Pistons unveil new jersey that pays homage to historic St. Cecilia’s gym in Detroit

Guard (2) Cade Cunningham and forward (41) Saddiq Bey of the Detroit Pistons pose during a photoshoot, Tuesday, August 16, 2022, in Beverly Hills, CA. (Jeff Lewis) (Jeff Lewis, Pistons)

The Detroit Pistons unveiled another alternative jersey this week, featuring a tribute to the historic St. Cecilia’s gym in Detroit.

The new uniforms join the group of alternate jerseys the Pistons have unveiled this year, including the return of teal, and the black statement collection. The new homage to St. Cecilia’s was designed in collaboration with Big Sean, who serves at the Pistons Creative Director of Innovation.

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“St. Cecilia’s for decades served as a beacon of hope for Detroiters and a safe haven for basketball players to play,” said Alicia Jeffreys, Detroit Pistons, Chief Marketing Officer. “Our City Edition uniform offers the opportunity to tell the story of the gym known as ‘The Saint’ while also joining our great partners at JDS Sports and the Knight Foundation in kickstarting the revitalization of the iconic Ceciliaville facility for generations to come.”

The uniforms are colored green, matching the gym’s historic logo, and feature United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the Pistons official jersey patch and exclusive mortgage partner, prominently on the jersey’s left front strap. The shorts are adorned with a replica of The Saint’s storied stained-glass window with sport white and blue stripes down the side. On the jersey, the quote inscribed on the court floor at The Saint — “Where stars are made, not born” — is featured on the anthem of the jersey, along with Big Sean’s signature. A trio of stars on the jersey and shorts also alludes to this message, while symbolizing the Pistons’ three NBA Championships.

In addition to the announcement of the special edition St. Cecilia uniforms, JDS Sports – ownership group behind Five-Star Basketball and SLAM – has pledged a $250,000 grant joining the Detroit Pistons Foundation and the Knight Foundation in Detroit to kickstart the initial construction and renovation of St. Cecilia’s gym.

The team is expected to wear the St. Cecilia uniforms in six games during the season as part of their 2022-23 uniform rotation.

Ceciliaville Board Chair Dr. Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon lauded the partnership with the Detroit Pistons, JDS Sports and the Knight Foundation.

“We need to prepare our youth for productive and happy lives—to literally and figuratively give them a jump start,” McKinnon said. “We are grateful to the Detroit Pistons for their partnership and to the Knight Foundation and JDS Sports for their grants to help renovate St. Cecilia’s gym and allow a new generation of Detroit kids to excel on the court and in life.”


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.