Pistons sign ex-Detroit Mercy star Ray McCallum

The Pistons, in the final stages of their offseason roster tinkering in free agency, picked up a familiar name on Monday.

A team source confirmed to The Detroit News that the Pistons have agreed to terms with former University of Detroit-Mercy standout guard Ray McCallum Jr. on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract.

McCallum, 25, has played three seasons in the NBA after a stellar college career at UDM, under his father, Ray McCallum, Sr.

A 6-foot-3 point guard, McCallum is expected to compete with Lorenzo Brown to be the Pistons’ third point guard, behind Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith, who was signed as a free agent this month.

McCallum was selected in the second round (36th overall) by the Sacramento Kings in the 2013 draft but has struggled to stick in the NBA. His best season was 2014-15, when he averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 assists with the Kings in 2014-15 before he was traded last July to the San Antonio Spurs.

He signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Memphis Grizzlies after several stints in the D-League and being waived by the Spurs in February.

McCallum played 10 games with the Grizzlies, including three starts, and posted 6.9 points and 2.7 assists, with 39 percent on 3-pointers. In 31 games with the Spurs, he played sparingly, getting only 2.2 points and 1.1 assists in 31 appearances.

Brown, also 25, had an impressive Orlando Summer League for the Pistons and coach Stan Van Gundy remarked that he was one of their most consistent players throughout the week. Brown, 6-foot-5, will give McCallum a good run for what is likely the final roster spot.

McCallum fits into the Pistons’ new direction of young, athletic players. The rest of the roster is all under 30 years old. Like Brown, McCallum has bounced around to several teams and is looking to find a more permanent home. Coming back to his familiar surroundings — he played at Detroit Country Day High — could be the boost that he needs.

In three seasons at UDM, McCallum averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists, including 18.7 points in his final season.

Priority Sports, which represents McCallum, posted Monday to its Twitter page: “Congratulations to our guy Ray McCallum. So happy for your contract with the Detroit Pistons. Heading back to the motor city!”

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter @detnewsRodBeard