Gretna native Elfrid Payton earns near double-double in first NBA game in over 2 years

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Pelicans (4-12) are looking to a familiar face from the Westbank to address their newfound lack of depth at point guard due to a rash of team injuries.

Gretna native Elfrid Payton reached a deal Wednesday (Nov. 20) morning with New Orleans.

The Pelicans waived Jaylen Nowell to create a roster spot for Payton.

The signing was officially a call-up from the G-League affiliate Birmingham Squadron. Payton hasn’t appeared in a game for Birmingham this season but was on the opening-day roster.

Rather than starting the season off in the G-League, Payton finds himself suddenly thrust into a starting point guard role once again. He’s been fighting for over two years to return to an active NBA roster.

After being called up on Wednesday morning, he was on the floor for tipoff in Cleveland to face the Cavs, one of the league’s hottest teams, with “New Orleans” across his chest.

Despite the Pelicans missing every major contributing player in a 100-128 loss to Cleveland, Payton made the most of his opportunity and turned in a near double-double. He finished with a final stat line of 11 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. He also shot 5-for-8 from the floor.

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The former John Ehret star’s last season being on an active NBA roster was in 2021-22, appearing in 50 games for the Phoenix Suns. He’s spent the season since playing for the Indiana Mad Ants of the G-League in a campaign to return to the NBA.

This will be Payton’s second official stint in New Orleans. Before being waived, he briefly appeared on the Pelicans' preseason training camp roster.

“It’s exciting right because we know his journey. We know how hard he worked to get back to where he is today,” said Elfrid Payton, Senior. “Going into the G League, going overseas, back to the G League and now getting another opportunity to fulfill his dream. What other place to do it than right here at home.”

Payton, 30, played one season in New Orleans in 2018 as the team’s starting point guard. Despite missing several games and having multiple injuries in 2018, his lone season as a Pelican is regarded as the best statistically in his career.

“It’s a blessing for him to be here for not just his immediate family, but his friends and other distant family for them to come just across the river to come to a game and see him play,” said Payton’s mother Danielle.

READ MORE Gretna native Elfrid Payton signed to Pelicans training camp deal

Payton’s high school basketball coach Allen Collins said, “He has truly destroyed all of the ceilings that all of us thought we had for him. He truly, truly deserves this position.”

Collins coached Payton at John Ehret High School. “He was one of four point guards and all of those kids were really good. He outlasted them and carved a niche,” Collins said.

Payton was taken No. 10 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic after three seasons at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette under Coach Bob Marlin.

“He started off coming over as a skinny little boy,” Marlin said. “He left as a lottery pick in three years and every time we put him in position to help his cause, he did that.”

Marlin credits Payton with leading the Ragin' Cajuns to a NCAA tournament before the Magic picked him up.

“Elfrid is experienced and I think he is shooting the ball better than he’s ever shot it in his career,” Marlin said. “I think he will come in there, give them some stability and I know Coach Green thinks the world of him and Griff. I think he will help them and hopefully this plays out with a happy ending for Elfrid and for the Pels.”

The Pelicans host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors this Friday at 6:30 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, which can be found in New Orleans on antenna Ch. 7 or Cox Cable Ch. 10.

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