Source: Pacers signing guard DeJon Jarreau to a two-way contract
Source: Pacers signing guard DeJon Jarreau to a two-way contract
He's a defensive-minded point guard who was not drafted last month. He then impressed at summer league with the Miami Heat.
The Pacers plan to add DeJon Jarreau on a two-way contract, a league source told Fieldhouse Files.
Jarreau, a 6-foot-5 guard, was the Defensive Player of the Year last season in the American Athletic Conference, and then was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Midwest Regional. The Houston Cougars reached the Final Four and fell to Baylor University, who won it all.
The University of Houston product went undrafted, then joined the Miami Heat for summer league. In five games, the 23-year-old averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His per-game assist total ranked 12th among all players in Las Vegas.
”Just trying to be able to play multiple positions, do multiple things, do whatever it takes for my team to win — whether it’s rebounding, passing the ball, scoring, defending, whatever,” he said after a game. “I pride myself on that, being a big versatility guy. It helped me get to where I am today.”
By trading Aaron Holiday on draft night (for the 22nd pick, Isaiah Jackson), the Pacers needed another ball-handler behind Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. McConnell. Caris LeVert and Edmond Sumner can also share in those responsibilities.
See Also: One-on-one interview with Pacers GM Chad Buchanan
The Pacers filled both two-way slots with undrafted guards from this year’s group, first Ohio State’s Duane Washington Jr. and now Jarreau, a native of New Orleans. A two-way contract allows for a player to be on an NBA team’s active roster for up to 50 regular-season games while also getting valuable playing time in the G League.
The Pacers’ G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, plan to practice in Indy at the team’s facility and will play nine of their 24 home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Pronounciation guide: Day-Zhon Juh-Roe
Watch highlights of Jarreau at summer league below: