Scarlet Sunrise: E.J. Liddell signs three-year deal with New Orleans Pelicans

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E.J. Liddell signs three-year deal with New Orleans Pelicans

Former Ohio State star E.J. Liddell signed a three-year, $6.2 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania. Liddell was previously on a two-way contract with the Pelicans. He missed all of last season with an ACL tear that he suffered during Summer League.

Now, nearly a full year after that setback occurred, the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Liddell is slated to make his return to Summer League action Friday in Las Vegas when the Pelicans square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 4:30 p.m. on NBA TV.

The New Orleans Pelicans are signing forward EJ Liddell to a new three-year, $6.2 million deal, with a team option in the third season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Liddell was on a two-way contract after suffering a torn ACL in summer league last summer.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2023

“I’m blessed, man,” Liddell said in a post-practice interview Wednesday, via Pelicans.com. “Just how far I’ve came. Like, last month, I wasn’t able to play 5-on-5 but now I can. So it’s just awesome to be out there. It’s awesome to play with some of these guys who have been playing for a minute.

“It’s about to be about a year now since the last time I’ve played. There’s a little nerves, but I’m excited.”

Liddell said he feels good physically but that he has to work on getting his game conditioning back to where it needs to be. Summer League will be part of that process.

Liddell pointed out that he’s going to have to build up his confidence again, as is the case after any kind of long-term injury. And he noted that there’s no replacement for game experience.

Although he didn’t play a single regular season game, Liddell’s first year in the NBA wasn’t lost.

“Obviously, I wanted to be out on the court, but it was a really good opportunity to learn from the guys playing my position,” he said. “Just see guys on the opposite team, being in the locker room for scouting reports and just knowing what all it takes to prepare yourself for such a long season.”

Liddell said that he’s comfortable playing the three, four or the five. He believes positional flexibility, especially on the defensive side of the court, can earn him NBA minutes. Plus, he’s improved his jump shot. Liddell explained that, because his lateral movement was limited during his recovery, he spent a lot of his time shooting from the perimeter, particularly from the corner.

Liddell shot 37.4% (46-of-123) from beyond the arc in 2021-22, his third and final year at Ohio State. That season, he averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. As a result, Liddell earned first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American honors.

The Pelicans picked him 41st overall in the second round of last year’s draft. The organization is giving Liddell a more serious commitment with his new contract, however.

Four-star cornerback Miles Lockhart commits to Ohio State

Four-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart committed to Ohio State Thursday afternoon. Lockhart chose the Buckeyes over Wisconsin, Arizona State and others.

At the moment, he checks in at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Lockhart is the No. 38 cornerback, No. 6 Arizona prospect and No. 340 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Lockhart is the second cornerback to commit to Ohio State this cycle. He joins four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville corner Bryce West.

Lockhart explained why Ohio State was the right choice for him here. Catch more of his reasoning/thoughts in our video interview with him below:

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• What commitment of Miles Lockhart means for Ohio State

With linebacker starters sidelined during spring ball, Cody Simon stepped up as leader

After starting 10 games in 2021, Cody Simon was Ohio State’s go-to third linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 system.

But this offseason he hasn’t just been part of the first-team defense. He’s been at the heart of it.

With Tommy Eichenberg sidelined, and fellow returning starter Steele Chambers missing the latter portion of the spring season, Simon had to step up. That, he did.

“A big part about our team and Ohio State in general is just the ‘next man up’ mentality,” Simon said in April. “We knew we were gonna have Tommy down, and Steele went out, and the most important part is getting the young guys to be able to be ready. I think we did a great job.”

For the full story on Simon rising to the occasion, go here.

Projecting Buckeyes linebackers depth chart

Lettermen Row “Linebackers Week” is moving along. As we’ve done for every position in our preview series, we’re projecting the linebacker depth chart ahead of the Buckeyes’ 2023 season.

It’s a position with significant continuity. Headlined by second-team All-American Tommy Eichenberg and fellow fifth-year Steele Chambers, Ohio State’s starters in the second level return 197 total tackles from last season.

But who could factor into a rotation that’s expected to be more active than it was in the first year under Knowles?

We explore here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 57 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 141 days

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