game and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1991.