New Orleans Pelicans: Why Kelly Olynyk Isn't Shocked With Yves Missi's Inclusion in the 2024-25 NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team 1 Nov 4, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

New Orleans Pelicans: Why Kelly Olynyk Isn’t Shocked With Yves Missi’s Inclusion in the 2024-25 NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 21, 2025 9:23 AM ET

Kelly Olynyk, who arrived at the New Orleans Pelicans via a trade with the Toronto Raptors last February, said he’s not surprised when he heard his teammate Yves Missi was named to the 2024-25 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Missi, the 21st overall pick of last year’s NBA Draft, has become a regular starter for the New Orleans Pelicans. The 21-year-old center finished his rookie campaign with averages of 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks on 54.7 percent shooting across 73 regular season appearances (67 starts).

“He makes some plays out there where you’re like, ‘Damn, he’s a rookie?’ Protecting the rim, running, keeping guys honest, finishing, rebounding,” Olynyk said via Jim Eichenhofer.

New Orleans Pelicans: Why Kelly Olynyk Isn't Shocked With Yves Missi's Inclusion in the 2024-25 NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team 2 New Orleans Pelicans rookie center Yves Missi drives past Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. during a regular season game.Credit: Getty Images

“I think he’s got a high ceiling and is doing a lot of great stuff right now. If you throw a little more ingredients into the soup, you’re going to get a pretty good stew,” he added.

New Orleans Pelicans News: Willie Green praises Yves Missi for solid rookie season

Yves Missi wasn’t supposed to be this good early for the New Orleans Pelicans since he was labeled a “project” during pre-draft. Missi won Western Conference Rookie of the Month last December and was chosen to play in the Rising Stars event during All-Star Weekend.

Dec 8, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles in front of New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

“It’s incredibly impressive for Yves to be as young as he is, to step into a situation like ours and we kind of throw him right in the fire,” Green said about Missi. “He’s done a great job of picking up all of our concepts. He’s steadily improving.

“But his mentality to be available every game – he plays through bumps and bruises and that’s one of the things we love about him. He loves to compete, he gives you everything he has, and I think he’s going to continue to grow from here,” he added.