Detroit Pistons

Address: 6201 Second Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Arena Name: Little Caesars Arena
Phone: (313) 462-8200

Sebastien Poirier

Senior Medical Director / Head Athletic Trainer
Education: Salem State University (B.S., A.T.C.); UMass Lowell (D.P.T.)
Hometown: Newton, MA
NBATA Member Since: 2016
Sebastien Poirier began serving as Senior Medical Director of the Detroit Pistons in 2022 after having spent the previous 6 years with the Brooklyn Nets. He graduated from Salem State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Athletic Training. He then earned his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2012.

Poirier began his basketball career in 2013 with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization where he worked as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Thunder and as Head Athletic Trainer of their G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Poirier then spent the next 6 years with the Brooklyn Nets as the Assistant Athletic Trainer from 2016-2018 and as Head Athletic Trainer from 2018-2022.

In addition to being a licensed physical therapist and athletic trainer, Poirier is also a board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics and is pursuing a fellowship in manual therapy. Poirier currently resides in Ferndale Michigan with his wife Christina and their 2 cats, Neon and Beau.

Gregory Smith

VP-Player Heath and Care
Education: Salisbury State University (BS); California University of PA (MS); California University of PA (PTA)
Hometown: South Bend, IN
NBATA Member Since: 2024
Greg Smith is a nationally recognized Athletic Trainer with over 30 years of experience in professional sports, including 20 years as Head Athletic Trainer for both the Washington Capitals and Mighty Ducks of the NHL. In 2024 he joined the Detroit Pistons as Vice President of Player Health and Care. Greg is also an entrepreneur, business owner, and investor with a successful healthcare and wellness portfolio.
In 2002, while concurrently working for the Capitals, Greg co-founded Professional SportsCare & Rehab, an outpatient physical therapy practice that expanded to 20 locations across Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Leveraging his expertise in sports medicine and his network in professional sports, Greg developed an Athletic Training outreach program that became a premier service for youth, scholastic, collegiate, and professional sports teams in the region. Under his leadership, Professional SportsCare & Rehab became the provider of choice for many professional athletes.
In 2013, Greg helped orchestrate a private equity investment in Professional SportsCare & Rehab, leading to the creation of Pivot Health Solutions, which grew into a national network of over 250 physical therapy clinics. Greg served as Pivot's first Chief Marketing Officer and later as a Senior Executive Advisor. Pivot was acquired by Athletico in 2022.

After retiring from the Washington Capitals in 2018, Greg help rebuild the University of Maryland program from 2018-2019. In 2021 he served as Head ATC for the Erie Bayhawnks in the G league bubble. His NFL experience came in the 2021-22 season were he was called into action to help with the Washington Commanders Football team during a difficult time.

Greg holds a Master of Science in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with concentrations in Special Education and Athletic Training from Salisbury State University.

Alex Garland

Director of Athletic Training
Education: Central Michigan University (BS)
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI
NBATA Member Since: 2023
Prior to transitioning into the director of athletic training role for the Detroit Pistons, Alex served as the embedded athletic trainer with the Pistons through their healthcare partner Henry Ford Health. Alex previously worked 2 seasons of high school outreach while assisting with coverage for Detroit City FC and Saint Clair Shores Fighting Saints pro teams. Alex is from Sterling Heights Michigan and currently lives in Madison Heights Michigan with his wife Marissa and their dog.

Partson Chinyadza

Assistant Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist
Education: Purdue University (BS); University of Indianapolis (DPT)
NBATA Member Since: 2023
Partson Chinyadza joined the Detroit Pistons organization in 2023 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist for the team. Previously he spent 6 seasons as the Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist for the Detroit Lions Football organization. Partson graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic training in 2014. He then earned his Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2017.

Prior to the Pistons and Lions, Partson spent time as an athletic training intern for Denver Broncos in 2012 and 2013. He also worked in Olympic Sports with USA Gymnastics and USA Diving. He currently lives in the city of Detroit.