When looking at the Western Conference standings, one has to scroll all the way to the bottom before they see the New Orleans Pelicans. They are dead-last in the conference with an ugly 7-31 record. That is only better than the Washington Wizards in the entire NBA. The Pelicans have been the most injury-ravaged team this season and forced head coach Willie Green to rely on players who would have never been part of the team’s rotation if healthy. Two-way players (particularly Brandon Boston Jr.) have been forced into playing a lot for the team.
Another player who had been on a two-way deal and received some time for the Pelicans was Trey Jemison. Past tense is used in the previous sentence because New Orleans has waived Jemison from his two-way deal. They didn’t wait long to fill their newly-formed open slot with someone else.
Pelicans Waive Jemison, Add G League Standout On Two-Way
Keion Brooks Jr. Joins Pelicans On Two-Way Contract
It was announced by William Guillory of the Athletic that the Pelicans agreed on a two-way contract with forward Keion Brooks Jr. The 24-year-old forward went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He has yet to play in an NBA game and has been spending the 2024-25 season in the G League with the Pelicans affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.
The Pelicans announced that they’ve agreed to a two-way deal with Keion Brooks Jr.
He averaged 18.0 points and 6.8 rebounds with the Squadron this season.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) January 10, 2025
In 20 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Birmingham, Brooks Jr. has posted averages of 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks. Standing at 6-foot-7, Brooks has shot 45.0% from the field, 34.2% from beyond the arc, and 71.4% from the free-throw line.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Brooks Jr. played five seasons collegiately. After spending his first three with the Kentucky Wildcats, he was with the Washington Huskies for the final two. He was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2023-24 and All-Pac-12 Second Team in 2022-23 during his two years with Washington.
Brooks Jr. joins Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain as the two-way players rostered by the Pelicans.
Jemison Waived After Appearing In 16 Games
On a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, the team waived Jemison in the offseason. New Orleans claimed the 25-year-old off waivers two days later.
The Pelicans had a clear hole in the middle and decided to give the 6-foot-11 center a shot. Jemison received action in 16 games for New Orleans this season. Playing 10.4 minutes per contest, he averaged 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Much like the Pelicans this season, the Grizzlies faced a boatload of injuries last season. Jemison started 14 of his 23 appearances with the team in 2023-24. He finished his season with them averaging 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
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