Following a strong run of play for the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League, former Mississippi State star post player Tolu Smith signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Smith will split time between the Pistons and their G League affiliate, the Cruise.

After playing at Western Kentucky under former Bulldogs head coach Rick Stansbury as a true freshman, Smith transferred to MSU and scored at least 10 points in each of his first eight games as a Bulldog. He started all 34 games in 2022-23 before missing the start of his final season in Starkville with a foot injury. Smith returned prior to the start of Southeastern Conference play and averaged 15 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Smith earned All-SEC First Team honors in each of his final two seasons at MSU, but was not selected in the 2024 NBA Draft. He joined the Pistons for the NBA Summer League, then signed with Detroit on a training camp contract in September. The Pistons waived him on Oct. 17, but he joined the Cruise later that month.

In nine games with the Cruise, Smith is averaging a double-double with 17.7 points and 11.7 rebounds to go along with 1.3 blocks. His best game was a 23-point, 19-rebound performance on Dec. 29 against the Maine Celtics.

Now, he will be able to provide the Pistons with post depth and help Detroit, which is currently 18-18, try to make the postseason for the first time in six years. The Pistons have already exceeded their win total from last season.

Smith would become the 25th former Bulldog to appear in an NBA game. The only active player in the league from MSU is Quinten Post, who played for both the Bulldogs and Boston College and is currently on a two-way deal with the Golden State Warriors. Post made his NBA debut on Dec. 27 and scored his first career basket three days later. Six other former MSU players last played in the NBA in 2022.