Former LSU Star Javonte Smart Signs with New Orleans Pelicans

Smart returns to Louisiana with a chance to earn a roster spot for his hometown team.

Former LSU standout Javonte Smart has inked a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Baton Rouge native, who took the city by storm while playing for Scotlandville High School, comes back to Louisiana as he looks to establish his NBA career.

Smart, standing at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, appeared in 17 games with Milwaukee and Miami during the 2021-22 season, averaging 3.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists. Undrafted in 2021, the former Tiger played three seasons at LSU where he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 93 games.

READ MORE: Miami Heat Sign One Tiger, Waive Another 

Pelicans say they have waived John Butler and John Petty.

Team announces they have signed Javonte Smart and Kelan Martin.

Smart is a Baton Rouge native and Scotlandville/LSU product.

Neither Smart or Martin takes the 2-way spot opened by waiving Butler.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 10, 2022

In his time in the G-League during his rookie season, Smart averaged 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

After a shaky 2022 Las Vegas Summer League performance, the Miami Heat waived Smart, clearing the way for his former teammate Darius Days to sign a training camp deal.

In the July showcase, Smart averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in Las Vegas, but shot 31.3% from the field and 18.5% from 3-point range, unable to get into a rhythm offensively.

JUST IN: The Pelicans have signed former LSU and Scottlandville High star Javonte Smart (@JavonteSmart), per team release@FOX8NOLA

— Jesse Brooks (@jessecbrooks) October 10, 2022

READ MORE: Nine Former Tigers Showcase Skills in NBA Summer League 

Days averaged 13.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in three games with the San Antonio Spurs, earning a roster spot for training camp with the Heat. After going undrafted in June’s NBA Draft, Days proved to teams he is more than capable of competing at the next level.

Shooting 55.6% from the field and hitting on 37.5% of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc in Summer League, he ultimately became hot on the two-way market before signing a deal with the Heat.

Smart now returns home with a chance to earn a roster spot with the New Orleans Pelicans.