Saddiq Bey

Saddiq Jaleel Bey Bio

Saddiq Jaleel Bey is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the small forward and shooting guard positions, standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds. Bey was born on April 9, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats from 2018 to 2020 before entering the NBA draft, where he was selected 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in 2020. Throughout his NBA career, Bey has established himself as a versatile scorer and three-point shooter, earning recognition as an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2021.

Early Life and Background

Saddiq Jaleel Bey grew up in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with his mother, Drewana Bey. His mother played collegiate basketball at Charlotte and later worked as a high school principal, instilling in him both the academic and athletic discipline that would shape his future. Bey began playing basketball at a young age and developed his skills through youth leagues and AAU competition. He stood only 5 feet 9 inches as a freshman in high school before experiencing a significant growth spurt that would eventually help transform him into a Division I prospect.

Bey attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, for his freshman year before transferring to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. He played AAU basketball with D.C. Premier during his high school career. At Sidwell Friends, Bey emerged as a four-star recruit, ranked as the 83rd-best player in his class by 247Sports.com. As a junior, he averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game, leading his team to a conference championship. He battled through an ankle injury during his senior year but still managed to average 21 points and 8 rebounds per game.

Path to Basketball

Bey originally committed to North Carolina State on November 2, 2017, planning to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, he asked to be released from his letter of intent in May 2018 after his recruitment circumstances changed. After visiting several other schools including Wake Forest, Boston College, and Vanderbilt, Bey made the decision to sign with Villanova University on June 15, 2018. The opportunity arose when Omari Spellman left for the NBA and a scholarship became available. Villanova head coach Jay Wright had previously recruited Bey during high school and began targeting him again once the scholarship opened up.

Upon arriving at Villanova, Bey made an immediate impact during his freshman season in 2018-19. He debuted against Morgan State with 16 points and 4 rebounds. His first collegiate double-double came on January 30, 2019, against DePaul, where he recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds. Bey played a crucial role in Villanova’s run to the Big East tournament championship, contributing 16 points and 10 rebounds in the 74-72 championship game victory against Seton Hall. As a freshman, he averaged 8.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while starting 29 of 36 games, earning recognition on the Big East All-Freshman Team.

Saddiq Jaleel Bey Career

Villanova Breakthrough (2018–2020)

Entering his sophomore season, Bey was named to the Julius Erving Award watch list, recognizing the nation’s top small forward. He elevated his game significantly during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 27 points in an 80-69 victory over Penn on December 4. His signature performance came on January 11, 2020, when he recorded a career-high 33 points including eight three-pointers in an 80-66 win against Georgetown. Bey continued his dominant play with 18 points in an overtime victory against DePaul.

At the conclusion of the regular season, Bey was unanimously selected to the First-team All-Big East. He was named the winner of the Robert V. Geasey Trophy, awarded to the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5. Most notably, Bey won the Julius Erving Award at season’s end, recognizing him as the nation’s top small forward. He became the third Villanova player to win this award in six seasons, following Josh Hart in 2017 and Mikal Bridges in 2018. For the season, he averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while also earning AP honorable mention All-American honors.

Detroit Pistons (2020–2023)

Bey was drafted 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA draft. The following day, his draft rights were acquired by the Detroit Pistons in a three-team trade. On December 1, 2020, the Pistons officially signed him to his rookie contract. He made an immediate impact with the Pistons, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors on February 15, 2021. Bey finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, demonstrating his value among the draft class.

During the 2021-22 season, Bey showcased his clutch performance abilities. On January 1, 2022, he hit a game-winning three-pointer over two defenders in the final seconds of overtime to lift the Pistons to a 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Two days later, he scored a then-career-high 34 points with 8 rebounds in an upset victory over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. The defining moment of his career came on March 17, 2022, when he scored a career-high 51 points along with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in a 134-120 win against the Orlando Magic. Later that month, he set the Pistons franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a single season with 192, surpassing Allan Houston’s previous record of 191.

On January 4, 2023, Bey delivered another dramatic performance, scoring 17 points and making a buzzer-beating game-winning three-pointer in a 122-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Atlanta Hawks (2023–2024)

On February 9, 2023, Bey was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a four-team trade involving the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers. He made his Hawks debut on February 13, recording 12 points and 5 rebounds in a 144-138 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. With the Hawks, Bey continued to be a consistent scoring threat. On January 28, 2024, he recorded 26 points alongside a game-winning putback dunk in a 126-124 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he suffered an ACL tear on March 11, 2024, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

New Orleans Pelicans (2025–Present)

On July 12, 2024, Bey signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Washington Wizards. He began the season on rehabilitation due to his previous injury but was recalled from a G League assignment with the Capital City Go-Go on March 23, 2025, for a potential return. However, before ever appearing in a game for the Wizards, Bey was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans on July 6, 2025, in a three-team trade that also involved Jordan Poole and the Houston Rockets. Since joining the Pelicans, Bey has demonstrated his scoring ability and offensive versatility. On February 26, 2026, he recorded 42 points and 7 assists in a 129-118 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Playing Style and Strengths

Bey is known for his versatility as an offensive player, capable of scoring from beyond the arc, mid-range, and attacking the basket. His three-point shooting has been a consistent weapon throughout his career, as evidenced by his Pistons franchise record. He possesses the ability to create his own shot and score in isolation situations while also being capable of moving without the ball to find open looks. His offensive skill set allows him to play both the small forward and shooting guard positions, providing lineup flexibility for his teams.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Throughout his basketball career, Bey has accumulated numerous notable achievements. His 51-point performance against the Orlando Magic stands as the highlight of his professional career thus far. The Pistons franchise record for three-pointers made in a season demonstrates his elite shooting ability at the NBA level. His Julius Erving Award win at Villanova placed him among the nation’s elite small forwards during his college career.

Saddiq Jaleel Bey Career Highlights

Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Saddiq Jaleel Bey has accumulated numerous accolades that highlight his impact on the basketball court. His achievements span both his time at Villanova and his early NBA career, demonstrating his consistent ability to perform at a high level.

Villanova Wildcats Honors

At Villanova, Bey established himself as one of the premier players in college basketball during the 2019-20 season. He won the Julius Erving Award as the nation’s top small forward, becoming the third Villanova player to earn this honor in six years. He was named the Robert V. Geasey Trophy winner, recognizing him as the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5. His first-team All-Big East selection and AP honorable mention All-American honors capped off an outstanding sophomore campaign. During his freshman year, he earned Big East All-Freshman Team recognition while helping Villanova capture its first-ever three consecutive Big East tournament titles.

NBA Achievements

In his first NBA season, Bey was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2021, recognizing him as one of the top first-year players in the league. He earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors during his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. His 51-point game with the Pistons remains the highest-scoring performance of his professional career.

Family

Family Background

Saddiq Jaleel Bey comes from an athletic family with strong basketball roots. His mother, Drewana Bey, played collegiate basketball at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before embarking on a career in education. She later became a high school principal, demonstrating her commitment to both athletics and academics. His mother’s basketball background provided Bey with early exposure to the sport and valuable guidance throughout his development as a player.

Personal Life

Bey maintains a private personal life away from the basketball court. His mother has been a constant presence throughout his basketball journey, supporting his career from his early days in AAU basketball through his NBA career. Bey has publicly acknowledged his mother’s influence on his development both as a player and as a person, crediting her with helping him maintain focus on his academic and athletic goals.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Bey’s career following his mid-season trade to the New Orleans Pelicans. After beginning the season with the Washington Wizards organization, Bey was dealt to the Pelicans in July 2025, reuniting him with an active roster where he could showcase his offensive talents. His transition to the Pelicans provided him with an opportunity to contribute to a team with playoff aspirations.

Since joining the Pelicans, Bey has demonstrated his scoring ability and offensive versatility. His 42-point performance against the Utah Jazz in February 2026 showcased his ability to take over games as a primary offensive option. The game highlighted his diverse scoring arsenal, including his three-point shooting, mid-range game, and ability to create opportunities for teammates with 7 assists. This performance indicated that Bey was fully recovered from the ACL injury that ended his previous season and ready to be a significant contributor for the Pelicans.

The outlook for Bey with the New Orleans Pelicans appears promising. His ability to space the floor with his shooting, combined with his capacity to score in isolation situations, makes him a valuable fit for the team’s offensive system. As he continues to build chemistry with his new teammates and coaching staff, Bey has the opportunity to establish himself as a key contributor for a Pelicans team looking to make noise in the Western Conference.