Norvel Pelle

Norvel Pelle Jr. (born February 3, 1993) is a professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m), 231-pound (105 kg) power forward and 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 barred 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 – Philadelphia 76ers
Position	Power forward
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1993-02-03) February 3, 1993 St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
Nationality	Antiguan / Lebanese
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school	Lakewood (Lakewood, California) Dominguez (Compton, California) Price (Los Angeles, California)
NBA draft	2014 / Undrafted
Playing career	2013–present
Career history
2013–2014	Delaware 87ers
2014–2015	Dacin Tigers
2015	Delaware 87ers
2015–2016	Homenetmen
2016–2018	Varese
2018	Auxilium Torino
2018–2019	Delaware Blue Coats
2019	Homenetmen
2019–present	Philadelphia 76ers
2019–2020	→Delaware Blue Coats
Career highlights and awards
Taiwanese League All-Star (2015)

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.

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

Early life

Pelle was born in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to Norvel Sr. and Darlene Pelle.[1][2] 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.[2] His father was a welder, while his mother managed the garden center at a Home Depot store.[2]

High school career

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.[3] His school was located near his family's residence in Long Beach, California.[2] As a sophomore, Pelle transferred to Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, California, playing under head coach Duane Cooper.[4] After Cooper was dismissed from the team, Pelle revealed plans to move to a different high school program.[5] 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.[6] With three games left in his senior campaign, Pelle was averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game.[6]

In his high school career, Pelle was ranked as high as the No. 1 center in his class by recruiting service Rivals.[2] He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports.[7][8] 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.[2] 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.[9] He decommitted from the program, signing a letter of intent with Iona, but was again ruled academically ineligible.[10] He then played for Los Angeles College Preparatory Academy.[11]

Professional career

Delaware 87ers (2013–2014)

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

Dacin Tigers (2014–2015)

On July 29, 2014, Pelle signed with the Dacin Tigers of the Taiwanese Super Basketball League (SBL).[16] In 30 games with the team, he averaged 15.3 points and 14.2 rebounds.[17] Pelle had a notable performance in December 2014 versus Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Basketball, posting a double-double of 27 points and 26 rebounds.[18] He was named to the SBL All-Star Game and earned All-SBL honorable mention accolades from basketball website Asia-Basket.[19]

Delaware 87ers (2015)

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.[14] His best performance came on March 20 against the Erie BayHawks, recording 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.[20] He averaged 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.[14]

Homenetmen Beirut (2015–2016)

On December 14, 2015, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League.[21] On January 20, 2016, Pelle only scored 3 points but grabbed 23 rebounds in a 96-88 win over the Al Moutahed.[22] After 32 games, he averaged 11.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and a league-high 2.9 blocks per game.[23]

Pelle joined the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) at the 2016 Orlando Pro Summer League.[14]

Pallacanestro Varese (2016–2018)

On July 28, 2016, Pelle signed a two-year contract with Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).[24] Upon his arrival, head coach Paolo Moretti said, "The qualities of Pelle that have most impressed me are his explosive strength, aggressiveness and athleticism."[24]

Pelle played for the Miami Heat at the 2017 NBA Summer League in both Orlando and Las Vegas.[14]

Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino (2018)

On February 13, 2018, Pelle signed with Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[25]

Delaware Blue Coats (2018–2019)

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.[14] He later joined the 76ers for training camp.[26] On October 10, 2018, Pelle was waived.[27] He signed with the Delaware Blue Coats for their training camp roster.[28] On January 23, 2019, Pelle was suspended for five games without pay for violating the G League's Anti-Drug program.[29]

Homenetmen Beirut (2019)

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

Philadelphia 76ers (2019–present)

On July 2, 2019, Pelle signed with the Philadelphia 76ers with a two-way contract.[31] On February 7, 2020 his deal was converted to a standard contract.[32]

National team career

Pelle is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Lebanon, and the United States but represents Lebanon at the international level.[33][34] 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.[14] Against the Philippines, he nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks.[35]

Career Statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	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		Led the league

Year	Team	League	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2014-15	Dacin Tigers	Taiwan Basketball League	30	32.0	.493	.000	.695	14.2	.7	.7	3.0	15.3
2015-16	Homenetmen Beirut	Lebanese League	32	34.6	.590	.500	.670	12.7	.6	.7	2.9	11.8
2016-17	Pallacanestro Varese	Italian League	29	15.8	.672	.000	.727	5.6	.3	.3	2.1	7.2
2018-19	Delaware 87ers	NBA G-League	35	22.7	.695	.000	.765	8.6	1.2	.3	3.1	11.1
2019-20	Philadelphia 76ers	NBA	20	9.0	.514	.000	.500	3.0	.4	.1	1.2	2.1
Career		All Leagues	146	24.0	.586	.500	.701	9.3	.7	.5	2.6	10.1

References

1. "Norvel Pelle". FIBA. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
2. Bolch, Ben (June 20, 2014). "Long Beach's Norvel Pelle keeps NBA dream alive as draft approaches". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
3. "Back With A Purpose". Slam. June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
4. "Duane Cooper is out at Dominguez; Norvel Pelle to transfer". Los Angeles Times. July 22, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
5. Pugmire, Lance (July 23, 2009). "Duane Cooper won't return as Dominguez boys' basketball coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
6. Ceglinsky, Sean (February 1, 2011). "Price's Norvel Pelle draws plenty of attention". ESPN. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
7. "Norvel Pelle". 247Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
8. "Norvel Pelle". ESPN. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
9. Castillo, Jorge (September 16, 2011). "An Early Setback for St. John's". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
10. 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.
11. "Norvel Pelle hopes to take road less traveled to NBA". Fox Sports. May 20, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
12. Bolch, Ben (June 17, 2013). "Norvel Pelle withdraws from NBA draft over foot issue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
13. Shorr-Parks, Eliot (November 1, 2013). "Norvel Pelle, Aquille Carr taken by Delaware 87ers in D-League draft". NJ. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
14. "Norvel Pelle Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
15. "Dec 11, 2013: Idaho 127, Delaware 108". RealGM. December 11, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
16. "Norvel Pelle Signs With Dacin Tigers Of Taiwan". RealGM. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
17. "Norvel Pelle signed by Openjobmetis Varese". Court-Side. July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
18. "Norvel Pelle gets MVP of the Week award for Taiwanese SBL". Asia-Basket. December 16, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
19. "Norvel Pelle basketball profile". Eurobasket. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
20. "Mar 20, 2015 – Erie 128, Delaware 118". March 20, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
21. "Norvel Pelle agreed terms with Homenetmen Beirut". Asia-Basket. December 14, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
22. "Homenetmen Beirut 96 - Al Moutahed 88". EuroBasket. January 20, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
23. "Norvel Pelle". Pallacanestro Varese. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
24. "Norvel Pelle, a new signing for Openjobmetis". Pallacanestro Varese. July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
25. "Norvel Pelle moves to Torino". Court-Side. February 13, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
26. "Team Signs Pelle". NBA.com. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
27. "In corresponding moves, the team has waived Anthony Brown and Norvel Pelle". Philadelphia 76ers on Twitter. October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
28. "Blue Coats Announce Training Camp Roster and Schedule". NBA.com. October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
29. "Delaware Blue Coats' Norvel Pelle Suspended". NBA G League. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
30. Norvel Pelle signs with Homenetmen Beirut
31. "Pelle Signed to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
32. "Team Signs Pelle". NBA.com. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
33. Henson, Joaquin (August 21, 2017). "No surprise ending in Lebanon". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
34. "Norvel Pelle". FIBA. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
35. "Aug 19, 2017 – Philippines 87, Lebanon 106". RealGM. August 19, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2018.