Detroit Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond wasn’t able to participate on Friday night in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge with a back injury.  Selected by Shaquille O’Neal as part of Team Shaq, Drummond was on hand to talk about his rookie campaign.

“It’s great that the coaches really named me to be here and Shaq actually chose me as well with his third pick,” said Drummond, disappointed that he wasn’t able to play.  “It’s great being out here and great being noticed but I’m going to stick to being an assistant coach and stick alongside Shaq.”

Drummond is sidelined another three to five weeks with a stress fracture of the left lumbar vertebra.

Through 50 games, Drummond averaged 7.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game.  The Pistons may have a special combination with forward/center Greg Monroe and Drummond, once the two fully develop.

Right now Drummond is just trying to heal and learn how he can impact the NBA game.

“I think from the first game, I think [Coach Lawrence Frank] can vouch for me too, I think from my first game up until now I’ve gotten better on a daily basis,” he said.  “I just work hard, that’s really what it comes down to – giving 100 percent every single day.”

Drummond was improving dramatically, prior to his injury.  In a recent one-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, he pulled down 11 boards and blocked four shot, while scoring nine points.  Drummond he’s just scratching the surface.

“I’m getting a glimpse of what I could be,” Drummond said.  “I’m not really going to get big-headed at all.  I just know that it’s all effort and energy and hard work that it’s going to take for me to be good.”

Drummond doesn’t want to settle on being just “good.”

“I think I could be great one day,” he said.

For now he’ll work on getting his back healthy and then trust on Coach Frank to guide his development.

“I trust my coaching staff.  Lawrence knows exactly what he’s doing,” said Drummond.  “He knows the minutes I need to play to get 100% out of me to contribute to our team.”

The Pistons are currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference at 21-33.

In the meantime, Drummond is enjoying All-Star Weekend.  Who is his pick for the dunk contest?

“I know a lot about James White,” said Drummond.  “I got to know him pretty well.  I know he can jump really high.  He can jump.”