Jaron Pierre Jr. becomes first New Orleans native drafted by Pelicans
St. Aug grad may be a long shot for opening night roster, but could see significant time for Laketown Squadron
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Pelicans selected St. Augustine High School graduate and New Orleans native Jaron Pierre Jr. with the 58th overall pick in the NBA draft.
Pelicans TV sideline reporter Andrew Lopez said it is the first time in franchise history that the team has drafted a New Orleans native.
READ MORE: New Orleans Pelicans select St. Augustine grad Jaron Pierre Jr. in NBA Draft
“The fact that you’re picking a New Orleans kid, it’s the first time in franchise history the Pelicans have ever picked a New Orleans kid in the draft,” Lopez said.
Pierre averaged 17 points per game this past season at SMU, where he was a major focal point of the Mustangs’ offense. Lopez said Pierre shot 37% from 3-point range at SMU.
Lopez said Pierre’s college path included stops at Southern Miss, Jacksonville State and Wichita State before finishing at SMU, and that he improved each year.
“This is a kid — and you say this all the time and it sounds very cliche — but it’s a guy who got better every single year,” Lopez said.
Lopez said Pierre averaged 21 points per game at Jacksonville State, where he was named Conference USA Player of the Year, before averaging 17.5 points per game at SMU.
“You’re like, OK, he can score,” Lopez said. “He did it efficiently.”
Lopez said Pierre is listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds heading into the NBA. He noted Pierre was listed at 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds during his first year at Southern Miss.
“So you see him not only getting bigger physically, but better, and he’s done it at several different levels,” Lopez said.
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What’s next for Pierre with the Pelicans?
Lopez said players selected late in the second round are often two-way players and may spend time in the G League. He said the Squadron’s move to Kenner — as the Lake Town Squadron — could be part of Pierre’s development path.
“Usually when you’re picking at this point, these guys are going to be two-way players,” Lopez said. “They’re going to be playing for the G League.”
Lopez added Pierre could also see time in New Orleans.
“Could be a guy who sees a lot of time over there,” Lopez said. “But he’s playing good enough — I’ll take him down to the Smoothie King Center, too.”
Lopez said he is looking forward to seeing Pierre in the Summer League in Las Vegas.
“I cannot wait to see him in Summer League and see what they’re able to do with him in Las Vegas,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that defense is an area Pierre will need to improve.
“One thing that he’s going to have to improve on, and I think everybody, when they’re coming into the NBA at this point, is defense,” Lopez said.
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