2013 Detroit Sports Best Athlete (Video, Reader Poll)

Dec 28, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) and Wizards point guard John Wall (2) defend in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 106-82. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Drummond

Our first nominee for the best Detroit Sports athlete in 2013. Andre Drummond came into the 2013-14 season on a mission. He has shown that he is totally dedicated to lead his team out of NBA lottery mediocrity and into the playoffs.

Here are his accomplishments for 2013

• Drummond hosted a rookie mini camp and encouraged the newly drafted Pistons to show up early to get a jump-start on conditioning.
• He gave up his #1 jersey to Chancey Billups as a sign of respect to the returning Pistons legend.
• Drummond has led by example playing hard on his way to becoming a leader on both ends of the court.
• Drummond has started all 30 games for the Pistons this season and has averaging a double double per game this season with 12.5 rebounds and 13.2 points per game. 12.5 is the fourth highest average in the NBA.  He is also second in the NBA in field goal percentage with 62.2%
• Drummond leads the NBA in offensive rebounds with 157 a total that is just short of his 169 offensive rebounds all of last season.

With what he has accomplished this season and his projected upside, Andre Drummond has established himself as one of the NBA’s premiere big men.