Malik Dia’s impressive Summer League play for the New Orleans Pelicans has landed him a 2-way contract.
The team announced the deal Tuesday afternoon.
Dia is a 6-foot-9 forward who played at Ole Miss. He didn’t get drafted, but made the most of his time with the Pelicans in Las Vegas.
He averaged 10 points and 5.8 rebounds in Summer League play, His best outing was in a win over the Phoenix Suns when he scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
“It’s just being confident in who I am.” Dia said after that victory.” I love this game. I spend so much time on it and I’m just coming out here playing another game.”
Dia also had a pair of steals and blocks in that game.
“The thing with Malik is he’s a matchup nightmare," said Pels’ Summer League coach God Shammgod. "He is so gifted and can do so many things.”
On his two-way deal, Dia will split time between the Pelicans and the Laketown Squadron, the Pels’ G League affiliate that will play its games in Kenner. NBA teams are allowed to have three players on a two-way contract. Those players are allowed to be active for up to 50 NBA games.