In this Oct. 3, 2015, file photo, New Orleans Pelicans’ Bryce Dejean-Jones (31) drives the ball around the defense of Indiana Pacers’ Rodney Stuckey (2) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. Police say Saturday, May 28, 2016, Dejean-Jones was fatally shot after breaking down the door to a Dallas apartment. Sr. Cpl. DeMarquis Black said in a statement that officers were called early Saturday morning and found the 23-year-old player collapsed in an outdoor passageway. He was taken to a hospital where he died. AP
DALLAS, United States — New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones was fatally shot after breaking down the door to a Dallas apartment, authorities said Saturday.
A man living at the apartment was sleeping when he heard his front door kicked open, Dallas Police Senior Cpl. DeMarquis Black said in a statement. When Dejean-Jones began kicking at the bedroom door, the man retrieved a handgun and fired.
Officers who responded found Dejean-Jones collapsed in an outdoor passageway, and he later died at a hospital. He was 23.
“We are devastated at the loss of this young man’s life,” the Pelicans said in a statement.
It is legal in Texas for someone to use deadly force in order to protect themselves from intruders.
“I just lost my best friend/cousin last night enjoy life because you never know if tomorrow is guaranteed,” Shabazz Muhammad of the Minnesota Timberwolves wrote on Twitter.
In Dejean-Jones’ only NBA season, which ended in February because of a broken right wrist, the 6-foot-6 guard started 11 of 14 games and averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called it a “tragic loss.”
“Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his journey to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league,” Silver said in a statement issued Saturday.
Dejean-Jones was part of the 2014-15 Iowa State team that went 25-9, captured a Big 12 title and made a fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. He was fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 10.5 points in 33 games. He shot a career-best 47.6 percent in his lone season as a Cyclone. He also played at Southern California and UNLV.
“This is a very, very sad and tragic day for everyone that’s a part of the Cyclone basketball family,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said.
Former Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg, now the coach of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, added in a statement that Dejean-Jones was a “passionate and talented player that lived out his dream of playing in the NBA through hard work and perseverance.”
Besides Muhammad, several NBA players reacted on Twitter on Saturday.
“Crazy how life is man,” wrote Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin. “Prayers out to Bryce Dejean Jones and his family.”
Added Quincy Pondexter, one of Dejean-Jones’ teammates with the Pelicans: “This Can’t be real life… Rest easy lil bro.”