Seven games into his Motor City Cruise career, former Michigan State guard Jaden Akins has already broken a franchise record.
While it’s not a record that you’d expect for the 3-and-D specialist, he has settled into his new role with the Pistons’ G-League affiliate well. He’s become more of distributor at the professional level, and that has to be something that his new coaching staff has pushed on him.
Don’t worry, Akins is still hunting for his shots, but he’s become one of the best passers that the Motor City Cruise has seen in its existence since October of 2021.
In fact, Akins has the most assists through the first seven games of the season in franchise history (53). If you thought Akins would become an elite passer at the next level, you either need to buy a lottery ticket immediately, or you’re lying.
.@JadenAkins3 is the fastest player in franchise history to reach 53 assists through the first seven games of the season. pic.twitter.com/24Q8Clg8Kh
— Motor City Cruise (@MotorCityCruise) November 24, 2025
Akins was always a solid passer at Michigan State, but that role was designated more for AJ Hoggard and then Jeremy Fears Jr. The Farmington, Mich., native was more of an off-ball two-guard who hunted his own shot. He was a catch-and-shoot guard who could handle the ball, if need be, and there was plenty of talk about him wanting more of a point guard role in his upper-class years.
It looks like there was some merit to that talk.
The former Michigan State star went undrafted in this past NBA draft, but the Cruise signed him, and he’s been one of the best players on the roster ever since. He’s become a plus passer, he remains a solid defender, and he’s a serious offensive weapon.
On the season, Akins is averaging 16.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds. He’s been outstanding in his new role on his new team, and this is the kind of play that will get him noticed by the ball club in Detroit. It would be fun to watch him in a Pistons uniform, and that’s probably a dream come true for the hooper who grew up in Michigan.
He’s also shooting 41 percent from the floor, 33 percent from three, and 88 percent from the free throw line, so he’s shown plenty of potential to be an all-around weapon.
Make the call, Detroit.