Team Waives Cole Swider and Alondes Williams
DETROIT, Mich. (Jan. 6, 2025) – The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has signed forward Ron Harper Jr. and forward/center Tolu Smith to two-way contracts. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. In a related move, the Pistons waived forward Cole Swider and guard Alondes Williams.
Harper Jr., 6-4, 233, appeared in 15 games this season for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League while averaging 13.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. Undrafted in 2022, Harper Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 10 games from 2022 to 2024 while averaging 2.0 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 5.2 minutes per game. A native of Paterson, NJ., Harper Jr. played four seasons collegiately at Rutgers and averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.1 minutes in 121 career games. Harper Jr. was named Third Team All-Big 10 in 2021 and Second Team All-Big 10 in 2022.
Smith, 6-11, 245, has competed in nine games this season for the Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, while averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 27.9 minutes per game while shooting 68.5% from the floor. Undrafted in 2024, Smith signed a training camp contract with the Detroit Pistons before joining the Motor City Cruise. A native of Bay St. Louis, Miss., Smith finished his college career at Mississippi State University, averaging 14.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.6 blocks in 108 games over four seasons. Smith was named First Team All-SEC in both 2023 and 2024.
Swider played in 18 games with the Motor City Cruise this season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 33.6 minutes per game.
Williams, 6-4, 210, appeared in 18 games this season for the Cruise while averaging 18.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32.1 minutes per game.
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