Cruise Acquire Returning Rights To Basheer Jihad

DETROIT – The Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, announced today the club acquired the returning rights to forward Basheer Jihad and a 2026 second-round pick from the College Park Skyhawks in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick.

Jihad, 6-9, 220, is entering his second season in the NBA G League. Last season, the Farmington, Mich., native played 48 games between the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season with the College Park Skyhawks, tallying averages of 11.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. Following his rookie campaign, Jihad spent the 2026 NBA Summer League with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 4.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 11.9 minutes in four appearances.

Prior to his professional career, Jihad played four years collegiately, appearing in 124 games with Ball State (2021-24) and Arizona State (2024-25). While at Ball State, the three-time MAC Player of the Week, 2024 All-MAC Second Team member and 2024 NABC All-District First Team honoree averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 19.2 minutes per game. During his junior season, Jihad averaged 18.6 points and 8.0 rebounds while totaling 559 points, the 17th-most points in a single season in Ball State men's basketball history and the seventh-most by a junior in program history. To finish his collegiate career at Arizona State, Jihad averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.5 minutes per game with the Sun Devils.