Wikipedia

Norvel Pelle

Norvel Pelle Jr. (born February 3, 1993) is a Lebanese-Antiguan professional basketball player for Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League. A 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m), 231-pound (105 kg) center, he played at three different high schools in the Los Angeles area and was ranked as one of the top recruits in his class. He was prohibited from competing in college after failing to meet academic requirements, choosing to immediately turn professional in 2013.

Norvel Pelle
Pelle with Pallacanestro Varese in 2016
No. 14 – Beirut Club
PositionCenter
LeagueLebanese Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1993-02-03) February 3, 1993 (age 31)
St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
NationalityAmerican[1] / Antiguan / Lebanese
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school
NBA draft2014: undrafted
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2014Delaware 87ers
2014–2015Dacin Tigers
2015Delaware 87ers
2015–2016Homenetmen
2016–2018Varese
2018Auxilium Torino
2018–2019Delaware 87ers
2019Homenetmen
2019–2020Philadelphia 76ers
2019–2020→Delaware Blue Coats
2021Brooklyn Nets
2021Canton Charge
2021Sacramento Kings
2021New York Knicks
2021–2022Cleveland Charge
2022Utah Jazz
2022Cleveland Charge
2022–2023Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2023–2024Shahrdari Gorgan
2024–presentBeirut Club
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Pelle spent his rookie year with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League. He then moved to the Dacin Tigers in Taiwan, where he was named an All-Star, and returned to the 87ers at the end of the season. In 2015, Pelle joined Lebanese club Homenetmen Beirut, leading the league in blocks. In the next season, he began a two-year stint with Pallacanestro Varese in Italy, closing the 2017–18 season with Auxilium Torino. Pelle has played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.

He holds Antiguan, American, and Lebanese citizenship, and has experience with the Lebanon national basketball team.

Early life

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Pelle was born in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to Norvel Sr. and Darlene Pelle.[2][3] When Pelle was three years old, his family moved to Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, and when he was seven, they moved to United States for better work opportunities.[3] His father was a welder, while his mother managed the garden center at a Home Depot store.[3]

High school career

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In his freshman season, Pelle played basketball for Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, where he was touted as one of the top recruits in his class.[4] His school was located near his family's residence in Long Beach, California.[3] As a sophomore, Pelle transferred to Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, California, playing under head coach Duane Cooper.[5] After Cooper was dismissed from the team, Pelle revealed plans to move to a different high school program.[6] He moved to Frederick K. C. Price High School in Los Angeles but was sidelined for his junior season due to transfer rules. Despite his absence, the team won the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA championship, led by Allen Crabbe and Richard Solomon.[7] With three games left in his senior campaign, Pelle was averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game.[7]

In his high school career, Pelle was ranked as high as the No. 1 center in his class by recruiting service Rivals.[3] He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports.[8][9] Despite his success on the court, he struggled in the classroom, achieving only a 2.6 grade-point average and failing to meet college entrance exam requirements two times.[3] After joining St. John's at the NCAA Division I level, he was ruled ineligible for taking summer classes at Northeast Preparatory School in Philadelphia.[10] He decommitted from the program, signing a letter of intent with Iona, but was again ruled academically ineligible.[11] He then played for Los Angeles College Preparatory Academy.[12]

Professional career

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Delaware 87ers (2013–2014)

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After ultimately skipping college, Pelle entered the 2013 NBA draft, attempting to become the first draftee without college or international experience since 2005.[12] However, he withdrew days prior because of severe blisters and warts on his foot that had to be surgically removed.[13] Later in the year, he was selected as the sixth overall pick at the 2013 NBA Development League draft by the Delaware 87ers.[14] In the 2013–14 season with the 87ers, Pelle averaged 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game.[15] He scored a season-high 18 points on December 11, 2013, against the Idaho Stampede.[16]

Dacin Tigers (2014–2015)

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On July 29, 2014, Pelle signed with the Dacin Tigers of the Taiwanese Super Basketball League (SBL).[17] In 30 games with the team, he averaged 15.3 points and 14.2 rebounds.[18] Pelle had a notable performance in December 2014 versus Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Basketball, posting a double-double of 27 points and 26 rebounds.[19] He was named to the SBL All-Star Game and earned All-SBL honorable mention accolades from basketball website Asia-Basket.[20]

Return to the 87ers (2015)

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Pelle dunks for Pallacanestro Varese in May 2017

On March 10, 2015, Pelle returned to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League but played only four games in the 2014–15 season.[15] His best performance came on March 20 against the Erie BayHawks, recording 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.[21] He averaged 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.[15]

Homenetmen Beirut (2015–2016)

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On December 14, 2015, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League.[22] On January 20, 2016, Pelle only scored 3 points but grabbed 23 rebounds in a 96–88 win over the Al Moutahed.[23] After 32 games, he averaged 11.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and a league-high 2.9 blocks per game.[24]

Pelle joined the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) at the 2016 Orlando Pro Summer League.[15]

Varese (2016–2018)

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On July 28, 2016, Pelle signed a two-year contract with Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).[25] Upon his arrival, head coach Paolo Moretti said, "The qualities of Pelle that have most impressed me are his explosive strength, aggressiveness and athleticism."[25]

Pelle played for the Miami Heat at the 2017 NBA Summer League in both Orlando and Las Vegas.[15]

Auxilium Torino (2018)

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On February 13, 2018, Pelle signed with Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[26]

Delaware Blue Coats (2018–2019)

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After the season concluded, Pelle competed for the Philadelphia 76ers at 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game through five contests.[15] He later joined the 76ers for training camp.[27] On October 10, 2018, Pelle was waived.[28] He signed with the Delaware Blue Coats for their training camp roster.[29] On January 23, 2019, Pelle was suspended for five games without pay for violating the G League's Anti-Drug program.[30]

Homenetmen Beirut (2019)

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On March 30, 2019, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League for the remainder of the season.[31]

Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)

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On July 2, 2019, Pelle signed with the Philadelphia 76ers with a two-way contract.[32] On February 7, 2020, his deal was converted to a standard contract.[33]

Canton Charge (2021)

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On December 19, 2020, Pelle was signed and then waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers.[34][35]

On January 22, 2021, Pelle was included in roster of the Canton Charge.[36]

Brooklyn Nets (2021)

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On January 28, 2021, Pelle signed with the Brooklyn Nets,[37] but was later waived by the Nets on February 16 after appearing in three games.[38]

Return to the Charge (2021)

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Pelle was officially re-acquired by the Canton Charge on February 21, 2021.[39]

Sacramento Kings (2021)

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On February 25, 2021, Pelle signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings.[40]

New York Knicks (2021)

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On April 2, 2021, Pelle signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.[41] On April 12, he signed a second 10-day contract.[42] On April 22, Pelle signed a multi-year deal with the Knicks.[43] On July 31, the Knicks waived Pelle.[44]

Third stint with the Charge (2021)

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On November 15, 2021, Pelle signed with the Cleveland Charge as a returning player.[45]

On December 25, 2021, Pelle was signed to a 10-day contract by the Boston Celtics.[46] However, he never played a game for Boston.

Utah Jazz (2022)

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On January 7, 2022, the Utah Jazz signed Pelle to a 10-day contact.[47] He appeared in three games for the Jazz.

Fourth stint with the Charge (2022)

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On January 20, 2022, the Cleveland Charge announced that they reacquired Pelle after his 10-day contract with the Jazz finished.[48]

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2022–2023)

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On August 4, 2022, Pelle signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.[49] On September 4, 2022, Pelle was waived by the Trail Blazers.

On October 24, 2022, Pelle joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants training camp roster.[50]

On February 8, 2023, the Mad Ants' social media team, in response to a fan's comment on Facebook, stated Pelle had been away for "personal reasons", with him having last appeared in the Mad Ants' 124–116 victory over the Lakeland Magic on January 28, 2023.[51]

Shahrdari Gorgan (2023–2024)

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Pelle was traded to the Capitanes de Ciudad de México on February 14, 2023,[52] but didn't play for them. On September 8, he signed with Shahrdari Gorgan of the Iranian Basketball Super League.[53]

Beirut Club (2024–present)

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On July 19, 2024, Pelle signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.[54]

National team career

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Pelle is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Lebanon, and the United States but represents Lebanon at the international level.[55][56] He debuted for them at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, averaging 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, en route to a 6th-place finish.[15] Against the Philippines, he nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks.[57] He wears #12 in the Lebanese national team.

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Philadelphia 24 0 9.7 .521 .000 .500 3.0 .3 .1 1.3 2.4
2020–21 Brooklyn 3 0 9.3 .429 .000 .000 2.3 .0 .0 1.0 2.0
2020–21 Sacramento 1 0 4.0 .000 .000 .750 1.0 1.0 .0 .0 3.0
2020–21 New York 9 0 5.8 .714 .000 .500 1.2 .1 .1 .7 1.2
2021–22 Utah 3 0 6.3 .600 .000 .000 2.0 .0 .0 .3 2.0
Career 40 0 8.4 .529 .000 .550 2.4 .3 .1 1.0 2.1

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Philadelphia 1 0 6.5 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 1.0 1.0 .0
Career 1 0 6.5 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 1.0 1.0 .0

References

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  1. ^ "Norvel Pelle - Player Profile". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "Norvel Pelle". FIBA. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bolch, Ben (June 20, 2014). "Long Beach's Norvel Pelle keeps NBA dream alive as draft approaches". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  4. ^ "Back With A Purpose". Slam. June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  5. ^ "Duane Cooper is out at Dominguez; Norvel Pelle to transfer". Los Angeles Times. July 22, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Pugmire, Lance (July 23, 2009). "Duane Cooper won't return as Dominguez boys' basketball coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Ceglinsky, Sean (February 1, 2011). "Price's Norvel Pelle draws plenty of attention". ESPN. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  8. ^ "Norvel Pelle". 247Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  9. ^ "Norvel Pelle". ESPN. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  10. ^ Castillo, Jorge (September 16, 2011). "An Early Setback for St. John's". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Bontemps, Tim (May 23, 2013). "Unable to qualify at St. John's and Iona, Pelle sets sights on NBA". New York Post. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Norvel Pelle hopes to take road less traveled to NBA". Fox Sports. May 20, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Bolch, Ben (June 17, 2013). "Norvel Pelle withdraws from NBA draft over foot issue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  14. ^ Shorr-Parks, Eliot (November 1, 2013). "Norvel Pelle, Aquille Carr taken by Delaware 87ers in D-League draft". NO.com. NJ. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "Norvel Pelle Player Profile". RealGM.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  16. ^ "Dec 11, 2013: Idaho 127, Delaware 108". RealGM.com. December 11, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "Norvel Pelle Signs With Dacin Tigers Of Taiwan". RealGM.com. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  18. ^ "Norvel Pelle signed by Openjobmetis Varese". Court-Side.com. Court-Side. July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  19. ^ "Norvel Pelle gets MVP of the Week award for Taiwanese SBL". Asia-Basket.com. December 16, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  20. ^ "Norvel Pelle basketball profile". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  21. ^ "Mar 20, 2015 – Erie 128, Delaware 118". RealGM.com. March 20, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  22. ^ "Norvel Pelle agreed terms with Homenetmen Beirut". Asia-Basket.com. December 14, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  23. ^ "Homenetmen Beirut 96 - Al Moutahed 88". EuroBasket.com. January 20, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  24. ^ "Norvel Pelle". PallacanestroVarese.it. Pallacanestro Varese. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  25. ^ a b "Norvel Pelle, a new signing for Openjobmetis". PallacanestroVarese.it. Pallacanestro Varese. July 28, 2016. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  26. ^ "Norvel Pelle moves to Torino". Court-Side.com. Court-Side. February 13, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "Team Signs Pelle". NBA.com. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  28. ^ "In corresponding moves, the team has waived Anthony Brown and Norvel Pelle". Philadelphia 76ers on Twitter. October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  29. ^ "Blue Coats Announce Training Camp Roster and Schedule". NBA.com. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "Delaware Blue Coats' Norvel Pelle Suspended". NBA.com. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  31. ^ Lupo, Nicola (March 30, 2019). "Norvel Pelle signs with Homenetmen Beirut". Sportando.basketball. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  32. ^ "Pelle Signed to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  33. ^ "Team Signs Pelle". NBA.com. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Cavaliers Waive Three Players, Convert Marques Bolden to Two-Way Contract and Sign Norvel Pelle". NBA.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  35. ^ "Cavaliers Waive Norvel Pelle". NBA.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  36. ^ "Charge Announce 2021 Roster". NBA.com. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  37. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Norvel Pelle". NBA.com. January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  38. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Waive Norvel Pelle". NBA.com. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  39. ^ "Norvel Pelle Rejoins Charge". NBA.com. February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  40. ^ "Kings Sign Norvel Pelle to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  41. ^ @NY_KnicksPR (April 2, 2021). "@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle" (Tweet). Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ @NY_KnicksPR (April 12, 2021). "@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle to Second 10-Day Contract" (Tweet). Retrieved April 15, 2021 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ @NY_KnicksPR (April 22, 2021). "@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle" (Tweet). Retrieved April 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ @NY_KnicksPR (July 31, 2021). "Knicks exercised team option on center Mitchell Robinson and waived center Norvel Pelle" (Tweet). Retrieved August 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Charge Acquire Norvel Pelle As Returning Player". NBA.com. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  46. ^ Boston Celtics [@celtics] (December 25, 2021). "We have signed 10-year NBA veteran Al-Farouq Aminu and center Norvel Pelle to 10-day contracts" (Tweet). Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Utah Jazz sign Norvel Pelle". sltrib.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  48. ^ "Norvel Pelle Rejoins Charge". Charge Basketball.
  49. ^ "The Portland Trail Blazers Have Signed A New Player". SI.com. August 4, 2022.
  50. ^ "Mad Ants Announce 2022 Training Camp Roster". oursportscentral.com. October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  51. ^ "Fort Wayne Mad Ants". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  52. ^ "2022-23 NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  53. ^ Ghayem, Kazem (September 17, 2023). "Gorgan tabs Norvel Pelle". Asia-Basket.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  54. ^ "Beirut Club adds Pelle to their roster". Eurobasket.com. July 19, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  55. ^ Henson, Joaquin (August 21, 2017). "No surprise ending in Lebanon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  56. ^ "Norvel Pelle". FIBA. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  57. ^ "Aug 19, 2017 – Philippines 87, Lebanon 106". RealGM. August 19, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
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