Ducks Digest

Oregon Basketball's Jermaine Couisnard Signs with New Orleans Pelicans

The standout from the NCAA Tournament has a chance to crack an NBA roster, or at least make his way to the G-League after going undrafted.

Arden Cravalho

Mar 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) shoots the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander (23) during the first half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena.
Mar 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) shoots the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander (23) during the first half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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One of the shining stars from the NCAA Tournament may have went undrafted but that doesn't mean that his basketball journey is over yet. Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard has signed with the New Orleans Pelicans as an undrafted free agent.

The Chicago native started his career in South Carolina. After three seasons in Columbia, Couisnard transferred to Oregon for his final two collegiate seasons. In 2023-24, he averaged 16.1 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game through 36 games. On 211 attempts, Couisnard shot 34.6% on three-pointers. On 498 attempts, he shot exactly 40% on field goals. Cousinard was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team.

Couisnard put his name on the map by dropping 40 points in the first round of March Madness against his former team in the Gamecocks. He holds the Pac-12 record for the most points through the first two NCAA Tournament games at 72 (passing UCLA great Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Couisnard also helped lead his Ducks to an improbable run to win the final Pac-12 tournament ever.

Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) shoots the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander (23)
Mar 23, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) shoots the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander (23) during the first half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Couisnard's partner in crime back in Oregon also went undrafted but was immediately signed afterwards. N'Faly Dante will be joining the Houston Rockets as a two-way player which means he will be spending time with both the big club and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

The Pelicans got a real good one and the first chance to see Couisnard in action will come during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. You can check out their schedule below.

Date

Event

Time

TV

July 12

Pelicans vs Timberwolves

2 p.m. PDT

ESPN2

July 14

Pelicans vs Magic

4;30 p.m. PDT

NBA TV

July 16

Pelicans vs Spurs

7:30 p.m. PDT

NBA TV

July 18

Pelicans vs Grizzlies

3 p.m. PDT

NBA TV

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Arden Cravalho
ARDEN CRAVALHO

Arden Cravalho has been covering Oregon football and basketball for Sports Illustrated's Oregon site since June 2024. Arden has been writing extensively about college athletics beginning in 2018. His other work can be seen on "The Slipper Still Fits" at SB Nation. Arden is a graduate of Gonzaga University and brings a deep understanding of college sports to his writing. Residing in San Francisco, CA, Arden continues to follow his passion for college sports with a focus on the Ducks. His experience and dedication to covering Oregon's athletic programs are evident in his insightful articles and analysis

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