by Vince Ellis, USA TODAY Sports

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons announced Wednesday the assignments of rookies Khris Middleton and Kim English to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.

The second-round picks from June’s draft are being sent down to get some playing time. Middleton has played sparingly with the Pistons, and English, who was in the playing rotation while Corey Maggette was injured, hasn’t played much lately.

The stay is expected to be short, perhaps just for the Mad Ants’ three home games between now and Tuesday. The team likes the idea of sending guys down together, to make it a shared experience.

The Pistons haven’t ruled out sending down rookie Ukrainian center Slava Kravtsov later, but he is in a different situation while still getting accustomed to life in the U.S.

Middleton, 21, was drafted 39th overall, out of Texas A&M. He has displayed a good outside shooting touch in his brief appearances during garbage time.

English, 24, the 44th overall pick from Missouri, has played in 10 games and scored eight points twice, including in the season opener against the Houston Rockets. He did struggle defensively later and said he is working feverishly to get better in all areas.

Vince Ellis writes for the Detroit Free Press

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