Former Alabama basketball standout has finally secured a life-changing NBA contract with the New Orleans franchise after years of relentless grind, setbacks, and unshakable perseverance. This moment wasn’t handed to him—it was earned through countless hours in the gym, long nights chasing a dream that seemed just out of reach, and an unwavering belief in himself even when the spotlight wasn’t on him. From college promise to professional persistence, his journey has come full circle with this new deal, proving that determination and heart can turn a long shot into a long-term opportunity at the next level.
He came to Tuscaloosa as a player full of potential, a prospect with the kind of raw talent that could shift the tide of a program. Over his years at Alabama, he showed flashes of brilliance—stretches where you could see what he might one day become. But the road to the NBA isn’t a straight shot, even for the most gifted. And for this former Alabama basketball star, the journey was anything but easy. It took years of work behind the scenes, endless workouts when no one was watching, and a relentless determination to chase a dream that at times seemed to drift farther and farther away. Now, after all the trials and detours, he’s signed a life-changing deal with the New Orleans franchise, a testament not just to his talent, but to the resolve and belief it takes to endure.
From the moment he declared for the NBA Draft, he knew it wouldn’t be simple. His game was solid—he could shoot, defend, run the floor—but the NBA is filled with players who check those same boxes. He wasn’t a lottery pick, and he didn’t hear his name called in the first round. That night, like so many others who go undrafted or slip past the early selections, he faced a choice: let disappointment set in or get back to work. He chose the latter. And from that point forward, every day became another chapter in the story of a player who wouldn’t quit.
He bounced around for a while, grabbing summer league spots where he could, impressing scouts in spurts, earning two-way contracts, and spending time in the G-League, where the dream of the NBA is close enough to touch but often still out of reach. Those seasons weren’t glamorous. There were long road trips on buses, small crowds in half-filled gyms, and the constant pressure of needing to prove yourself every night just to stay in the conversation. But for this player, the grind was fuel. He treated every opportunity as if it were his last, because in a way, each one might’ve been.
What set him apart during these years wasn’t just his play—it was his mindset. Coaches noticed that. Teammates felt that. There was a fire in him that didn’t fade with time, and if anything, burned brighter the longer he was overlooked. He developed his body, honed his skills, became more vocal as a leader. He played defense with energy and hit shots in clutch moments. He added weight where needed, trimmed where necessary, and embraced his role on whatever team he landed with. Some players falter in this phase, frustrated by a lack of progress or recognition. But not him. He embraced the hustle, because he knew what he was working toward.
Then came the breakthrough. It didn’t happen overnight, but it started to build. First came a call-up, then a few minutes off the bench in a real NBA game. He didn’t try to do too much—he defended, moved without the ball, passed when he needed to, and knocked down open looks. Slowly but surely, he began to earn trust. And with trust comes opportunity. The minutes got longer, the leash got looser, and soon he was being asked to play in crunch time, guarding some of the best players in the world, making smart plays, and showing he belonged.
The New Orleans organization had been watching. They’d seen his growth, both as a player and a professional. They valued not only what he brought to the court, but what he added to the locker room—a work ethic that raised the standard, a humility that kept egos in check, and a competitive fire that pushed others to match his energy. In today’s NBA, those intangibles matter. And so, when the opportunity came to add him to their roster in a bigger way, they didn’t hesitate.
The contract is more than just money—though the financial impact is undeniably transformative. It’s validation. It’s recognition. It’s the league saying: we see you, we respect the path you’ve taken, and we want you here for the long haul. For a player who once faced the very real possibility of falling out of professional basketball entirely, it’s hard to put into words what this means. But if you ask him, he’d likely say the work isn’t done. Because that’s the kind of player he is.
Back in Alabama, fans have followed his journey with pride. He wore the Crimson Tide jersey with honor and helped elevate the program during his time there. Now, seeing one of their own thrive at the highest level is a moment of celebration—not just for him, but for every coach, teammate, and fan who believed in him along the way. It also serves as a powerful message to current players: that the road might be long, the setbacks may be frustrating, but persistence pays off.
He has always carried himself with quiet confidence. Not boastful, not loud—just focused. Even now, with the ink still drying on his new deal, he’s not interested in parades or headlines. He’s thinking about training camp, about fitting into the system, about helping New Orleans win. He’s the type who knows the spotlight can be fleeting, and the only way to keep it is to keep improving. So he’s already looking at film, analyzing his matchups, studying his teammates’ tendencies. Because for him, this moment isn’t the finish line—it’s the start of something bigger.
What makes this story resonate is that it’s not just about basketball. It’s about perseverance. It’s about betting on yourself when few others will. It’s about getting knocked down and choosing to get up again and again, even when nobody’s watching. And now, after all the years of grinding in anonymity, he finally has the stage he’s earned. Not because he was the flashiest. Not because he had the highest vertical or the biggest hype. But because he never stopped.
This is a win for every underdog, for every player still in the G-League fighting for a shot, for every young athlete who’s been told they’re too small or not quite good enough. It’s proof that the NBA isn’t just for the chosen few—it’s for those who refuse to quit, who keep showing up, who believe in their journey even when the path isn’t clear. His deal with New Orleans isn’t just a contract; it’s a symbol of what’s possible.
In time, he’ll look back at all the detours—the summer leagues, the cuts, the rejections—and he’ll see them not as failures but as building blocks. Every setback sharpened his focus. Every disappointment added to his toughness. And every small win kept him moving forward. That’s the blueprint for making it, and it’s a story that deserves to be told.
Fans in New Orleans are getting more than just a solid player. They’re getting someone who knows what it means to earn his place. Someone who won’t take a second of court time for granted. Someone who understands that the NBA is a privilege, not a promise. And someone who’s ready to prove that what he brings can help a team compete—not just on paper, but where it counts.
As the next NBA season approaches, he’ll be ready. He’ll show up early, stay late, and bring the same energy that got him here in the first place. Because that’s who he is. A fighter. A worker. A pro.
And now, finally, a fully-fledged NBA player.
