Motor City Cruise

The Motor City Cruise bring professional basketball back to Detroit's NBA G League scene, serving as the official development affiliate of the Detroit Pistons. The team tips off its home games at Wayne State Fieldhouse, a venue that has become a hub for up-and-coming talent and local hoops fans alike. But the Cruise's journey to Motown is anything but a straight shot. This franchise has crisscrossed the country, starting as the Long Beach Jam in 2003, then morphing into the Bakersfield Jam, the Northern Arizona Suns, and finally landing in Detroit in 2021 when the Pistons took ownership. Each relocation brought a new identity, yet the core mission stayed the same: nurturing players for the NBA.

The Cruise play a fast-paced, high-energy brand of basketball, typical of the G League's focus on player development and entertainment. While the team doesn't boast the star power of its parent club, it offers a raw, up-close look at the future of the sport, with ticket prices that won't break the bank. The franchise's nomadic past and recent homecoming give it a unique story within the league's landscape. [edit]

The franchise began in 2003 as the Long Beach Jam, an independent team in the ABA, before joining the NBA Development League (now G League) in 2006 as the Bakersfield Jam. After several seasons in California, the team relocated to Prescott Valley, Arizona, in 2016, rebranding as the Northern Arizona Suns. In 2021, the Detroit Pistons purchased the franchise and moved it to Detroit, renaming it the Motor City Cruise. The team has since become a key part of the Pistons' player development system, with a strong focus on community engagement in the Motor City.

Since arriving in Detroit, the Cruise have posted competitive seasons, including a 22–14 record in the 2025–26 campaign, which secured a playoff berth. The team celebrated its five-year anniversary in Detroit in March 2026. Under the leadership of President of Business Operations Dr. China Jude, the Cruise have expanded their community footprint, hosting events like the Youth All-Star Draft and open tryouts for aspiring players. [edit]