It’s been nearly a full year since he last played in a basketball game, perhaps making it easy to forget that EJ Liddell was regarded by numerous analysts as a potential “steal” in the 2022 NBA Draft. Sports Illustrated cited the No. 41 overall pick on its list of top draft sleepers, noting of the Ohio State product, “don’t be stunned if he impacts winning from Day 1 in New Orleans.” Meanwhile, CBSSports.com declared that “snagging Liddell in the second round is a huge win, since most evaluators had him going in the first round” and the New York Post declared “nabbing Liddell at No. 41 is a steal.”
Unfortunately, the Illinois native never got to show what impact he might be able to make as an NBA rookie, because he sustained a season-ending right knee ACL injury during Game 2 of summer league last July vs. Atlanta. He spent the entire 2022-23 campaign recovering from and rehabilitating the significant injury.
Three-hundred sixty-one days after he was helped off the floor in Las Vegas against the Hawks, he’ll return to game action Friday vs. Minnesota (3:30 p.m. Central, Pelicans.com, Pelicans app, NBA TV). The first game of the NBA Summer League docket will serve as the next step for the Ohio State product in returning to being the player who received positive draft reviews.
“There are a little nerves, but I’m excited,” a smiling Liddell said of his anticipation to play a basketball game after an extended layoff. “I’ve got to build that confidence back up, going in the lane, playing in traffic (around other bodies). That’s normal coming off an injury. It’s a learning curve. If I do something once, I feel comfortable doing it again.”
EJ Liddell talks recovery process | 2023 NBA Summer League
Pelicans summer head coach Casey Hill recently emphasized to Liddell the importance of not expecting everything to happen immediately in terms of the forward’s overall progress.
“I told him, ‘What you’ve been through, not a whole lot of people have done it,” Hill said of being sidelined for nearly a year by injury. “ ‘It’s important to recognize the patience you need to enter this into for yourself. We’re all going to be very patient with you.’ He’s been unbelievable. He’s worked his tail off, to get back to where he is right now. Confidence-wise, I’d say he’s probably at about 85 percent and growing from there. The goal is to allow him to get back to the way he needs to feel, so he can continue to attack his early career.”
Short-term, Liddell wants to show elements of his skill set that could give him a chance to log minutes for New Orleans in 2023-24. Asked what he hopes to demonstrate in summer league, the 22-year-old responded, “Being able to shoot the ball at a high clip and also (defending individually). In Vegas I don’t know if I’m going to show my full arsenal yet, but I’m going to do what I can.”
Pelicans Summer League head coach Casey Hill talks prep | 2023 NBA Summer League
For a range of reasons, his teammates are excited to see Liddell’s impact.
“He’s handling the ball more, his shot is getting better,” said guard Dereon Seabron, who’s been working alongside Liddell all summer at the Pelicans’ practice facility in Metairie.
“I’ve seen this guy in the gym every day,” said Liddell’s fellow 2022 draftee Dyson Daniels, a guard who was selected eighth overall. “First one in the gym, trying to get healthy. He’s got his athleticism back, his feel back. I’m looking forward to seeing him out there on the floor.”