BayHawks vs. Ignite: 5 guys who might play for the New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans: Jalen Adams may be undersized

Jalen Adams is in his second stint with the Erie BayHawks. The former UConn guard played for the New Orleans Pelicans’ development team in the 2019-20 season after going undrafted. Then, he averaged 19 points per game on 39 percent three-point shooting.

Adams has been on the Pels’ radar ever since his career with the Huskies came to an end upon leaving college. At UConn, Adams averaged 14 points per game. He improved different aspects of his game every season. For instance, he scored the most points during his junior season but had much better efficiency his senior year.

Adams played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 Summer League and, at one point, was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract. It’s clear that the organization at least sees enough in him to keep Adams around.

The 6-foot-3 guard was one of the BayHawks’ brightest spots against the G League Ignite—and there were plenty of them. Adams went off for 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He was a constant threat for Erie as they handily beat the Ignite team. Adams played a confident brand of basketball during his 22 minutes on the floor. At one point in the third quarter, he splashed a three right in Jalen Green’s face, not wilting in what will likely be his showcase game this season.

Adams outdid his season averages in this game. He had been shooting 43 percent from the field and 30 percent from three, but he turned it up against the BayHawks.

The caveat with Adams is that he’s really a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. Adams can pass the ball—he averaged almost five assists in his previous season with the BayHawks—but he is a guy who will look for his own shot first and foremost. He only had one assist against Ignite.

Small shooting guards are rare in the NBA nowadays and Adams is facing an uphill climb even if he is a good scorer and athlete.