The Number 0 Detroit Pistons Player of the Year
Detroit Pistons fans are excited to see how their team will develop this season. The team’s young talent, including Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson, is poised to bring the Pistons back to relevancy.
Several NBA players have worn number 0 over the years, but only some of them were truly great. Some, like Johnny Olszewski, wore it for only one season.
Dele Alli
Dele Alli has achieved a great deal as a professional footballer. The Tottenham Hotspur player has excelled in the Premier League and represented England in prestigious international tournaments. However, his career hasn’t been without its challenges. Alli has faced personal tragedies and struggled with substance abuse.
Alli was born Bamidele Jermaine Alli in 1996 and grew up in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. He is the son of a Nigerian father and an English mother. He has two siblings from his mother’s previous relationships.
During his formative years, Alli was heralded as one of the most promising young talents in the game. Mauricio Pochettino even praised him for his ability to manifest the prowess of a striker within the 18-yard box and seamlessly transition into a midfielder outside of it. His height and well-balanced weight enhance his physical presence on the field. He’s a force to be reckoned with both in aerial duels and set pieces.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie has come a long way since he was a second round pick who bounced back and forth between the Detroit Pistons and their G League affiliate. He finally got his chance in Brooklyn, where he is now one of the team’s key players. Dinwiddie also made a name for himself by winning the Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend. He beat out a host of star players, including Chicago Bulls guard Lauri Markkanen.
Dinwiddie started the season on the Brooklyn Nets’ bench, but he has earned more playing time as the season has gone on. He has become a key player for the Nets, and is one of their top scorers.
In addition to his basketball career, Dinwiddie has a passion for business. He owns several rental properties and has equity in a social media advocacy app. He also is working to develop a new digital investment platform. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Eric Montross
In a world where so many players are quick to turn on their phone and start scrolling, Montross has resisted that temptation. He’s tried to be the guy who walks into the room and makes a connection. He’s been rewarded with real friendships.
He also became a beloved voice on the Tar Heel Sports Network, where he is not afraid to speak up during times of hardship and to celebrate in the moments of glory. The big number 0 is also an advocate for mental health awareness and a philanthropist who supports education and youth development initiatives.
While Montross’s on-court accomplishments and off-court endeavors speak for themselves, it is his humility that has been most impressive. He and his wife Laura, children Andrew and Sarah, and other family members live a private life that is focused on their friends and family and various passions. Montross is open about his battle with anxiety and his desire to help others find the support they need.
Chris Webber
It’s tough to imagine another athlete with as many ups and downs as Chris Webber. The high school phenom led Detroit Country Day to three Michigan state basketball championships before becoming the star of the 1991-92 and 1992-93 University of Michigan “Fab Five” team that reached the NCAA title game in both of his seasons there.
Despite his success at Michigan, Webber has struggled in his professional career. He was the first pick in the 1993 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, but the team soon traded him to Golden State for third-pick Anfernee Hardaway and three draft choices.
After a couple of seasons with the Warriors, Webber was sent to Philadelphia. But he never found his groove with the Sixers, and his off-court troubles—which included an incident in which he allegedly drove his SUV at 70 mph on a freeway before being pulled over for speeding—reinforced his reputation as a bad guy.