Pelicans Sign Bryce McGowens to Two-Way Deal

Bryce McGowens, a former Nebraska basketball star, has signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking his third NBA team since being drafted in 2022. McGowens spent his first three NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers, where he showed promise, especially in the G League, averaging 29.3 points per game before a season-ending rib fracture. During his time with the Hornets, he earned a multi-year standard contract and averaged 5.2 points per game over 105 contests but had limited playing time with Portland, appearing in just 13 NBA games last season. At Nebraska, McGowens was the program's first five-star recruit and earned All-Big Ten honors, leading conference freshmen in scoring. Now 22 years old, McGowens will compete with other two-way players like Trey Alexander and Micah Peavy for a roster spot, with expectations that he may spend significant time in the G League due to the Pelicans' depth at wing positions.