JALEN DUREN NAMED EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The NBA announced that Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, March 1. This marks the first time in his career that Duren has received the honor.

Duren (6-10, 250) led the Pistons to a 3-1 record for the week with averages of 25.8 points (.639 FG%), an Eastern-Conference-leading 13.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game while recording a double-double in all four games.

Duren led Detroit in its first contest of the week, notching his 26th double-double of the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds against San Antonio on Feb. 23. He followed that performance up with 29 points and 15 rebounds to help Detroit knock off the Western Conference No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 25. Duren then tied a career-high 33 points to go with 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks against Cleveland on Feb. 27, becoming only the second player in franchise history to record those minimums in a single game (Bob Lanier). The Sharon Hill, Pa. native capped the week off with 16 points, 10 rebounds and two steals, helping Detroit defeat the Orlando Magic on March 1.

A first-time NBA All-Star this season, Duren is averaging a career-high 18.5 points while shooting 63.1% from the field, 10.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 49 games. He joins teammate Cade Cunningham as Pistons that have won Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season.

Detroit holds a 45-14 record this season – their most wins in a season since the 2007-08 season – and are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.