Bryce McGowens played a total of 31 minutes all last season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

He spent more of that season with the Rip City Remix, the Blazers’ G-League affiliate.

So who can really blame you if you didn’t even notice when the Pelicans signed McGowens to a 2-way contract in late July.

The 6-foot-6 guard is starting to make people take notice. He’s now contributing big minutes for the struggling Pelicans.

He tied a career-high with 23 points in Thursday’s victory over the Blazers, showing his old team what they are now missing out on.

“It was definitely huge beating my former team,” McGowens said. “Being with those group of guys for a year and coaching staff was definitely huge for me.”

McGowens went 5-for-5 on 3-pointers Thursday, also a career high for him in made 3-pointers. He also had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. He played 30 minutes, almost matching what he played all season last year. His biggest contributions came in the second half when he started in place of Herb Jones, who picked up two quick technical fouls and was ejected at the end of the first half. The Pels led 70-68 at the break, but outscored the Blazers 73-52 in the second half to pull away for an easy 143-120 victory.

“You lose Herb and you’re not sure where to go,” said Pelicans interim coach  James Borrego. “But Bryce has been steady all year. He’s earned these minutes. He’s not been given this time. He’s earned it. Every time he’s on the floor, good things happen.”

McGowens’s plus/minus was a team-best plus19.

Not bad for a guy nobody was talking about when the season began. He’s started five games and is averaging 8.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. Over the last six games, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

“Defensively, on the boards and in transition, you can just see his numbers are significant when he’s on the floor for us,” Borrego said. “Transition offense takes a significant turn. I’m just proud of him. He just shows up every day and works and does his job. He stays ready. Great competitor. Really proud of him stepping in for Herb tonight. Those were some big shoes to fill.”

McGowens wasn’t sure what his role would be when he got to New Orleans, his third team in four years. But he appreciates the opportunity he’s been given.

“I’m super blessed to be in this position of being in an organization that believes and trusts and puts me in situations,” McGowens said. “It feels good. I work hard. The coaches know me. My job is to get after it and do whatever the team needs me to do so we can win.”

McGowens was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school. He originally committed to Florida State, but changed his mind and went to Nebraska so he could play with his brother. McGowens was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft.

He got to Charlotte right after Borrego was fired from the Hornets, so Borrego had never worked with him before this season. Borrego has been pleasantly surprised.

“I don’t think anybody saw him playing these (many) minutes,” Borrego said. “… I’ve always liked him from afar. But give our front office credit. They found this kid and believed in him and he’s made the most of his opportunity.”

McGowens’ new teammates like what they have seen thus far.

“Bryce has been playing amazing,” said Jordan Poole. “A midwest (college) guy who played in the Big 10, so I did my homework. He has such a calm demeanor and just plays the right way. Extremely talented. You can trust him to go out there and do his thing and not have to do too much but be aggressive enough to make an impact. That’s hard to teach.”

McGowens is the latest gem in what has been a promising core of newcomers for Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver. They hit on all three draft picks in Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Micah Peavy. The trade that brought Poole and Saddiq Bey has looked like a win as well. Now add McGowens to the mix. Less than 30 games in and he’s been better than most people would have ever guessed.

“My expectations were to come in here and work and let the chips fall where they fall,” McGowens said. “Compete every day and give them a reason to put you on the floor. That’s been my mindset since I stepped foot here.”