Practice at the Detroit Pistons facility

By David Carducci

Director of New Media

Kent State’s men’s basketball team spent Thursday night practicing at the Detroit Pistons practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich.

I talked with Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff today about his team’s opportunity get a rare taste of what it is like behind the scenes in the NBA.

Senderoff and assistant
Eric Haut before practice

Here’s what Senderoff had to say:

“With a long five-day road trip to Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan, we thought it would be good for our guys to get that experience. The connection that made it possible was George David, who is a the assistant general manager with the Detroit Pistons. I have known him for a long time and we are good friends. 

“The NBA used to have a rule that would have prevented us from playing at the facility of one of their teams. But that recently changed.

“I think the visit and practicing on that floor was a good experience for our guys. They got to see how dedicated NBA players are, to see the facility and to see the Detroit Pistons championship trophies. The whole experience was better than practicing at Eastern Michigan for two straight days. 

“When we got there, the whole Pistons team had just gotten in from a long road trip and a couple of the coaches and the front office were still in the building at 8 p.m. to welcome us, which was really nice. We really appreciated the opportunity to visit and to practice there.”

Davis, president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and assistant coach Henry Bibby were among the Pistons officials on hand to welcome the Golden Flashes to their facility.

Photos by Jay Fiorello, assistant sports information director

Pistons assistant coach and former NBA star Henry Bibby
talks with Senderoff as Kent State starts practice