Saddiq Bey wasn't a household name in college. Not at first. He ranked fourth out of four in Villanova's 2018 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. He left two years later as a first-round pick of the Pistons.
Bey isn't a household name in the NBA. Not yet. But it won't take long if he continues on his current track. Take it from Blake Griffin, who invited Bey to Los Angeles for a few days of workouts after Detroit drafted him 19th overall last month.
"Saddiq has one of the most complete games I’ve seen, especially for a rookie," Griffin said Tuesday as the Pistons opened training camp. "One of my favorite things about him is his hunger for getting better and for the game of basketball. It’s all the kid want to talk about and all he cares about. He just wants to get better. He asks the right type of questions.
"I’m glad I got to spend some time with him. It’s very encouraging to know there’s like-minded guys on the team."
Bey showed the breadth of his game last season, on his way to being named first-team All-Big East and winning the Julius Erving Award as the best small forward in college basketball. He averaged 16.1 points and shot 45 percent from three, the fourth best mark in the nation. He also guarded every position on the floor.
Whatever Villanova needed, Bey delivered. Now he joins a Pistons team ready to unleash its young talent.
"We have to ask (our fans) for patience," Dwane Casey said Tuesday. "I know that’s something they don’t want to hear in a championship city like Detroit, but there will be good things down the road with this group as they grow. And to watch them grow is going to be fun, it’s going to be exciting."
Detroit's youth movement leaves the 31-year-old Griffin in a strange position, here for now but likely not for long. His name was bandied about in trade rumors this offseason, though Griffin said that didn't bother him. With his knees feeling 'great', he's focused on reasserting himself as a star this season and mentoring his young teammates along the way.
A leadership role is something he's ready for in his 11th year in the NBA.
"I embrace it, I enjoy it. And like I said, from what I can tell, especially spending time with Saddiq, (the rookies) are very hungry. If they keep that attitude, they’ll keep growing and have good careers. I’ve looked forward to working on this part of my game," Griffin said. "Being a mentor and being a leader is part of your skillset, I believe."
And maybe one day, it will be part of Bey's. For now, the Pistons will take his shooting and his defense, and whatever else is hiding in his 6'8 frame.