AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Pistons rookie forward Vernon Macklin has been sent to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.

Macklin has averaged 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 19 games this season. He was the 52nd pick in last year's draft.

Detroit's Charlie Villanueva recently returned from a right ankle injury that had kept him out most of the season. Macklin didn't play in any of the Pistons' last three games, including a blowout win over Toronto on Saturday night.

Detroit plays at Utah on Monday night, starting a stretch of nine of 10 on the road.

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