As the New Orleans Pelicans prepared for the 2015-16 NBA season this month in Metairie, 30-year-old guard Bo McCalebb worked out regularly in a gym only a few miles away, on the campus of the University of New Orleans, where he’d been a standout college player. Little did McCalebb know that he would soon receive a call to join the Pelicans on the other side of the Crescent City.
On Thursday, amid several recent backcourt injuries, New Orleans announced that it had signed McCalebb, who ranks 24th in scoring all-time among NCAA Division I players. He scored a total of 2,679 points, placing him just above Hall of Fame center David Robinson, who tallied 2,669 career points at Navy. Since college, McCalebb has excelled professionally in international basketball leagues.
Dating back to the start of the New Orleans franchise record books in 2002-03, only one player (Linton Johnson of Tulane) has ever suited up for one of the city’s colleges and the local NBA team. McCalebb is also a native, having been born in the Big Easy in 1985.
“It’s a dream come true,” McCalebb said. “First to get contacted by the NBA, but then on top of that, by your home team. I’m just thankful for the opportunity and will try to make the best of it. It’s a great opportunity.
“I’m a hometown team (guy). I like the Saints, I like the Pelicans. I watch their games all the time on TV. Now I’ve got a chance to play with them, so I’m very thankful.”
The Pelicans have sustained multiple injuries at point guard and are limiting Jrue Holiday (leg) to just 10 minutes per game in preseason, so even though McCalebb just signed, there’s a chance he’ll quickly get on the floor Saturday vs. Sacramento.
“Obviously we’ve got some guys hurt and out,” Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry said. “We needed to sign a point guard with Jrue on limited minutes, and obviously now with Tyreke (Evans) and his situation (Evans’ status is expected to be updated today). We’ve been looking at some tape (of McCalebb) from overseas. His style of play is pretty similar to what we want to try to do, so we said why not give him an opportunity?”
The 6-foot McCalebb, who averaged 20.9 points per game in college with the Privateers, is a quick guard with adept ballhandling skills. He could be a good fit in Gentry’s up-tempo, fast-paced offense.
“He has the ability to push the basketball and get the ball in the paint – that’s what he’s done his whole career,” Gentry said. “Penetrate and pitch situations is kind of what we need from our guards anyway. We’ll take a look and see if there’s a possibility that he could help our team.”