Yves Missi

Yves Thierry Missi (/ˈiːv ˈmiːsi/ EEV MEE-see; born 14 May 2004) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Baylor Bears.

Early life and high school career

Missi was born on 14 May 2004[1] in Belgium but grew up in Yaoundé, Cameroon.[2][3] He moved to the United States in 2021 and began attending West Nottingham Academy in Maryland.[4] He later transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California, and averaged 9.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.[5] A five-star recruit, he was highly recruited and was ranked by ESPN as the second-best player in California, the 13th-best player nationally and third-best center.[6][7]

Missi played at the Nike Hoop Summit in 2023 and won The Grind Session World Championship with Prolific Prep, earning a place at the GEICO High School Nationals.[8] He also played in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) and averaged 12.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game with the PSA Cardinals.[9] He committed to playing college basketball for the Baylor Bears and reclassified to be able to join them for the 2023–24 season.[10]

College career

Missi impressed early in the 2023–24 Baylor season.[11] Following his freshman season, he declared for the 2024 NBA draft and received a green room invite.[12]

Professional career

New Orleans Pelicans (2024–present)

On 26 June 2024, Missi was selected with the 21st overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2024 NBA draft[13] and on July 8, he signed with the Pelicans.[14]

On 23 October, Missi made his NBA debut, putting up 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal in a 123–111 win over the Chicago Bulls.[15]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  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

NBA

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024–25 New Orleans 73 67 26.8 .547 .000 .623 8.2 1.4 .5 1.3 9.1
Career 73 67 26.8 .547 .000 .623 8.2 1.4 .5 1.3 9.1

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 Baylor 34 32 22.9 .614 — .616 5.6 .4 .6 1.5 10.7

Personal life

Missi is a Cameroonian citizen.[16] He is eligible to also apply for citizenship in Belgium where he was born.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Yves Missi". NBADraft.net.
  2. ^ "NBA Draft Scouting Report: Baylor's Yves Missi". Sports Illustrated. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  3. ^ Moseley, Davis (14 July 2022). "Well-traveled five-star Yves Missi is here". Rivals.com. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. ^ McCallister, Mike (5 May 2022). "Yves Missi Has Developed Into a High Major Prospect". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  5. ^ Nicholas, Foster (6 November 2023). "Bears add depth: Get to know fresh faces of Baylor men's basketball". The Baylor Lariat. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  6. ^ Borzello, Jeff and Biancardi, Paul (4 January 2023). "Top 25 junior Missi chooses Baylor, 'the right place for me'". ESPN. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  7. ^ Borzello, Jeff (3 May 2023). "Yves Missi reclassifies to 2023 class for Baylor basketball". ESPN. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Yves Missi". Baylor Bears. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Missi commits to Baylor men's basketball". Waco Tribune-Herald. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  10. ^ Salerno, Cameron (3 May 2023). "College basketball recruiting: Baylor commit Yves Missi reclassifies, will join Bears for 2023-24 season". CBS Sports. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  11. ^ Condra, Isaac (20 December 2023). "2024 NBA Draft: Breaking Down Baylor's Yves Missi". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  12. ^ Kirschenbaum, Alex (2024-06-14). "Several More Players Invited To Green Room For 2024 Draft". Hoops Rumors. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  13. ^ Dodson, Chris (26 June 2024). "Pelicans 2024 NBA Draft grade for Yves Missi". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  14. ^ "New Orleans Pelicans sign Yves Missi". NBA.com. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  15. ^ Dammarell, Evan (24 October 2024). "Pelicans' Yves Missi's debut gets eye-opening Willie Green praise". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Yves Missi Q&A". Prospective Insight. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.