Now in his fourth season as a pro, Naji Marshall’s path to the NBA was anything but conventional. The Xavier (Ohio) product went undrafted in 2020, then signed a two-way G League contract with New Orleans. He proceeded to become the first Pelicans player on that kind of deal to make a major impact in the Crescent City, including starting 10 games during the latter half of the 2020-21 regular season. Marshall lists that eventful background as one of the top highlights for him since coming to the NBA, as he described recently to Pelicans.com:
Most memorable moment in the NBA: “My journey. Going from a two-way contract and undrafted to a rotation guy. Even starting sometimes. It’s been unbelievable. It may not be perfect, but a lot of people who have NBA aspirations may have to be on this journey. Two-way (contracts are) fairly new, so to be one of the first to do that makes me happy.”
Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “The steal and fast-break dunk I had against Phoenix in the playoffs (at the end of Game 4 in New Orleans, pictured above). I had just dreamed of that moment. Being ahead at the end in a game that matters, it was something I dreamt of as a kid.”
Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “When Jaylen Brown made me fall on defense. I haven’t been crossed or dunked on that much, knock on wood, but that was pretty bad for me.”
Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “How unbelievably good players are. In college, you might leave someone open by messing up your defense, but six or seven times out of 10, the (opposing) guy will miss the shot. Here in the NBA, nine times out of 10, they’re going to make it. People here are unbelievably strong, they can finish, they can pass. There is so much attention to detail.”
Welcome to the NBA moment: “I checked into a game and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were on the court at the same time (for Brooklyn). I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I’ll never get starstruck but I was that game for sure.”
Toughest players to face at his position: “Anthony Edwards, Desmond Bane, Khris Middleton, DeMar DeRozan, Jayson Tatum.”
Most underrated players in the NBA: “Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, Josh Giddey.”
Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “I like Washington’s jerseys, but the old-school ones, not the (current) red and blue. The ones from when they were first called the Wizards. They were blue, black and gold.”
Favorite road arena: “I’ve got a lot. I love Detroit, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia. But my favorite one is Barclays (Center) in Brooklyn. I love the energy in stadiums and I like it when I feel like the crowd is on top of me.”
Favorite road trip, based on the city: “Los Angeles, because we are (often) out there for (multiple) days. I also like the New York trips, Washington, Philly.”