False rumor gets injured Terrico White some airtime

Guard Terrico White has not played for the Detroit Pistons. But he has had at least one interesting moment during his rookie season.

That took place while he watched television before the trade deadline.

“I was just sitting around watching ESPN and I saw my name,” White said Thursday after practice. “I was like, ‘Whoa. I haven’t even played yet and I’m injured’ — and my name was in the trade.”

That trade rumor was only partially true. The Pistons had agreed to a deal that would have sent Richard Hamilton along with another player to the New Jersey Nets in a trade that also would have sent Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey. But that second Pistons player was in fact DaJuan Summers, not White.

Still, that moment surprised White. The rest of the season has been relatively uneventful for the rookie guard who broke his right foot Oct. 5 during the preseason opener against the Miami Heat. He has spent most of his time working with strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander to rehabilitate the injury.

White just started practicing fully this week. So far, Pistons coach John Kuester likes what he sees.

“He’s starting to get into basketball shape,” Kuester said. “I’m very pleased with his progress in practice. It’s good to have him on the court.”

White is glad to be back as well.

“I’ve never had to sit out that long from an injury,” White said. “I mean, it’s been hard. I’m still trying to learn by watching. ... It’s been five, six months. It’s been hard just sitting there watching them play.”

Right now, White is focused on regaining the strength in his right leg. He said he still has some pain in his foot, but that Kander said that is normal.