Bryce Dejean-Jones Dies At 23

Matt Bush / USA TODAY Sports Images

Matt Bush / USA TODAY Sports Images

8:58pm: An NBA security report states that Dejean-Jones was calling for his girlfriend when he was shot through the bedroom door, tweets Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. A portion of the report tweeted by Justin Verrier of ESPN.com says an autopsy is being conducted, and toxicology reports won’t be returned for “a couple weeks.”

5:18pm: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released a statement on the death of Dejean-Jones. “The NBA family mourns the tragic loss of New Orleans Pelicans point guard Bryce Dejean-Jones,” Silver said. “Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his way to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Bryce’s family and the entire Pelicans organization during this difficult time.”

4:51pm: Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry offered condolences on hearing of Dejean-Jones’ death, tweets Brett Dawson of The Advocate. “I have all the respect for Bryce,” Gentry said. “I just had a real soft spot in my heart for him because I just felt like he was headed in the right direction. I thought he was ready to blossom as a player. I really did.”

3:55pm: An email from the apartment manager says Dejean-Jones tried to enter the residence of “an estranged acquaintance,” but went to the wrong place, tweets Justin W. Waldrop of Fox 4 in Dallas.

3:45pm: Dejean-Jones went to the wrong floor of his girlfriend’s apartment, tweets international journalist David Pick. He found himself locked out and pounded on the door several times before entering. Police say it doesn’t appear that Dejean-Jones and the apartment resident knew each other before the shooting, according to Justin Verrier of ESPN.com.

SATURDAY: 2:08pm: Pelicans rookie Bryce Dejean-Jones has died at age 23, reports Travis Hines of The Ames Tribune. Dejean-Jones was shot in the abdomen and bled to death, tweets Shams Charania of The Vertical. His death has been confirmed by the Dallas County (Texas) coroner’s office.

Dejean-Jones was allegedly involved in an early-morning break-in at a Dallas residence when the shooting took place, according to Sarah Mervosh of The Dallas Morning News. The person who lives at the residence told police that he shot Dejean-Jones after the player kicked down his bedroom door at 3:20 a.m. today. Dejean-Jones was taken to a hospital, where he died from the bullet wound. Dallas Police Homicide is conducting an investigation. Texas law permits people to use deadly force to protect themselves and their homes, Mervosh notes.

Dejean-Jones signed with New Orleans in midseason after going undrafted out of Iowa State. He inked 10-day deals in January and Feburary and played his way into a three-year contract. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 games before being sidelined with a broken right wrist.

The Pelicans have released a statement on Dejean-Jones’ death, saying, “It is with deep sadness that the Pelicans organization acknowledges the sudden passing of Bryce Dejean-Jones. We are devastated at the loss of this young man’s life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family at this difficult time.” 

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