Warren Participates in Pistons Minicamp
6/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland assistant coach Cliff Warren was selected as one of four college coaches to participate in the Detroit Pistons free agent minicamp held this week at the Pistons' practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. The free agent minicamp included 16 players who have most recently played in the NBA D-League and are current NBA free agents.
Warren spent three days with the Pistons, participating in four practice sessions and spending time with coaches and management to gain insight into their overall evaluation process.
Detroit Pistons assistant GM Jeff Nix shared that Warren was an ideal coaching candidate to participate in this program.
“Cliff is well thought of and very respected throughout the game of basketball,” Nix said. “We take great value in his opinion and enjoyed having him be a part of this free agent minicamp.”
The camp is broken down into three days, giving the Pistons time to evaluate players and witness first-hand the progress they have made since becoming professional basketball players, according to Nix. Warren observed as the Pistons staff tested players' measurables and practiced in-game situations, in addition to immersing himself in the overall evaluation process.
“I was honored and thankful for the opportunity to participate in this minicamp,” Warren said. “I have a great deal of respect for Jeff and the entire Detroit Pistons organization. I was able to call plays, demonstrate drills and manage game situations, which included calling timeouts and drawing up X's and O's. It was a tremendous learning experience to coach in these various situations and I also have a better appreciation for all the work and preparation that a front office goes through when making player personnel decisions.”
In his second season as an assistant coach at Maryland, Warren was instrumental in helping Maryland and Head Coach Mark Turgeon advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003.
