The Detroit Pistons announced Friday morning the name of their new NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise.

The Motor City Cruise are coming to Detroit!

The new G League affiliate will play its games on the campus of Wayne State University starting the 2021-2022 season. Along with Wayne State’s men and women’s basketball teams, the Cruise will play their home games at the new 70,000 square foot arena that’s currently under construction.

Where did Motor City Cruise come from?

The team’s name, Motor City Cruise, was selected as part of a fan contest. Dylan Martin from Grandville, MI, had the contest-winning selection. According to a team press release, Martin will receive four courtside tickets and a VIP package for the inaugural season. Martin was the first of 10 people to submit the winning name. Pistons owner Tom Gores wanted fan participation in naming the team, feeling the community involvement would generate excitement. 

“After considering many clever submissions, we are excited to announce the Motor City Cruise as the next professional sports franchise for the city of Detroit,” said Gores. “We wanted Pistons fans to help us with the naming process and engage with our new brand from the beginning. Our new G League team will create an affordable entertainment option in Detroit and also play an important role in our player development goals.”

“We thank those who took the time to offer suggestions.”

Then there’s the sick logo..

Along with the name, the team’s logo, which was also unveiled Friday morning, pays homage to Pistons history. The Cruise will carry the Pistons traditional red, white, blue, and gray colors. Along with that, it will carry the same lettering to be in alignment with the Pistons color and font scheme. However, what will stand out most to Pistons fans is the logo’s firing tailpipes, a nod to the early 2000s Pistons logo.

Earlier this July, the Detroit Pistons purchased the G League’s Northern Arizona Suns from the Phoenix Suns. The Pistons announced their affiliation with their current G League affiliate, Grand Rapids Drive, will end after the 2020-2021 season.