Reports are circulating around social media that former Iowa State Cyclone and New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones has passed away.
Dejean-Jones was 23 years old and no immediate cause of death has been reported. The story was first reported by Travis Hines of the Ames Tribune.
Former Cyclone Bryce Dejean-Jones dead at 23
Dejean-Jones was found dead in Dallas County, Texas. Unofficial reports have said that he died of a gunshot wound.
He played his senior season at Iowa State after short stints at USC and UNLV. Dejean-Jones averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the Cyclones, before heading to the NBA.
The California native was the first player coached by Fred Hoiberg to start in an NBA game.
This past season, Dejean-Jones averaged 5.6 points per game for New Orleans, starting 11 of the 14 games in which he played for the banged-up Pelicans team. His strong play earned Dejean-Jones a partially guaranteed three year contract with the Pelicans, after starting on a 10-day contract.
Dejean-Jones’ death is yet another tragedy suffered in the NBA this year, following the passing of the wife of former Pelicans’ head coach Monty Williams, among other devastating events.
Bryce Dejean-Jones will be missed. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.
