NEWARK, NJ (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons selected Connecticut big man Andre Drummond with the ninth pick in the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-10, 270-pound Drummond averaged 10 points and 7.6 rebounds last season as an 18-year-old freshman for the Huskies. He'll join Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe - Detroit's last two first-round picks - as part of a young nucleus the Pistons hope they can build around. Detroit has missed the playoffs the last three seasons.
The Pistons took Knight last year at No. 8 when some of the top big men were already taken. Now they're adding another inside presence who may be able to make an impact down low alongside Monroe.
The Pistons picked Texas A&M forward Khris Middleton with the 39th pick.
Middleton averaged 13.2 points per game last season as a junior for the Aggies. The 6-foot-7 Middleton is considered a good midrange threat and a solid passer, although he shot only 41.5 percent from the field in 2011-12.
Middleton missed 12 games last season with a knee injury. He started 72 games in three seasons at Texas A&M before declaring early for the draft. His best year came as a sophomore when he averaged 14.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.
The Detroit Pistons chose Missouri guard Kim English with the 44th pick.
The 6-foot-6 English averaged 14.5 points per game and shot 46 percent from 3-point range in his senior season with the Tigers. He also improved to 52 percent from the field after being under 40 his first three college seasons.
English could provide backcourt depth for the Pistons behind guards Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey. Detroit traded guard Ben Gordon earlier this week.
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