By Dave Goldstein
Enquirer contributor

TORONTO - A lot of NBA rookies get more minutes and put up more impressive numbers than Tayshaun Prince, but the former Kentucky Wildcat would not trade places with any of them.

The 23rd pick of the 2002 NBA draft, Prince went to a Detroit team that won 50 games last season and already has won 38 this season. The Pistons (38-23) have a set rotation loaded with seasoned veterans, and coach Rick Carlisle is reluctant to tinker with what has worked. As a result, Prince has averaged 2.9 points and 9.0 minutes a game.

An All-American and SEC Southeastern Conference Player of the Year at Kentucky last season, Prince would be within his rights to long for more minutes and shots. But he understands that to get them he would have to be on a worse team, and he doesn't think the trade-off is worth making.

"Right now I'm just sitting back, observing and learning from the veteran guys," said Prince. "It's difficult simply because I was a starter for four years at a big-time program and I'm not getting that kind of playing time right now. But being on a winning team helps out a great deal, and I know that eventually my time will be there."

Prince sees a lot of similarities between his current club and his Wildcats teams, including balanced scoring and a commitment to defense.

Michael Curry and Corliss Williamson are not household names, but the two forwards who play ahead of Prince do all the little things that help the team win. Although his numbers don't show it, Prince is on his way to doing the same.

"For a guy like Tayshaun, who is not getting a lot of minutes, you have to look at what he's doing off the court," Pistons All-Star Ben Wallace said. "He comes to work every day. He's in the gym two hours before his scheduled time. I look at a guy like that and say, 'He's striving to be the best that he can be.' Good things are definitely going to happen for him."

Some argue that good things would be happening for Prince already had he left the Wildcats after his sophomore or junior season, but the proud UK grad is a better, more mature basketball player for having stayed.

"It's been an amazing ride," Prince said. "Getting my education was obviously very important to me, and it made my parents really proud. To everyone else, I took the long path to get here, but it was important for me to take this route. It's meant a great deal to me, and I know it's going to help me in the long run."