Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Monday that Missi (back) will be ready for training camp, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.
Missi battled some minor back soreness during Summer League, but it was never expected to linger into training camp. The 21st overall pick in this year's draft, Missi has a massive opportunity to play meaningful minutes for the Pelicans due to their lack of frontcourt depth after the departure of Jonas Valanciunas.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Battling back soreness
Rotowire
Missi won't play in Saturday's Summer League game against the Nuggets due to lower back soreness, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Missi won't suit up for the Pelicans' final Summer League contest as he tends to pain in his lower back. The 20-year-old flashed some of the rim protection and athleticism in Las Vegas that coaxed the Pelicans into selecting him with the 21st overall pick in this year's draft. He should be ready to go for training camp.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Scores 11 points with three blocks
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Missi went 5-of-8 from the floor and 1-of-2 at the line Thursday, tallying 11 points, six rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one turnover across 30 minutes in an exhibition loss to Memphis.
Missi hadn't been terribly impressive through his first three outings in Las Vegas, but he showed some promise Thursday with his instincts as a rim defender. He also exhibited some nice footwork in the post. Missi is an impressive athlete, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of role he can earn in New Orleans during his rookie season.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Drafted 21st by New Orleans
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Missi was selected with the No. 21 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Pelicans.
With Jonas Valanciunas a pending free agent, adding a center was toward the top of the Pelicans' wish list this offseason. They'll fill that hole with Missi, who's a very intriguing prospect at 20 years of age out of Baylor. He's 6-foot-11 with a long wingspan, a good mover and a true rim runner. Missi's a high quality rim protector -- putting up 1.5 blocks per game over 23.0 minutes without fouling out once in 34 games -- and a strong offensive rebounder. If Valanciunas walks, Missi could have a role in the Pelicans' frontcourt as a rookie.