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The New Orleans Pelicans visited Slidell Jr. High School on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 to surprise Coach Shannon Badon and name her the 2024 Jr. Pelicans Scholastic Coach of the Year

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Recap: New Orleans Pelicans award 2024 Jr. Pelicans Scholastic Coach of the Year

Pelicans Early Bird Senior Dancer Mitzi talks about how he stays active and her 17-year tenure on the team for Get Fit Friday presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

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Pelicans Early Bird Senior Dancer Profile with Mitzi | Get Fit Friday

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Jim Eichenhofer

Age: 21NBA experience: Two seasons (two with Pelicans)Games played/games started: 61/16Key stats: 5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.4 spg

Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels’ 2023-24 NBA season overview

Daniels played well enough during his first 52 regular season games that on Feb. 6 the NBA named him as a participant in the Rising Stars competition at All-Star weekend. Unfortunately for the second-year guard, a Feb. 2 ankle injury against the Lakers not only ended his streak of appearing in every New Orleans game, but also prevented him from taking the stage in Indianapolis for the showcase event featuring the league’s premier young players.

“I set some goals at the start of the year, and one of them was to be selected to the Rising Stars team,” he said. “To be selected was an honor and a goal for me. Obviously I was injured and wasn’t able to play in it. I think I took steps forward this year, but I’ve got a long way to go.”

The native of Australia noted during his April 30 exit interview that one area of long-term focus is perimeter shooting, after he’s hovered around 31 percent on three-pointers each of his two NBA seasons. Daniels wants to bump that up to “high 30s, 40s,” which would force defenses to account for his jumper within the Pelicans’ offense.

Daniels continued to be a top defender (tied for 13th among all NBA players in steals at 1.4 per game), while making incremental jumps in other categories.

“I think I took a step from last year in defending, being able to play with a presence, playing with the ball, playmaker for my teammates,” he said. “Growth in a little bit of everything in my game. There’s a lot more growth I have left in me. I’m looking forward to showing that in Year 3.”

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Dyson Daniels Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights

Pelicans radio color analyst John DeShazier recaps New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels' 2023-24 NBA season.

Dyson Daniels' per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season

Rank among all NBA players for Daniels in steals per 36 minutes (minimum 50 regular season games played). His rate of 2.3 thefts per 36 trailed only Portland ace defending wing Matisse Thybulle (2.7) and Brooklyn guard Dennis Smith Jr. (2.3). Pelicans teammate Jose Alvarado ranked sixth on that list (2.1).

NBA players born in Australia who appeared in at least one game during the 2023-24 season. Several of them will be part of the national team that competes in the Olympics in France. “I’ve got a big summer ahead of me, the Olympics coming up,” Daniels said April 30. “I think I took big steps this year. Hopefully next year I can make an even bigger jump.”

Daniels rank all-time among Australian-born players in career NBA games played (120). He’ll move into the top dozen of that list if he plays 36 or more games in 2024-25, sliding ahead of center Chris Anstey (1998-2000 with Dallas and Chicago).

Dyson Daniels’ three most notable games

#1, Jan. 7, New Orleans 133, Sacramento 100

Daniels played in all six victories over the Kings, including his top offensive performance of the season. He was perfect from the field and three-point range (6/6, 2/2), finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists in Golden 1 Center.

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Postgame wrap: Pelicans 133, Kings 100

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green's postgame interview after the Pelicans' win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Jan. 7 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Willie Green recaps win in Sacramento | Pelicans-Kings Postgame Interview 1/7/2024

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Photos: Pelicans vs. Kings | Game Action 1/7/2024

A home victory over the defending NBA champions was critical in the Pelicans eventually qualifying for the In-Season Tournament knockout rounds. Daniels started and produced 10 points, eight boards, seven assists and three steals.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels speaks to the media following the team's In-Season Tournament win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, November 17, 2023.

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Dyson Daniels on Zion Williamson, increased confidence | Pelicans vs Nuggets Postgame 11/17/23

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NBA In-Season Tournament postgame wrap: Pelicans 115, Nuggets 110

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Photos: Pelicans vs Nuggets | Game Action 11/17/2023

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Photos: Pelicans vs. Nuggets | Postgame Locker Room Celebration 11/17/23

An extremely shorthanded Pelicans squad benefited greatly from one of his best all-around showings, featuring 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Texas. His 38 minutes were the second-most he logged all season.

Guard Dyson Daniels hits a layup to close out the first quarter during the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 13 in American Airlines Center.

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Dyson Daniels finishes the tough layup to close the first | Pelicans at Mavericks Highlights 1/13/2024

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green's postgame interview after the Pelicans' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 13 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Willie Green recaps win over Dallas | Pelicans-Mavericks Postgame Interview 1/13/2024

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Photos: Pelicans at Mavericks | Game Action 1/13/2024

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Postgame wrap: Pelicans 118, Mavericks 108

Dyson Daniels’ player participation report

A severely sprained right ankle sidelined him for 21 consecutive games from early February through late March, but he appeared in each of the first 52 contests, as well as the final nine of the regular season. Those 61 games played were only two more than his rookie tally, but with an increased role, Daniels logged 1,358 total minutes, compared to 1,042 in Year 1.

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Dyson Daniels | 2023-24 NBA Season in Review

On the latest New Orleans Pelicans Podcast from Friday, May 17, 2024, Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell welcome back Pelicans radio color analyst John DeShazier to discuss Dyson Daniels' 2023-2024 NBA season as we continue with our Pelicans roster season recaps.

LISTEN ABOVE OR CLICK HERE FOR FULL PODCAST >>

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Dyson Daniels' 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Naji Marshall's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Jose Alvarado's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Larry Nance Jr.'s 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Trey Murphy III 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Jonas Valanciunas’ 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Herb Jones’ 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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CJ McCollum’s 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Brandon Ingram's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Zion Williamson's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Pelicans Season Recap, NBA Playoffs vs. OKC Thunder | Pelicans Podcast

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Pelicans must-win Game 4, adjustments vs. OKC Thunder | Pelicans Podcast

Pelicans Podcast

Check out highlights of New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels' top plays of the 2023-24 NBA season! Part of our Pelicans 2023-24 NBA season player recaps.

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Photos: Dyson Daniels 2023‑24 Season in Review

Age: 26NBA experience: Four seasons (four with Pelicans)Games played/games started: 66/1Key stats: 7.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 38.7 three-point percentage, 79.1 FT percentage

Pelicans forward Naji Marshall’s 2023-24 NBA season overview

One of the key cogs for a New Orleans bench that ranked second in plus-minus this season (after finishing eighth last season and No. 22 in 2021-22), Marshall provided defense, energy, toughness, hustle and was an improved shooter and offensive player in his fourth season.

“All of these guys all season long, they’ve all contributed to wins and have contributed to this journey,” third-year head coach Willie Green said of his second unit. “They’re important to what we do. It’s refreshing to see the results.” Brandon Ingram on Pelicans subs: “It just feels like they’re always in the right spots at the right time, and they always bring energy. Naji changes the game in a big way on the defensive side, pushing the pace.”

Marshall went undrafted in 2020 partly due to questions about his perimeter shot (29 percent on three-pointers over three seasons at Xavier in Ohio), but he’s begun to answer those as a pro. He hovered over 40 percent for a long stretch of 2023-24, before finishing at 38.7.

“Reps on top of reps on top of reps,” Marshall explained of his improvement. “Hours being in the gym. Getting that confidence, knowing I work on it and just trusting my work when I get on the court. (And) of course my teammates trusting me.”

The Atlantic City (N.J.) native will be an unrestricted free agent July 1. He’s repeatedly expressed gratitude for being in the NBA, including noting of the NOLA bench’s second-ranked status, “just to be a part of that gave me chills.”

“I’m blessed to be here,” he said. “All glory to God. Just to be able to get in an NBA game, and just get a chance, is everything to me.”

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Naji Marshall Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights

Pelicans radio color analyst John DeShazier recaps New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall's 2023-24 NBA season.

Naji Marshall's per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season

Three-point percentage over his previous three NBA seasons (116 of 406), making him one of the league’s most improved perimeter shooters.

Percentage of his points that came after opponent turnovers. Among Pelicans players who logged significant minutes, that ranked third (Dyson Daniels 20.6, Herb Jones 20.3).

Team-leading buzzer-beating heaves by Marshall at the ends of quarters. Daniels (four) and Larry Nance Jr. (three) were next on the Pelicans.

Naji Marshall’s three most notable games

#1, April 19, New Orleans 105, Sacramento 98

Marshall was arguably the team’s MVP in the victory that sent the Pelicans to the playoffs, bringing aggressive defense and opportunistic offense to a sixth consecutive win over the Kings. He netted 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block, relentless hounding Sacramento’s top scorers.

Play-In highlights from New Orleans vs. the Sacramento Kings in their 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament game on Friday, April 19, 2024 as forward Naji Marshall grabs a steal and takes the ball all the way to the rim for the breakaway dunk.

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Naji Marshall steals, takes it the distance for dunk | Pelicans-Kings Play-In Highlights 4/19/24

Play-In highlights from New Orleans vs. the Sacramento Kings in their 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament game on Friday, April 19, 2024 as forward Naji Marshall throws down the dunk.

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Naji Marshall throws down the jam | Pelicans-Kings Play-In Highlights 4/19/24

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament postgame interviews with head coach Willie Green after the Pelicans' 105-98 win over the Kings on Friday, April 19 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Willie Green recaps win over Sacramento | Pelicans-Kings Play-In Postgame 4/19/2024

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Pelicans 105, Kings 98: Brandon Ingram 24 points | Play-in postgame wrap

#2, March 8, New Orleans 103, Philadelphia 95

One of the best offensive performances of his career featured near-perfection shooting-wise, at 7/8 from the field and 4/4 on threes. He tacked on a free throw to record a season-high 19 points. The Pelicans were plus-23 with him on the court, but minus-15 without him.

Forward Naji Marshall scored 19 points making 7-of-8 (.875) field goal attempts during the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 8 in Wells Fargo Center.

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Pelicans Stat Leader Highlights: Naji Marshall with 19 Points vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Orleans Pelicans postgame interview with forward Brandon Ingram following their game on Friday, March 8 at 6 p.m. CT during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Brandon Ingram talks road record, Naji Marshall | Pelicans at 76ers Postgame 3/8/24

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green spoke to the team in the locker room following the win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, March 8, 2024.

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Willie Green's postgame locker room speech | Pelicans at 76ers 3/8/24

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Postgame wrap: Pelicans 103, 76ers 95

In just his second game played of the season, Marshall helped the Pelicans bounce back from a one-sided defeat vs. the Mavericks two days earlier. He supplied 16 points on 5/9 shooting, including a banked-in three-pointer from beyond halfcourt, as New Orleans improved to 1-1 in In-Season Tournament pool play.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall scores 16 points in the team's In-Season Tournament win against the Dallas Mavericks.

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Highlights: Naji Marshall adds 16 Points vs. Dallas Mavericks 11/14/23

New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall sinks the deep buzzer beater to end the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks.

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Naji Marshall BUZZER-BEATER to end 1Q | Pelicans-Mavericks Highlights 11/14/23

New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego talks to the team postgame in the Pelicans locker room after their In-Season Tournament win against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Inside the Pelicans locker room postgame after win vs. Dallas Mavericks 11/14/2023

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NBA In-Season Tournament postgame wrap: Pelicans 131, Mavericks 110

Naji Marshall’s player participation report

A right knee contusion sidelined Marshall for the regular season’s first nine games, but from there, he was one of the team’s most durable players, appearing in 65 of the next 68 contests. For a second straight season, he was in Green’s rotation whenever he was healthy (played 77 games in 2022-23). The Pelicans were 41-25 when he played this season, but 8-8 when he was a DNP.

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Naji Marshall | 2023-24 NBA Season in Review

On the latest New Orleans Pelicans Podcast from Thursday, May 16, 2024, Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell welcome Pelicans radio color analyst John DeShazier to discuss Naji Marshall's 2023-2024 NBA season as we continue with our Pelicans roster season recaps.

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