The New Orleans Pelicans selected St. Augustine High School graduate and New Orleans native Jaron Pierre Jr. with the 58th overall pick in the NBA draft. Pelicans TV sideline reporter Andrew Lopez said it is the first time in franchise history that the team has drafted a New Orleans native. Pierre averaged 17 points per game this past season at SMU, where he shot 37% from 3-point range. Lopez said Pierre’s college path included stops at Southern Miss, Jacksonville State and Wichita State before finishing at SMU, and that he improved each year. Pierre averaged 21 points per game at Jacksonville State, where he was named Conference USA Player of the Year, before averaging 17.5 points per game at SMU. Lopez said Pierre is listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds heading into the NBA, compared to 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds during his first year at Southern Miss. Lopez said players selected late in the second round are often two-way players and may spend time in the G League, noting the Squadron’s move to Kenner could be part of Pierre’s development path. Lopez added that defense is an area Pierre will need to improve.