Pelicans' Bryce Dejean-Jones dies at 23

Bryce Dejean-Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans has died, the team confirmed on Saturday.

He was 23.

Dejean-Jones died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, his agent told ESPN.

The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that Dejean-Jones was shot and killed after he "kicked open the front door" to a Dallas apartment, and the man inside fired a gun at him. The NBA player then collapsed in the breezeway of the complex before being taken to hospital.

Dejean-Jones went undrafted in 2015 after playing his final college season with the Iowa State Cyclones. The 6-foot-6 guard also played at USC and UNLV.

After starting this season in the D-League, the Los Angeles native signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Pelicans before agreeing to a three-year, partially-guaranteed deal on Feb. 19. The shooting guard was thrust into action due to a phalanx of injuries to the New Orleans roster, and showed some promise in 14 games before suffering a wrist fracture himself.

"Bryce overcame a lot of obstacles to get to this point in his career," his agent Scott Nichols told ESPN's Justin Verrier. "He was a joy to be around, a talent just turning the corner in his career."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Pelicans' Bryce Dejean-Jones dies at 23