Derek Willis joining Detroit Pistons instead of Miami Heat in NBA Summer League

UPDATE

Change of plans: Derek Willis will not be with Miami in the NBA Summer League. Instead, he’ll be joining the Detroit Pistons, according to his fiance:

The Pistons don’t currently have any UK alumni, but they do offer a good chance for Willis to earn a spot on their final 13-man roster before the 2017-18 season opens.

Derek Willis will get a chance to make his NBA dreams become a reality.

Per Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, Willis has agreed to a summer league deal with the Miami Heat. Willis did not hear his name called during the NBA Draft, but he was quickly scooped up by an NBA team for the summer league, which begins in July.

Willis finished his Kentucky Wildcats career with 555 points scored, 354 rebounds and 108 3-point field goals made. His career three-point field-goal percentage (.3985) ranks 12th among UK’s all-time leaders.

In his senior season, Willis notched career highs in points (267), rebounds (205), blocks (39), assists (34) and steals (25). He averaged 5.4 rebounds on the season, including 7.3 over the last 12 games.

That included a great showing during UK’s run to the Elite Eight, where he averaged 7.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament.

Good luck to Willis in his NBA ventures!