"With the Pistons' unexpected selection of Brandon Knight, most expected them to fill their hole in the frontcourt.

However, the Pistons decided to take Duke forward Kyle Singler with the 33rd overall pick. Singler, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 16.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last year. Singler stayed at Duke all four years.

"He's accomplished on the court," Pistons vice president Scott Perry said. "He's a high-character guy. He's well-coached, a winner and he's tough. You can never have too many guys who work on their game as hard as they can."

The Pistons opted against drafting Jordan Williams (Maryland), who lost 20 pounds since the season ended, and Oakland's Keith Benson. UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt also was expected to be a first-round pick but was available.

Perry said Singler's toughness and accomplishments at the college level stood out against his peers.

"We had him ranked much higher, as a first-rounder," Perry said. "The fact that he slid there, we took the opportunity. The beauty of a guy like that, he'll be able to play either (forward) position because of his ability to shoot."

Singler shot 36 percent from the 3-point line at Duke, and his length will allow him to guard power forwards as well. Perry said Singler, who's thinly built but weights 230 pounds, will have to work on his body like most players adjusting to the pro life.

"He's one of those guys who will accept the challenge (defensively)," Perry said. ."

With small forwards Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and DaJuan Summers approaching free agency, Austin Daye is the only small forward under contract for next season. "