Rick Mahorn, the legendary Detroit Pistons big man, is officially back coaching the BIG3’s Detroit AMPs, and he is bringing that classic “Bad Boy” energy right into Little Caesars Arena. This isn’t just another coaching gig for Mahorn, who’s been at the helm for four different BIG3 teams since the league kicked off in 2017. Nah, this is different, and he made it clear: “This is home.”
The Return of a Hometown Hero to Little Caesars Arena
You can feel the local pride radiating from this move. The BIG3 league wisely shifted to a local ownership model for the 2025 season to fire up local interest and boost revenue, and bringing Mahorn home is a genius play. George Gervin, a Detroit native and Eastern Michigan alum, coached the AMPs in their inaugural 2025 season and is still part of the ownership crew. Think about that rivalry! Gervin and Mahorn used to clash not just in the BIG3, but back in the NBA in the 80s. Mahorn even remembers Gervin hitting him with that classic finger roll and chirping, “Too late, Big Fella, too late.” Now, Mahorn, the 6-10, 260-pound Pistons enforcer, is leading his AMPs onto the same court where he bleeds Pistons blue. They already played there on June 27 for Week Two, and fans will get another chance to welcome him home on July 23 for Week Six. Even Greg Hamilton, chief marketing officer for Little Caesars pizza, put it perfectly: “As Detroiters we root for all of our Detroit teams.” You know it. Mahorn is already a fixture in that arena, serving as the color analyst for the Pistons radio broadcast network and working with the Pistons Legends alumni association alongside guys like James Edwards, Bill Laimbeer, and Isiah Thomas. They are out there as ambassadors, showing up for both home games and community events. Talk about roots!
Mahorn’s Wisdom Shaping the Next Generation of Pistons
It’s not just about the BIG3 for Mahorn; he’s got a real connection with the current Pistons squad too. These guys respect the legend, hitting him up for stories about those epic playoff battles against Larry Bird’s Celtics, Magic Johnson’s Lakers, and Michael Jordan’s Bulls. Mahorn says, “The guys show a lot of respect,” and you can tell it means something to him. He could definitely relate when the Pistons recently traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies. Mahorn knows that grind! He was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1980, then traded to the Pistons in 1985, later claimed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1989, only to come back to the Pistons from 1996 to 1999. “I’m one of those former players that’s been on several teams,” he admitted. “This is the business of basketball, and you will miss people.” With the Stewart trade, acquiring John Collins, and restricted free agent Jalen Duren’s status still up in the air, the Pistons are clearly building around Cade Cunningham, who was an All-NBA, first-team player in 2026. Mahorn sees it, too. “I love his wholesomeness. I love his grounded attitude,” he said about Cunningham. That’s high praise from a guy who knows what it takes to win in this league.
You know Mahorn is going to bring that same intensity and hard-nosed attitude to the BIG3’s Detroit AMPs. Don’t miss them back at Little Caesars Arena on July 23. This isn’t just basketball; it’s a homecoming for a true legend, and everyone in the league should be watching what he does with this squad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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