The New Orleans Pelicans rookie class has the opportunity to be exceptional. 2025 No. 7 pick Jeremiah Fears is an instinctive scorer and sorcerer with the ball in his hands; a street-baller. Yet, he has two-way potential thanks to his knack for getting opponents to cough the ball up. The circumstances surrounding how they wound up with 2025 No. 13 pick Derik Queen adds to the pressure that both player and team face. Nevertheless, Queen is a lot like Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun; he’s just not European.
These two –Fears and Queen –have drawn the bulk of attention from the media and fans so far. However, 2025 No. 40 pick Micah Peavy is not to be forgotten. In fact, early in Pelicans training camp, he’s “standing out big-time.
Pelicans Rookie Micah Peavy ‘Standing Out Big-Time’ in Training Camp
Peavy “may be flying under the radar (in terms of media and fan interest), but not in practices,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green says, per Pelicans team reporter Jim Eichenhofer. “He’s standing out big-time. He’s one of our guys who is doing really well.”
Getting into the specifics, Green adds that the 24-year-old:
“He fits sort of our core characteristics of how we want to play. Number one, he’s a high-character young man. On the floor, it starts with him being competitive. He brings toughness, he’s a good defender, he’s smart. He makes the right plays offensively, doesn’t hurt you at all.”
For those who don’t know, Peavy played for three different schools in his five-year college career.
Well-Traveled Wing
As a freshman at Texas Tech, Peavy’s teammates included several future NBA players, such as: New York Knicks wing Kevin McCullar Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves wing Terrence Shannon Jr. and three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Mac McClung. For the next three years, Peavy was coached by TCU head coach Jamie Dixon, he and future Chicago Bulls forward Emanuel Miller helping the Horned Frogs reach the NCAA Tournament every season.
In his fifth and final collegiate season, he joined Georgetown, where he played alongside Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Thomas Sorber.
Was It A Mirage?
In college, Peavy’s usage and efficiency shifted routinely. His defensive ability has always been there and his basketball IQ undoubtedly grew after half a decade in the NCAA. However, the key to his success may be proving his long-range efficiency wasn’t a mirage last season. To that point, Peavy shot a sensational 40.0% from 3 in 2024-25 but it was his first season converting over 31.0% of his 3s.
The Last Word On Micah Peavy
Peavy separating himself from the crowd during the Pelicans practices is more than a feel-good story.
Jordan Hawkins still hasn’t caught his stride offensively, shooting just 34.8 percent from 3 despite entering the 2023 NBA Draft as a 3-point specialist. As a result, Peavy could feasibly emerge as a useful 3-and-D wing down the line. To be clear, the Texas native’s defensive impact isn’t at the level of Herb Jones. Nevertheless, Jones shooting below 34% from 3 in all but one NBA season can’t be ignored.
With that being said, it would be nice if New Orleans added a certified sniper, as Trey Murphy III is the only one they can count on.
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