THE New Orleans Pelicans will end their coaching camp in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday earlier than returning residence to start their preseason at residence on Monday. That is the time when groups construct chemistry and camaraderie for the lengthy season forward. For about three hours Saturday, two Pelicans teammates weren’t on the identical group as their school groups confronted off on the soccer subject.
It is Herb Jones versus Matt Ryan 😀
Some group members are watching Alabama vs. Vanderbilt 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Vbd7HyNZcZ
– New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 5, 2024
Pelicans ahead Herb Jones attended the College of Alabama, whereas sharpshooter Matt Ryan spent his school years at Vanderbilt. Becoming a member of them within the recreation have been teammates CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, Daniel Theis and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
In a historic upset, the Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide 40-35. Vanderbilt beat Alabama for the primary time in 40 years and earned its first win over a High 5 group at school historical past. Matt Ryan, former Commodore striker expressed his enthusiasm following the monumental victory on social media.
Ryan attended Vanderbilt for one season after transferring from Notre Dame. He averaged 8.1 factors and a pair of.7 rebounds per recreation throughout his junior season. The 6-foot-6 ahead completed his school profession at Chattanooga earlier than going undrafted. After bouncing round from the G League and NBA, Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans forward of the 2023 season.
Early within the 12 months, accidents to Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado and CJ McCollum pushed Ryan to earn taking part in time, and he delivered. In November, Ryan averaged 9.7 factors on 53% capturing from the three-point line. He performed a mean of 23 minutes per recreation, however noticed these numbers drop considerably as soon as New Orleans bought its gamers wholesome.
Jones performed 4 years on the College of Alabama and made a major impression on this system. The defensive star was twice named to the SEC All-Defensive Crew and was named SEC Participant of the Yr and SEC Defensive Participant of the Yr in the identical season. New Orleans drafted him with the thirty fifth choose within the 2021 NBA Draft.
Since becoming a member of the NBA, Jones has continued to shine on the defensive finish. He’s second within the league in interceptions since 2021 and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Crew, the one non-center or energy ahead to make the group.
New Orleans hosts its lone preseason recreation at residence in opposition to the Orlando Magic earlier than hitting the highway for the rest of the preseason. The Pelicans open their common season at residence in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on October 23.
