It will be fair to say that the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Durent has had a whirlwind 2025-26 campaign thus far

The 22-year-old earned what was his first All-Star appearance after averaging 19

5 rebounds and two assists per game for the Pistons, playing a major role in helping them to the top of the Eastern Conference

Already seen as one of the favorites to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award, Chandler Parsons recently had some huge words for Duren, per a post on X by ClutchPoints

Chandler Parsons believes that Jalen Duren should win the MIP award 🔥 “This guy has turned himself into a household name

He’s an absolute man-child… legitimately can be the starting center on Team USA come Olympic time

” (via @RunItBackFDTV) pic

com/hiQmS4yDSm — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 13, 2026 “This guy has turned himself into a household name

He’s an absolute man-child… legitimately can be the starting center on Team USA come Olympic time,” he said, backing the Detroit man to win the MIP this year

And well, it is difficult to argue against him

Duren underwent a huge improvement the past season after averaging just 11

7 assists per game through the 2024-25 campaign

However, that is only us scratching the surface

Picked 13th overall in the 2022 draft, Duren had an overall efficiency of 65% through the season despite seeing a huge increase in his overall attempts

In the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged just seven shots per game, converting 4

However, this season, Duren is taking 11

5 shots per game while seeing only a marginal decrease in his shooting efficiency, which was as high as 69

2% the previous season, a jump from the almost 62% that he registered the year before (2023-24)

Duren has established himself as one of the best young centers in the league this season and is a legitimate threat on both ends of the floor

His rise has also coincided with the Pistons improving from a 44-win team last year to a 60-22 record this season

And while Cade Cunningham is a major reason behind Detroit’s rise, Duren undoubtedly deserves his flowers as well