The Dallas County coroner"s office has confirmed this morning that NBA prospect and New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has died at the age of 23.
Bryce Dejean-Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans prepares for a dunk against the Washington Wizards.
Source: Getty
No cause has been given by the coroner"s office yet and the club is yet to comment on the loss.
Dejean-Jones was acquired by the Pelicans in December last year after averaging 19.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in the NBA"s development league.
He was signed to a 10-day NBA contract in January with New Orleans and used his 14 appearances to average 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds.
The stint impressed the club and he was offered a three-year contract extension in February.
Ritual Sacrifice of Bryce Alexander Dejean-Jones, May 28, 2016 (2016 NBA Finals Connection)
New Orleans Pelicans player Bryce Dejean-Jones was shot and killed in Dallas early Saturday.
NBA player Bryce Dejean-Jones fatallyshot
New Orleans Pelicans player Bryce Dejean-Jones was shot and killed in Dallas early Saturday.
(CNN) New Orleans Pelicans player Bryce Dejean-Jones was shot to death early Saturday in Dallas, with his agent saying it happened because the player mistakenly entered the wrong apartment.
A Dallas resident told police he heard someone enter his apartment by kicking open the front door, police spokesman DeMarquis Black said in a statement. The resident said he called out to the individual, but was not answered, and when the residents bedroom door was kicked open, the resident fired his gun, police said.
Dejean-Jones collapsed in the breezeway, police said. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, Black said.
The basketball players agent, Scott Nichols, said Dejean-Jones was in Dallas to visit his girlfriend for his daughters first birthday.
This was the first time Dejean-Jones visited her new apartment, Nichols said. Later that night Dejean-Jones came back to the apartment complex but went to the wrong unit on the third floor, just below his girlfriends fourth-floor apartment, Nichols said.
Police had no immediate response to Nichols comments.
There is no information that suggests the deceased Bryce Dejean-Jones knew the apartment resident, or was armed as he entered the apartment, Black said.
Police have not said if any charges will be filed.
Dejean-Jones, 23, was a rookie guard with the Pelicans this past season, having played in college for Iowa State, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and the University of Southern California.
It is with deep sadness that the Pelicans organization acknowledges the sudden passing of Bryce Dejean-Jones, the Pelicans said in a statement. We are devastated at the loss of this young mans life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryces family during this difficult time.
Dejean-Jones was not drafted by the NBA but was signed by the Pelicans in February and played in 14 games for the team before a broken wrist ended his season. He averaged 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.9 minutes per game.
Prior to joining New Orleans, Dejean-Jones played for the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League.
Minnesota Timberwolves player Shabazz Muhammad tweeted: I just lost my best friend/cousin last night enjoy life because you never know if tomorrow is guaranteed love you soldier ! #RIPBDJ
Dejean-Jones, a native of Los Angeles, played for Iowa State during the 2014-15 season and was fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 10.5 points per game while playing in 33 games, the Iowa State website said.
This is a very, very sad and tragic day for everyone thats a part of the Cyclone Basketball family, Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement saying, The NBA family mourns the tragic loss of New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones. Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his journey to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league.
Bryce overcame a lot of obstacles to get to this point in his career, said Nichols, his agent. He was a great player and an even better person. Its unfortunate because he was just turning a corner in his career.
