NBA Player Bryce Dejean-Jones Shot, Killed After Breaking Into Apartment: Reports

Bryce Dejean-Jones #31 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Smoothie King Center on February 4, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

NBA player Bryce Dejean-Jones, a guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, was shot and killed on early Saturday morning after he broke into a home, police said.

Police said he “kicked open the front door” of a Dallas apartment, and the man sleeping inside woke up and shot him, the Dallas Morning News reported. He broke into the house at 3:20 a.m. local time.

Police spokesman DeMarquis Black told CNN that the resident “called out to the individual, but was not answered.”

When the resident’s bedroom door was kicked open, he fired his gun, Black said.

Dejean-Jones’ agent, Scott Nichols, said the NBA player was in Dallas to visit his girlfriend for his daughter’s first birthday. He had never been to her new apartment and subsequently went into the wrong apartment on the third floor---right below his girlfriend’s place, Nichols said. He then apparently tried to forcefully enter the home.

Sources told ESPN that while Dejean-Jones was in Dallas, he got involved in an argument with the child’s mother prior to the shooting.

He was struck in the abdomen the bullet and collapsed on the apartment’s breezeway. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It’s unclear if any charges were filed, CNN reported.

According to ESPN, Dallas police said it doesn’t appear that Dejean-Jones or the unnamed resident of the apartment knew one another previously.

Dejean-Jones, 23, had signed a three-year deal with the Pelicans this season, where he averaged 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

“It is with deep sadness that the Pelicans Organization acknowledges the sudden passing of Bryce Dejean-Jones,” the Pelicans said in a statement. “We are devastated at the loss of this young man’s life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family during this difficult time.”

“Bryce overcame a lot of obstacles to get to this point in his career,” Nichols told ESPN. “He was a joy to be around, a talent just turning the corner in his career.”

He previously played for Iowa State during the 2014-15 season.

“This is a very, very sad and tragic day for everyone that’s a part of the Cyclone Basketball family,” Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Bryce’s family at this difficult time. I also ask that you keep Bryce’s current and former teammates and coaches in your prayers as well.”