NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons Pick Spencer Dinwiddie’s Torn ACL

Feb 19, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Josh Scott (40) and Colorado Buffaloes guard Spencer Dinwiddie (25) react to the win over the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Sun Devils 61-52. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons selected Spencer Dinwiddie with the 38th pick in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft but he may not be ready for training camp.

Spencer Dinwiddie was diagnosed with a torn ACL on January 12th.  At the time the Colorado Buffaloes point guard was tracking to become a first round pick, but the torn ACL changed that.

It also changed the destiny of his college team.

The Colorado Buffs were one of the surprise teams of the NCAA last season under Spencer Dinwiddie’s leadership but after the injury they stumbled down the stretch without him.  The teams hot start was enough to earn them an NCAA tournament bid only to get blown out in Round 1.

Dinwiddie could have returned to Colorado for his senior season and improved his draft stock for 2015.  But despite all that Dinwiddie chose to enter the NBA Draft not for the money (2nd round picks are not guaranteed contracts) but for the rehab.

"Within my family, my core unit, I [talked it over],” Dinwiddie said of his rehab. “I mean, it’s no secret: college has limitations that professional doesn’t. Just because of just the sheer dollars a pro team can spend. It’s not any knock on Colorado. They did everything possible that they could for me. They got me PRP injections at my request, they helped me get to a hyperbaric chamber when I asked, so they did everything they could. It’s just there’s a different level you can go to [with rehab].”"

According to a tweet by Keith Langlois of Detroitpistons.com, the Pistons have asked Dinwiddie not to comment on a timeline for his return but based on what he told NBC Sports his rehab is progressing well.

"“I started running at 11 weeks. I started shooting shortly thereafter. I’ve been doing a lot. I’ve been in the gym working hard,” Dinwiddie said. “So I hit the agility drills, the ladder. Everything is controlled. Jumping up on boxes, controlling the landing, making sure everything is safe. Whatever the [physical trainer] asks me to do. The bounce is going to be real when I get back. I’m talking about 40 [inches].”"

Spencer Dinwiddie also told NBC Sports that his decision to leave Colorado was a tough one but in order for him to continue his career he needed resources beyond what he could get while playing in the NCAA.

"“I felt like this was best for the longevity of my career and really being able to focus on my body and knee and pour everything I have into it.”"

Although the Pistons won’t give a timeline all indications are that Spencer Dinwiddie will be ready for the start of the season. If he comes back from the injury healthy, Dinwiddie could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.