Bryson Graham, the New Orleans Pelicans’ newly appointed general manager, first saw Yves Missi play at one of Baylor’s practices in October.
Graham thought the way the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Missi moved at his size was special. He took a mental note.
“He was probably one of the more athletic players I had seen at his size in practice,” Graham said. “The way he moved on the floor. His instincts defensively were incredible. He continued to get better and better as the year went along.”
In the first round of the draft Wednesday, the Pelicans snapped up Missi with the 21st pick. Missi will add depth at the center spot. In time, the Pelicans are hopeful the 20-year-old Cameroonian can become the type of defensive player who can slow perimeter players and affect shots inside.
“I can switch onto a guard or be in drop coverage,” Missi said. “I am someone who can help on defense. Being able to switch on a guard. Someone who crashes the glass all the time. A good shot blocker. Someone who plays hard, with energy.”
The Pelicans have cycled through a handful of centers over the past five years. They signed Derrick Favors as a free agent in 2019. Then, they traded for Steven Adams in 2020.
In 2021, the Pelicans swapped Adams for Jonas Valanciunas in a trade with the division rival Memphis Grizzlies. Valanciunas was productive and consistently available for New Orleans over the past three years. But in crunch time, coach Willie Green often opted to play backup Larry Nance Jr. instead.
The Pelicans’ coaching greatly values mobility at the center spot. Missi fits that description.
“Coach Green loves players that can switch defensively and put pressure on the rim coming out of pick and rolls,” Graham said. “Being able to free up the weak side of the floor is something we can incorporate into our offense.”
With the 47th pick in the second round Thursday, the Pelicans chose Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves. Reeves spent the final two seasons of his college career at Kentucky. He averaged 20.2 points last season. He shot a scorching 44.7% from 3-point territory on nearly six attempts per game.
“I always had it (shooting) when I was younger,” Reeves said. “Of course I worked on it over the years. Who I would say I shoot like in the NBA? I would say someone like Reggie Miller. I’ve give it to Reggie Miller.”
Two of the guards Reeves played with at Kentucky were chosen in the lottery. The Houston Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard No. 3 overall. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded up the No. 8 spot to take Rob Dillingham. Reeves said there were often shooting competitions between the Wildcats guards in the year they overlapped in Lexington, Kentucky.
“Hard work every day,” Reeves said. “Competitive. We had shooting competitions all the time. One-on-one sometimes as well. That’s how we got better as basketball players.”
Missi and Reeves are joining a Pelicans team that is on the way up. New Orleans won 49 games last season. Executive vice president David Griffin has vowed to be “aggressive” this summer to ensure the Pelicans keep pace in the competitive Western Conference.
“It’s amazing," Missi said. "I feel like each year I got better. Just being here in the NBA and being able to grow, it’s amazing.”