With training camp already underway and the NBA season set to begin, teams are scrambling to sign as much talent as possible in hopes of rounding out their roster. As such, the New Orleans Pelicans have inked undrafted center Brandon McCoy to a non-guaranteed deal.
This news was first announced on the team’s official Twitter page.
#Pelicans sign center Brandon McCoy. #DoItBIG pic.twitter.com/x9xUE6h0Ie
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 29, 2018
McCoy, who played for the UNLV Rebels, averaged a double-double of 16.9 points and 10.3 rebounds, to go along with 1.8 blocks and almost 54% shooting from the field. At 7’1” and 250 pounds, he is a wide-bodied player that should find some success in the league as a rebounder and rim protector off the bench.
With only oft-injured Alex Ajinca, undersized Cheick Diallo, and former Sixer Jahlil Okafor as the bigs playing behind superstar Anthony Davis, investing in a young player with good defensive abilities is a wise move for the franchise. If he shows enough potential during the next couple of weeks, it is very possible that he ends up making the Pelican’s regular season roster.
For what its worth, he has certainly made an impact on Head Coach Alvin Gentry after his initial workout, as reported by Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com:
“He did a good job today really for a guy that walked in here, ate breakfast and then came to the basketball court.”
While things are obviously far from certain for McCoy, who has an uphill climb ahead of him, I’m sure he is relieved to be given this opportunity to show his worth. This could very well be the beginning of his journey to turn his NBA dream into a reality.
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