Trevon Bluiett Has Signed with the New Orleans Pelicans
LAS VEGAS -- Trevon Bluiett expected plenty of new experiences while making his first foray into professional basketball at the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League. One difference from his days at Xavier surely surprised his basketball norm: Open shots. That’s what happens when joining an entire roster filled with talented professional hooping hopefuls.
Then that difference evaporated as did room to roam on the court. Bluiett had nobody to blame but himself – and his jump shot.
The three-time, All-BIG EAST First Team performer known for getting buckets in bunches during his four seasons with the Musketeers didn’t arrive steps away from the famed Las Vegas Strip as a headliner. Despite his starry college career, Bluiett wasn’t selected in last month’s NBA Draft. The 6-5 guard latched on with the New Orleans Pelicans’ entry. He arrived on the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus, site of the annual NBA Summer League, with skills, determination and a winning approach. Then Blueitt put all on display – and secured an NBA job.
Xavier’s leading man came off the bench in the Pelicans’ Summer League opener on July 6 against Toronto – and scored a game-high 24 points in only 19 minutes. Sinking 6-of-8 3-pointers fueled the incredible per-minute scoring efficiency and a 90-77 win for the Pelicans.
The next game came the next day and, despite the impossible standard, Bluiett’s game went next level. He finished with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, in 21 minutes as New Orleans stomped the Miami Heat 110-84.
By the time New Orleans took the court for its third game on July 9 against the Detroit Pistons, the opposing scouting report had changed.
“Their goal was to take (away Trevon’s) shots,” Pelicans Summer League coach Kevin Hanson said.
Such focus was the norm with Xavier, not that it mattered. Bluiett finished among the program’s all-time scorers with 2,261 points and sank 41.7 percent of his 3-pointers during his senior season. His initial Summer League opponents didn’t get that memo, so Bluiett took advantage.
“When you’re playing with a whole bunch of threats on the court, there’s bigger spacing on the court, and that makes it easier for me,” he told BIGEAST.com. “Being the guy in college who was the main guy everyone looked out for, now I am able to be sneaky, get open shots when I can and capitalize.”
Indeed. The buzz throughout the Summer League had Bluiett putting himself in position for a two-way contract. The option, established for the first time last season, allows teams extra roster flexibility by maintaining rights for two players who can toggle between the NBA and G-League level during the season. The team he played for in Las Vegas took notice. New Orleans reportedly inked Bluiett to a two-way contract Thursday.
“He’s been great overall,” Hanson said of Bluiett after the swingman had 13 points against the Pistons. “Obviously, his shot-making ability, something all NBA teams covet. …I think he’s shown he’s an NBA player. He defends. He competes, makes shots. There are things to work on, dribble stuff, but we like him.”
Whether other teams felt the same way entering the draft or not, nobody selected Bluiett. Beyond the stats and accolades at Xavier including Big East Freshman of the Year, he helped the Musketeers compile a 104-40 record, four NCAA Tournament appearances and a spot in the 2017 Elite Eight over his four years.
The length of time he spent in college likely played a part in going undrafted.
“It’s just the way it is. I feel like nowadays in this league it’s more about betting on potential. We’re in the era where one-and-done, two-and-done is hotter than being a four-year guy,” Bluiett said. “But the biggest thing with that is I just have to be consistent. That’s some adversity I have to fight through. It’s about how I handle it and react to it is what really matters.”
He deftly handled the oversight. Even if staying the four years allowed teams to nitpick Bluiett’s game, he believes sticking around served him well.
“It just helped me become a polished player,” Bluiett said. “There were still things I needed to learn. There are still things I do need to learn, but I think overall in that last year I learned some new things which I got to incorporate into my game and help shore up my weaknesses.”
Just as Bluiett was set to begin his postgame interview, an older gentleman with organizational sway pulled him aside for a private discussion. How much did Pelicans head Alvin Gentry watch the former Xavier star in college? Who knows, but he saw plenty in Las Vegas. Now Gentry wanted one-on-one time with the undrafted rookie who less than 72 hours became part of the Pelicans.
“Mainly I just showed them that I belong here, belong on the court,” Bluiett said of work in Las Vegas. “That I can make an impact on the court. But, ultimately that I play to win. That’s most important. They look for guys that come out and play to win. That’s the type of player I am and (what) I tried to showcase.”