New Orleans Pelicans first-year coach Jamahl Mosley is starting his tenure on the fitting foot.
On Saturday, Hoops Hype insider Michael Scotto reported that the Pelicans have employed famend assistant God Shammgod as Mosley’s high lieutenant, a major win for a franchise in determined want of 1 after a disastrous 2025-26 season.
Shammgod is most well-known for his signature transfer that bears his title, however he is additionally grow to be one of many league’s greatest developmental coaches, together with working intently with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic when each had been members of the Dallas Mavericks.
His hiring must be a major increase for Pelicans 2025-26 All-Rookie second-team guard Jeremiah Fears and ahead Derik Queen as each look to make a second-year leap.
God Shammgod’s hiring an important signal for Pelicans 2025-26 rookies Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen
Initially becoming a member of the Mavericks in July 2016, Shammgod was employed as assistant of participant improvement and had later developed a robust rapport with Doncic as he grew to become one of many league’s greatest gamers.
Final offseason, Shammgod left the Mavericks to affix Mosley’s Orlando Magic and had a serious impression on 2023 No. 6 general decide Anthony Black’s breakout season. The third-year guard averaged career-highs in factors (15) and assists (3.7) per sport this previous season. Throughout Orlando’s journey abroad through the common season, Black, who averaged 7.2 factors per sport over his first two seasons, spoke with reporters about his coach’s impression on his improved play.
“My taking pictures off the dribble, taking part in one-on-one. Simply completely different strikes that, you understand, I can go to in distinction eventualities,” Black stated. “Simply issues which might be pure to me.
“He regarded on the method I play and the best way I transfer and added only a couple counters.”
Added Shammgod:
“I am completely satisfied for him. As a result of, like, on the finish of the day, I am unable to pull one thing out of him that is not in him. So the greatness was his already. It is simply me serving to him.”
If Shammgod can have an identical impression on Fears and Queen, New Orleans’ future will look a lot brighter in brief order.
Each confirmed promise throughout an in any other case misplaced 26-56 season, with Fears, chosen No. 7 general in final yr’s draft, showing in all 82 video games and averaging 14.3 factors and three.4 assists per sport. Queen, chosen No. 13 general following a controversial commerce with the Atlanta Hawks, showcased a robust all-around sport as one in every of simply 4 rookies to report a triple-double in 2025-26 and the one to take action greater than as soon as, per Stathead. On Dec. 8, 2025, he grew to become just the fifth rookie this century to have a 30-point triple-double, becoming a member of Doncic, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin and Austin Reaves.
The 2 struggled, nonetheless (as did the Pels as a workforce), ending on the rim. Per Cleaning The Glass, regardless of New Orleans trying a league-high 41.8 % of its subject aim makes an attempt on the rim, it shot simply 63.9 % on these tries, the league’s second-worst price. Fears ranked within the 96th percentile amongst level guards in rim makes an attempt however made them at a 56.7 % clip, which ranked within the twenty sixth percentile. Queen completed within the twentieth percentile amongst bigs in taking pictures proportion on the rim (60.1 %) regardless of over his half of his makes an attempt coming inside 4 ft of the basket.
Beneath Shammgod’s tutelage, Fears and Queen might grow to be stronger finishers, permitting every to maximise their potential. Whereas the Pelicans have an extended option to go to competing with the West’s greatest, luring Shammgod ought to solely assist to bridge the hole. He is confirmed to be among the many league’s high developmental coaches over time, and the younger Pels stars would be the subsequent to profit from his steerage.
