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Former NC State star Dereon Seabron officially makes Pelicans roster

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell10/18/22ethanmmcdowell
On3 image
Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After signing a two-way contract earlier this summer, former NC State combo guard Dereon Seabron officially made the New Orleans Pelicans’ opening-night roster, the team announced Monday. He will play this season on a two-way contract, meaning he will spend roughly equal time in the NBA and in the G-League.

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The guard opted to remain in the draft at the June 1 deadline this year, forgoing his final years of college to pursue a professional career. Now, he will have the chance to establish himself in the NBA with a team full of young talent. 

Former Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado signed a two-way contract with New Orleans last year and eventually worked his way into the rotation, emerging as a crucial member of the team during the Pelicans’ playoff run.

Seabron is one of 17 athletes to make the roster, joining former Ohio State star E.J. Liddell as the team’s other two-way athlete. He helped secure his standing in the league with an impressive finish to the 2022 NBA Summer League, averaging 13.7 points-per-game over the final three games.

The former All-ACC NC State star took advantage of his first opportunity to start in the Pelicans’ final game in Las Vegas, scoring 19 points in 29 minutes and grabbing 8 rebounds. During the preseason, Seabron appeared in 5 games for an average of 7.3 minutes per game.

After starting just eight games in his freshman season at NC state, averaging 5.2 and 3.6 rebounds per game, Seabron quickly developed into one of the most exciting players in recent Wolfpack history. He scored 17.3 points per game last year to pace the Pack, leading NC State with 8.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as well. 

This outstanding season led to Seabron’s selection as the ACC’s Most Improved Player and a spot on the All-ACC second team. He is the first member of The Wolfpack to ever win the conference’s most improved player award. His partner in the backcourt, Terquavion Smith, joined him on the All-ACC squad as an honorable mention. 

He then decided to declare for the draft and, after going undrafted, quickly signed a deal with the Pelicans.

“First and foremost I would like to thank God for blessing me with the abilities to play the game I love,” Seabron wrote in a statement April 2. “I also want to thank my mother who has always been my #1 fan for her unconditional love and support. I am very grateful for my family and friends who supported me throughout my journey. 

“Lastly, I want to give a special thank you to the coaching staff, my teammates, and Wolfpack Nation! It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA since I was 7 years old. With that being said and after careful consideration, I have decided to enter my name in the 2022 NBA draft while maintaining my college eligibility. I am beyond excited for this journey!”

Seabron is the the sixth former NC State athlete in the NBA, joining TJ Warren, Dennis Smith Jr., Caleb Martin, Cody Martin and Omer Yurtseven. 

The Pelicans guard is from Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated from Lake Taylor High School before attending Massanutten Military Academy for a post grad year. Seabron was considered a four-star prospect in the 2019 class and held offers from Georgia, Providence, Minnesota and others.

New Orleans tips off its season Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. against the Brooklyn Nets.

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