Two Players Turn a Simple $150 Open Tryout into Full NBA Careers with the Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons' G League team, the Motor City Cruise, has been making headlines with their open tryouts. For a non-refundable fee of $250, anyone can try out for the team in front of actual scouts. While the odds of making the roster are slim, basketball fans love the idea that a random registration fee could be the foot in the door to the pros.
Recently, the Motor City Cruise's open tryout got people talking on social media after announcing their open tryouts. Anyone looking to live out their basketball dreams just has to pay a non-refundable $250 fee. That gets you on the court in front of actual team scouts, plus a jersey and some game tickets.
What Happened?
Both Jonathon Simmons and David Nwaba hit a wall where traditional scouting simply passed them by. Undrafted and running out of conventional options, paying a $150 fee for an open G League workout was essentially their last-ditch effort to keep their basketball dreams alive before quitting or moving on.
In 2013, Jonathon Simmons was dead broke and almost ready to abandon basketball to work a regular job. Spending his last $150 on an open tryout with the Austin Toros was his final gamble, leading to a roster spot and eventually a breakout role with the Spurs. He played four NBA seasons (2015-2019) across 258 games. After making noise with the Spurs, he signed a $20 million contract with the Orlando Magic, putting up a career-best 13.9 points per game in 2017-18. He closed out his NBA run with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Three years later, David Nwaba went completely unselected after college and paid $150 to attend a Reno Bighorns tryout. He dominated the session, earned a spot in the G League, and quickly turned his lockdown defense into an NBA contract with the Lakers. Nwaba carved out a six-year NBA career (2016-2022) playing 237 games as a fan favorite. He suited up for the Lakers, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nets, and Rockets, consistently securing multi-year deals and earning a reputation as one of the league's toughest perimeter defenders.
Why it Matters for the Detroit Pistons
The Motor City Cruise's open tryouts offer a unique opportunity for aspiring basketball players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the team. While the odds of making the roster are slim, the chance to try out in front of actual scouts is a chance worth taking. The Motor City Cruise's open tryouts are a testament to the Detroit Pistons' commitment to developing young talent and providing opportunities for players to grow and improve.
What Comes Next?
The Motor City Cruise's open tryouts are a great way for aspiring basketball players to get their foot in the door and potentially earn a spot on the team. With the recent success of Jonathon Simmons and David Nwaba, it's clear that the Motor City Cruise's open tryouts are a viable path to the NBA. For those looking to take their basketball career to the next level, the Motor City Cruise's open tryouts are definitely worth considering.
Last result: Detroit Pistons 94-125 Cleveland Cavaliers (2026-05-18). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (LWLLL, most recent first).
