The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Jaron Pierre Jr. in the 2nd round of the 2026 NBA Draft.Pierre is a New Orleans native and St. Augustine High School graduate who most recently was a star for the SMU Mustangs.SMU was the fourth college that the 6’5 combo guard attended. He started at Southern Miss and then sent one season at Wichita State, Jacksonville State and finally SMU. Pierre Jr., 6-5, 210, spent the 2025-26 season at Southern Methodist University where he appeared in 34 games (32 starts), averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game, garnering All-ACC Honorable Mention and NABC All-Gulf District Second Team Recognition. Prior to transferring to SMU, Pierre played one season at Jacksonville State (2024-25) where he earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors after averaging 21.6 points (ranked 1st in C-USA; 4th in NCAA), 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 36 games (all starts).Pierre Jr. previously spent the 2022-23 season at Wichita State, appearing in 31 games (22 starts) and averaging 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He began his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi where he played two seasons (2020-22) for the Golden Eagles, where he was named to Conference USA’s All-Freshman Team in 2020-21 after posting season averages of 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 24 games (16 starts). Analysis from www.nba.com:AnalysisPierre’s calling card is his scoring. He attacks the rim with a sturdy frame that lets him absorb contact and finish through traffic. Defenses need to guard him from deep as well, where he’s an excellent catch-and-shoot option. The wing is explosive in the open floor, racing ahead in transition and finishing above the rim. As a passer, he flashed enough vision as a secondary creator to suggest a fuller combo-guard role is within reach. He’s also not shy about doing the dirty work, crashing the glass at his position and showing the physical tools and motor to keep growing on defense.ProjectionPierre projects as a downhill, three-level scorer – a combo guard/forward a team can turn to for instant offense off the bench. His shotmaking and athleticism are NBA-ready, and his frame for the position gives him a path to guard multiple spots as he sharpens that end of the floor. Comparisons include Tim Hardaway Jr., Victor Oladipo and Terrence Ross.

METAIRIE, La. —

The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Jaron Pierre Jr. in the 2nd round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

Pierre is a New Orleans native and St. Augustine High School graduate who most recently was a star for the SMU Mustangs.

SMU was the fourth college that the 6’5 combo guard attended. He started at Southern Miss and then sent one season at Wichita State, Jacksonville State and finally SMU.

Pierre Jr., 6-5, 210, spent the 2025-26 season at Southern Methodist University where he appeared in 34 games (32 starts), averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game, garnering All-ACC Honorable Mention and NABC All-Gulf District Second Team Recognition.

Prior to transferring to SMU, Pierre played one season at Jacksonville State (2024-25) where he earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors after averaging 21.6 points (ranked 1st in C-USA; 4th in NCAA), 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 36 games (all starts).

Pierre Jr. previously spent the 2022-23 season at Wichita State, appearing in 31 games (22 starts) and averaging 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He began his collegiate career at Southern Mississippi where he played two seasons (2020-22) for the Golden Eagles, where he was named to Conference USA’s All-Freshman Team in 2020-21 after posting season averages of 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 24 games (16 starts).

Analysis from www.nba.com:

Analysis
Pierre’s calling card is his scoring. He attacks the rim with a sturdy frame that lets him absorb contact and finish through traffic. Defenses need to guard him from deep as well, where he’s an excellent catch-and-shoot option. The wing is explosive in the open floor, racing ahead in transition and finishing above the rim. As a passer, he flashed enough vision as a secondary creator to suggest a fuller combo-guard role is within reach. He’s also not shy about doing the dirty work, crashing the glass at his position and showing the physical tools and motor to keep growing on defense.

Projection
Pierre projects as a downhill, three-level scorer – a combo guard/forward a team can turn to for instant offense off the bench. His shotmaking and athleticism are NBA-ready, and his frame for the position gives him a path to guard multiple spots as he sharpens that end of the floor. Comparisons include Tim Hardaway Jr., Victor Oladipo and Terrence Ross.