The Fan Hub

Second year forward Jonas Jerebko has been a nice surprise for the Detroit Pistons, starting the team’s first thirteen games in place of the injured Ben Wallace. However, once Wallace returned to action, it was time for Jerebko to return to the bench, a situation that tends to lead to a decline in productivity. That has not been the case, however, primarily because he’s still been playing big minutes. Averaging 29 minutes as a starter, he now averages 26 minutes, scoring 8 points and pulling down 6.2 rebounds in a reserve role (compared to 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in the starting lineup).

Jerebko’s story is certainly unique. His father, Chris Jerebko, was Russian-American, a graduate of Syracuse University who ended up playing professional basketball in Sweden, where Jonas was born and grew up. Drafted in 2009 after playing in the Italian and Swedish leagues, he played 80 games for the Pistons in the 2009-2010 season, averaging similar numbers (9.3 points, 6.0 boards). However, a strained right Achilles heel sustained during the preseason caused Jerebko to miss the entire 2010-2011 season. However, he has returned with the same energy and hustle that allowed him to remain with the Pistons, and the results have been favorable.