New Orleans Pelicans first-year coach Jamahl Mosley is starting his tenure on the precise foot.
On Saturday, Hoops Hype insider Michael Scotto reported that the Pelicans have employed famend assistant God Shammgod as Mosley’s high lieutenant, a big win for a franchise in determined want of 1 after a disastrous 2025-26 season.
Shammgod is most well-known for his signature transfer that bears his identify, however he is additionally turn into one of many league’s finest developmental coaches, together with working intently with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic when each had been members of the Dallas Mavericks.
His hiring must be a big enhance for Pelicans 2025-26 All-Rookie second-team guard Jeremiah Fears and ahead Derik Queen as each look to make a second-year leap.
God Shammgod’s hiring an important signal for Pelicans 2025-26 rookies Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen
Initially becoming a member of the Mavericks in July 2016, Shammgod was employed as assistant of participant growth and had later developed a powerful rapport with Doncic as he turned one of many league’s finest gamers.
Final offseason, Shammgod left the Mavericks to affix Mosley’s Orlando Magic and had a serious impression on 2023 No. 6 general choose Anthony Black’s breakout season. The third-year guard averaged career-highs in factors (15) and assists (3.7) per recreation this previous season. Throughout Orlando’s journey abroad in the course of the common season, Black, who averaged 7.2 factors per recreation over his first two seasons, spoke with reporters about his coach’s impression on his improved play.
“My taking pictures off the dribble, taking part in one-on-one. Simply totally different strikes that, , I can go to in distinction situations,” Black mentioned. “Simply issues which can be pure to me.
“He appeared on the manner I play and the way in which I transfer and added only a couple counters.”
Added Shammgod:
“I am comfortable for him. As a result of, like, on the finish of the day, I am unable to pull one thing out of him that is not in him. So the greatness was his already. It is simply me serving to him.”
If Shammgod can have an identical impression on Fears and Queen, New Orleans’ future will look a lot brighter briefly order.
Each confirmed promise throughout an in any other case misplaced 26-56 season, with Fears, chosen No. 7 general in final 12 months’s draft, showing in all 82 video games and averaging 14.3 factors and three.4 assists per recreation. Queen, chosen No. 13 general following a controversial commerce with the Atlanta Hawks, showcased a powerful all-around recreation as one among simply 4 rookies to file a triple-double in 2025-26 and the one to take action greater than as soon as, per Stathead. On Dec. 8, 2025, he turned just the fifth rookie this century to have a 30-point triple-double, becoming a member of Doncic, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin and Austin Reaves.
The 2 struggled, nevertheless (as did the Pels as a workforce), ending on the rim. Per Cleaning The Glass, regardless of New Orleans making an attempt a league-high 41.8 % of its area aim makes an attempt on the rim, it shot simply 63.9 % on these tries, the league’s second-worst price. Fears ranked within the 96th percentile amongst level guards in rim makes an attempt however made them at a 56.7 % clip, which ranked within the twenty sixth percentile. Queen completed within the twentieth percentile amongst bigs in taking pictures share on the rim (60.1 %) regardless of over his half of his makes an attempt coming inside 4 ft of the basket.
Beneath Shammgod’s tutelage, Fears and Queen could turn into stronger finishers, permitting every to maximise their potential. Whereas the Pelicans have a protracted solution to go to competing with the West’s finest, luring Shammgod ought to solely assist to bridge the hole. He is confirmed to be among the many league’s high developmental coaches through the years, and the younger Pels stars would be the subsequent to learn from his steering.
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