It's a turnaround year like none other for the Pistons, and the best may still be yet to come

The Detroit Pistons were three minutes into their first preseason game back in October. They were already trailing by double digits against the Milwaukee Bucks. And J.B. Bickerstaff called time out to settle his team down.

He still remembers the crowd reaction.

“They booed us,” the Pistons’ first-year coach said.

They’re not booing in Detroit anymore. The Pistons — the team that lost 28 consecutive games last season — are 40-32, on the brink of clinching a winning record. They're assured of no worse than a play-in tournament berth and control their own destiny for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They’ve increased their win total by 26 games over last season, already the biggest one-year turnaround in franchise history.

They are ahead of schedule. And they are one of the best surprises in the NBA this season.

“The plan was always to win. The plan was to be better in January than we were in November and to be better in March than we were in January,” Pistons general manager Trajan Langdon said. “I always told my people, ‘I don’t know what that’s going to mean ultimately, but that’s what we’re going to set out to do.’

“But to say that with 10 games left we’re going to be at 40 wins, I would have lost that bet.”

They've hit all the right notes this season. Cade Cunningham, who former GM Troy Weaver insisted on making the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, made his first All-Star team, is a serious All-NBA candidate and is averaging 25.7 points and 9.2 assists per game — numbers that only nine players have finished a season with and numbers that only Denver's Nikola Jokic has so far this season.

Cunningham played in every game during that 28-game slide a year ago. He's savoring the fact that Detroit will see postseason basketball one season later.

“It’s something that we had all envisioned," Cunningham said. "As young guys, we had to find a way to climb to the top of the mountain. And we had a rough go early, as everybody can see. To stay with it, to continue to dig deep, this year has been super rewarding for all of us and we’re still super hungry.”

Cunningham is the leader. He's the star. He's not the only reason why Detroit is winning.

A pair of veterans — Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. — arrived after last season, are mainstays in the starting lineup and have been the 30somethings that a team of 20somethings desperately needed. Jalen Duren, a center in his third year, is averaging a double-double and shooting 70%. Malik Beasley entered Monday 17th in the league this season in fast-break points. And the Pistons have kept winning even while playing for basically the last three months without 17-point scorer Jaden Ivey, out with a broken leg.

At the helm of it all is Bickerstaff, who was fired by Cleveland after making the second round of the playoffs a year ago. He took over in Detroit after the Pistons fired Monty Williams with five years and $65 million left on his contract. But Langdon reached out with a vision, one that owner Tom Gores clearly backs, and it didn't take long for Bickerstaff to buy in.

“Timing was important," Bickerstaff said. “At the time, I had been off for about a month, and I was just spending a ton of time with my family and going to soccer tournaments and all that stuff. But I was a little antsy. So, when Trajan called, I was excited just to see and explore what the opportunity may be.

”Looking at the roster, looking at the guys that were on the team, the young guys, it was a group that I thought my skillset and personality kind of matched. And I was intrigued.”

They started 0-4. They were 9-15 in early December, 13-17 at Christmas.

And then Dec. 26 happened — a game at Sacramento where the Pistons trailed by 19 in the third quarter, by 10 with 2:45 left and won 114-113 on a four-point play from Ivey with 3.1 seconds remaining. That was part of a stretch where Detroit won 10 out of 12, capped by a victory in Madison Square Garden over New York.

Detroit was a game under .500 in early February, then ripped off an eight-game winning streak — punctuated by a 20-point win over Boston. Just like that, the Pistons were seven games over .500. It was obvious then that the playoffs would await; the berth still isn't technically clinched, but it's happening.

“They’re aware of where they are," Bickerstaff said. "What I think they’ve done a really good job of is not looking ahead and missing the moments. This team has found its consistency because it approaches every day the same, whether it’s a practice day or game day. The focus is on that day, whatever our task is at hand, without looking too far ahead.”

This probably isn't a one-year wonder in Detroit. Duren is 21. Ausar Thompson is 22. Ivey is 22. Cunningham is 23. The Pistons should have some cap space to play with this coming summer. It's not hard to envision this team being even better a year from now.

It is a happy group. And the best might still be yet to come.

“I have 1,000% fallen in love with this group," Bickerstaff said. “And all my focus goes into them and seeing them elevate and seeing them grow. That’s the thing that I find the most joy in."

Around The NBA analyzes the biggest topics in the NBA during the season.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, right, talks with guard Malik Beasley (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) celebrates with guard Malik Beasley (5) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) celebrates during the final minute of the Pistons' win over the New Orleans Pelicans in an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is cheered by his teammates after scoring the winning basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is cheered by his teammates after scoring the winning basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrates after scoring the winning basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., (NYSE: FDP) one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is proud to announce that its Rubyglow® pineapple—the latest in its extensive lineup of pineapple innovations—was awarded Best Food Innovation by the prestigious World Food Innovation Awards 2025.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250429145381/en/

Hosted by FoodBev Media, the World Food Innovation Awards celebrate breakthrough achievements in food and beverage, recognizing products that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and consumer appeal. Selected by a panel of industry experts, Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® pineapple was honored as this year’s standout winner.

A registered U.S. plant patent, the Rubyglow® pineapple is the most exclusive pineapple Fresh Del Monte has ever brought to market. It’s a cross between a traditional pineapple and the deep red–skinned Morada variety, which is typically inedible. The result: a visually stunning fruit with a deep red outer shell and citrine-yellow flesh that offers a smooth, tropical flavor with low acidity. Retailing at $395, it represents the pinnacle of luxury in fresh produce.

“The exclusive Rubyglow® pineapple underscores our global leadership in the pineapple category,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Del Monte. “We continuously strive to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation, and the Rubyglow® pineapple is a shining example of that commitment. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement.”

Rubyglow® pineapple joins a distinguished lineup of Fresh Del Monte pineapple innovations, including the vibrant Pinkglow® pineapple, the ultra-sweet Honeyglow® pineapple, and the climate-smart Del Monte Zero® pineapple—each developed to meet evolving consumer tastes while advancing sustainability and flavor. Together, these varieties showcase the company’s continued investment in high-value, premium fruit offerings.

The Rubyglow® pineapple took more than 15 years of R&D to develop and requires nearly two years to grow. Grown using traditional crossbreeding methods, it demands precision at every stage of cultivation. A limited seed supply and lengthy growth cycle contribute to its rarity and premium status. Since its initial launch in China—where it sold out almost instantly—the fruit has expanded into North America and Europe. Today, global demand continues to outpace supply, with waitlists forming worldwide.

Marketing Director of FoodBev Media and host of the ceremony, Daniel Bunt, emphasized the significance of this year’s awards: “This year’s World Food Innovation Awards has seen an incredible plethora of products and brands from across the international food and beverage industry. The turnout at this year’s Winners’ Ceremony is a clear indication of the industry's hunger for innovation, providing entrants into our awards with a dedicated platform to promote themselves at IFE, with an increase in engagement both online and in person.”

Fresh Del Monte invites fruit lovers, retailers, and industry partners to experience the award-winning Rubyglow® pineapple and explore how it’s redefining the luxury fruit market. For more information, please visit freshdelmonte.com/. To join the global waiting list, visit https://freshdelmonte.com/rubyglow/.

ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE ® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN ® brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte has also been awarded the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards four times in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.

Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® Pineapple Named Best Food Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards 2025