:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49724159/usa-today-9106057.0.jpg)
I don't know Bryce Dejean-Jones. I only really know him from my NBA Draft big board excel file. I don't remember seeing any of his 279 minutes in the NBA last season, his rookie year. But I do know that outside of being an NBA fan that this is a tragic story. Yes, the New Orleans Pelicans continue to have the absolute worst luck, but former Utah Jazz player, and current Pelicans insider / TV personality Stephen Howard is a lot closer to this situation. And he has a much better way of putting it in context compared to the sterile way the NBA's commissioner Adam Silver did:
Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones pic.twitter.com/AwP1EqPwd4
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2016
As Howard explains:
#RIP Bryce Dejean Jones. I always pull for guys who make it bc of their resilience. Sad day. Prayers to his family. #NBA #PelicansNBA
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
Just not a good day.
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
Bryce Dejean-Jones was in Dallas where his girlfriend lives for the 1st birthday of his child, source. #PelicansNBA #NBA
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
Apparently Bryce Dejean-Jones got into an argument with his girlfriend & she locked him out of her apartment, source. #PelicansNBA #NBA
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
Unfortunately, Bryce Dejean-Jones went into the wrong apartment where he was shot in the abdomen.
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
This is all so sad not only for his family but the child.
— Stephen Howard (@Stephen_Speaks) May 28, 2016
As someone who fell in love with a volatile person I understand how seemingly resolvable situations can escalate. We do not have all of the details and we never will. It's sad when a 23 year old father (who as an NBA player would have had the ability to absolutely give his child massive advantages in life) is killed -- and that child will now be without. I don't know what's up with anything else here. But it's sad for his parents, his friends, his family, his fans, and of course, his teammates.
Be safe everyone. Be smart. But be together. Life is remarkably volatile and finite.