Saddiq Bey Bio
Saddiq Jaleel Bey (born April 9, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and listed at 215 lb (98 kg), he plays the small forward and shooting guard positions. After a standout two-year college career at Villanova, Bey was selected 19th overall in the 2020 NBA draft and has built a reputation as a skilled outside shooter and a reliable wing scorer.
Early Life and Background
Saddiq Jaleel Bey was born on April 9, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the son of Drewana Bey, a former high school principal who herself played collegiate basketball at Charlotte. Growing up in a household with a clear athletic and educational background, Bey developed an early interest in basketball that would shape his future path. He stood only 5 ft 9 in as a high school freshman, but a significant growth spurt during his teenage years helped him reach his current height and eventually draw attention from college recruiters across the country.
Bey began his high school career at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, before transferring to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Outside of high school competition, he played AAU basketball with D.C. Premier, where he continued to sharpen his perimeter skills. As a junior at Sidwell Friends, he averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game, leading his team to a conference championship. After missing time as a senior with an ankle injury, he returned to average 21 points and 8 rebounds per game and emerged as a four-star recruit ranked 83rd nationally in his class by 247Sports.com.
Path to Basketball
Originally committed to North Carolina State on November 2, 2017, Bey asked for a release from his letter of intent in May 2018 but was denied a waiver to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After visiting Wake Forest, Boston College, and Vanderbilt, he signed with Villanova on June 15, 2018. Villanova head coach Jay Wright had previously recruited Bey, and a scholarship opened up after Omari Spellman left for the NBA, clearing a path for the versatile wing to join the program.
Bey made an immediate impact in his freshman season at Villanova. In his debut against Morgan State, he posted 16 points and 4 rebounds, and he later recorded his first double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds on January 30, 2019, against DePaul. He helped the Wildcats win the Big East tournament to become the first team to claim three straight conference titles, contributing 16 points and 10 rebounds in the 74–72 championship win over Seton Hall. He was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team after averaging 8.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a freshman.
Saddiq Bey Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
As a sophomore, Bey was named to the Julius Erving Award watchlist and elevated his offensive production. On December 4, 2019, he scored 27 points to lead Villanova to an 80–69 win over Penn, and on January 11, 2020, he erupted for a career-high 33 points, including eight three-pointers, in an 80–66 victory over Georgetown. He followed that with 18 points in a 79–75 overtime win against DePaul, finishing the year as a unanimous first-team All-Big East selection.
At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Bey won the Robert V. Geasey Trophy as the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5 and the Julius Erving Award as the nation’s top small forward, becoming the third Villanova player to win the award in six seasons, following Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game before declaring for the 2020 NBA draft.
Detroit Pistons Era (2020–2023)
Bey was selected 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA draft, and his draft rights were traded to the Detroit Pistons the following day in a three-team deal. He signed with Detroit on December 1, 2020, and quickly became a regular contributor, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors on February 15, 2021, and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. His strong debut season earned him a place on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2021.
The 2021–22 season marked a true breakout. On January 1, 2022, Bey hit a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds of overtime to lift Detroit past the San Antonio Spurs 117–116. Two days later, he scored a then-career-high 34 points with 8 rebounds in a road upset of the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks. On March 17, 2022, he erupted for 51 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in a 134–120 win over the Orlando Magic, and on March 23, 2022, he set a Pistons franchise record with his 192nd three-pointer of the season, surpassing Allan Houston’s mark of 191. He capped his Pistons tenure with a buzzer-beating three-pointer on January 4, 2023, sealing a 122–119 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2023–2024)
On February 9, 2023, Bey was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a four-team deal 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, and continued to serve as a reliable scoring wing off the bench and in spot starts.
On January 28, 2024, Bey delivered 26 points along with a game-winning putback dunk in a 126–124 win over the Toronto Raptors. His season was cut short on March 11, 2024, when he suffered an ACL tear that ended his year, requiring a long rehabilitation process before his next appearance.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2024–Present)
On July 12, 2024, Bey signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Washington Wizards, though he was expected to miss most of the season as he continued his recovery. He was reassigned to a G League rehab stint with the Capital City Go-Go and was recalled on March 23, 2025, signaling a potential return within a month. On July 6, 2025, before ever appearing in a game for the Wizards, Bey was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans along with Jordan Poole and the draft rights to Micah Peavy in a three-team trade that sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and Cam Whitmore to Washington.
Bey made an immediate impact in New Orleans. On February 26, 2026, he recorded 42 points and 7 assists in a 129–118 victory over the Utah Jazz, showcasing the scoring form that had defined his career and signaling a strong return to form following his ACL recovery.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saddiq Bey is best known as a high-volume three-point shooter with a smooth, repeatable stroke and the size to shoot over most perimeter defenders. He thrives in catch-and-shoot situations, but he has also shown the ability to score off the dribble and finish at the rim with either hand. Defensively, his length and basketball IQ allow him to switch across multiple positions, and his comfort operating as a small forward or shooting guard gives coaches valuable lineup flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Bey’s career are his 51-point outburst against the Orlando Magic in March 2022, his franchise-record 192nd three-pointer later that same month, and his 42-point performance for the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2026. He also earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2021, won the Julius Erving Award in 2020, and claimed the Robert V. Geasey Trophy as the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5.
Saddiq Bey Career Wins
Throughout his career, Saddiq Bey has been recognized for his individual scoring achievements, his ability to deliver in clutch moments, and his consistent three-point shooting. He has earned multiple All-Star-caliber honors at both the college and professional levels, and his game-winning shots against San Antonio, Golden State, and Toronto highlight his composure under pressure. His 51-point game with the Detroit Pistons and 42-point game with the New Orleans Pelicans stand out as career-defining offensive performances.
NBA Highlights
Bey’s first signature NBA moment came on January 1, 2022, with his overtime game-winner over the San Antonio Spurs, followed by a 34-point performance two days later against the Milwaukee Bucks. His most recent major highlight was his 42-point outing for the New Orleans Pelicans in a 129–118 win over the Utah Jazz on February 26, 2026, marking a triumphant return to peak form.
College and Other Performances
At Villanova, Bey’s sophomore-year excellence included a 33-point, eight-three-pointer performance against Georgetown, a Big East tournament championship, and unanimous first-team All-Big East honors. He was a consensus top small forward in college basketball and one of the most decorated Wildcats of his era.
Saddiq Bey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Saddiq Bey is the son of Drewana Bey, a former high school principal who played collegiate basketball at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her background in education and basketball helped shape Bey’s disciplined approach to the game and contributed to his early development as a young player in the Washington, D.C., area.
Personal Life
Bey grew up in a close-knit family shaped by his mother’s career in education and her own experience as a college basketball player. He attended two prestigious high schools in the greater Washington, D.C., area before going on to play at Villanova, and he has built his professional life around basketball while maintaining strong ties to his family roots.
2025 Season Performance
Saddiq Bey’s 2025 calendar was dominated by his ongoing recovery from the ACL tear suffered in March 2024. After signing with the Washington Wizards in July 2024, he was assigned to a G League rehab stint with the Capital City Go-Go and was officially recalled by Washington on March 23, 2025, putting him on track for a return to NBA action within weeks.
Before he could debut for the Wizards, however, Bey was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans on July 6, 2025, in a three-team trade that reshaped the rosters of Washington, New Orleans, and Houston. The move gave Bey a fresh opportunity to re-establish himself in a new system and on a contending roster.
By early 2026, Bey had clearly regained his scoring touch, highlighted by his 42-point, 7-assist performance in a 129–118 win over the Utah Jazz on February 26, 2026. That outing reinforced his value as a reliable scoring wing and positioned him as a key contributor for the Pelicans heading into the rest of the season.
