Pistons' Jalen Duren on Cusp of First All-NBA Selection

Teammate Cade Cunningham praises Duren's breakout season

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A dynamic, neon-colored expressionist painting depicting the powerful, explosive movements of an NBA basketball player driving to the hoop, with the player's face and details obscured in a blur of vibrant brushstrokes.Jalen Duren's breakout season has the Pistons star on the verge of his first All-NBA selection, a testament to his rapid rise as one of the league's premier big men.Charlotte Today

Pistons forward Jalen Duren is on the verge of earning his first career All-NBA selection after a standout season. Teammate Cade Cunningham praised Duren's performance, saying "He has been unbelievable." However, Duren acknowledged that making the All-Star team was his main focus, rather than individual accolades like All-NBA.

Why it matters

Duren's potential All-NBA selection would mark a major milestone in the young player's career, validating his development into one of the league's top big men. It also highlights the Pistons' promising future with Duren and Cunningham leading the way.

The details

The NBA requires players to appear in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for major awards, which Duren is expected to meet. In his breakout campaign, the 22-year-old center has emerged as a dominant force in the paint, averaging a double-double while anchoring the Pistons' defense.

  • The 2026-27 NBA regular season is currently underway.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 22-year-old forward for the Detroit Pistons who is on the verge of earning his first career All-NBA selection.

Cade Cunningham

The star player and teammate of Jalen Duren on the Detroit Pistons.

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What they’re saying

“He has been unbelievable.”

— Cade Cunningham, Teammate

“It wasn't something I was dwelling on or focusing on; being an All-Star was the main thing for me, if I'm being honest. I wanted to take that step.”

— Jalen Duren

What’s next

The NBA will announce the 2026-27 All-NBA teams in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Jalen Duren's breakout season has put him on the cusp of his first All-NBA selection, a testament to his rapid development into one of the league's premier big men. While individual accolades were not his primary focus, this milestone will undoubtedly be a proud moment for the young Pistons star and his team.