The stat line for Bryce McGowens’ in the New Orleans Pelicans’ first game after the All-Star break went something like this Friday night.

Ten points.

Two steals.

One rebound.

And a whole lot of thank-you’s.

McGowens, who had played all season as a 2-way player, was given a standard NBA contract Friday prior to the Pelicans’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I was kinda speechless,” McGowens said. “Just the course of the year has been a heavy grind, day in and day it. Just sticking to the routine and competing any chance I get. I just thanked the Lord about a thousand times.”

McGowens is in his first season in New Orleans after playing his first two NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Pelicans signed him during the offseason. The signing itself didn’t garner many headlines, but McGowens has made sure the coaching staff noticed him. He’s averaging 7.9 points and 1.9 rebounds this season, including a career-best 23 points in games against the Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s played in more games (34) this season than the total minutes (31) he played all last season with the Blazers. Most of his time last season was with the Rip City Remix, the Blazers’ G-League affiliate. But this year he didn’t spend any time playing with the Birmingham Squadron, the Pels’ G-Leage affiliate. He’s been in New Orleans all season long, giving him a chance to mesh with his teammates.

“It’s a big accomplishment for him to come in here and battle his way and play as well as he has,” said Pelicans’ interim head coach James Borrego. “He’s earned it. Bottom line. Credit to him. He’s busted his tail from Day One.”

The open roster spot became available when the Pelicans traded Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks. The Pelicans received Dalen Terry, but waived him the next day, opening a spot for McGowens. It validated McGowens’ decision to sign with the Pelicans.

“I trusted myself and thought I’d fit well here,” McGowens said. “I just trusted my work.”

McGowens’ rookie season in Charlotte was right after Borrego was fired by the Hornets. So the two of them hadn’t worked together prior to this season. But Borrego was familiar with McGowens’ game.

“I’ve had my eye on him for a while,” Borrego said. “Early on you could see something in him. I’ve always liked him from afar. Just his energy every day. He’s a pro. He’s a winner and I believe in him.”

But more importantly, McGowens believes in himself.

His scoring , field goal percentage (47.5 %) and 3-point shooting percentage (43.3 %) are the highest of his career. He has started 13 games, including Friday’s loss to the Bucks on the day the Pelicans converted his 2-way contract. McGowens had to turn his cell phone off because he was getting bombarded with so many messages from friends and family members.

“I’ve got a lot of messages to get to,” McGowens said.

McGowens followed up Friday’s game with a solid performance in Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He came off the bench and finished with 13 points, knocking down three of his four 3-pointers.

His goals for the rest of the season?

“Continue to grow my all-around game,” McGowens said. “On the defensive end and leading into next year, trying to be a staple on defense to help us win games.”