Season stats: 2025-26. Updated —.
Johnny O'Neil Brings Size to New Orleans as an Older Rookie Forward
Pelicans Nightly Desk · 1 h agoJohnny O'Neil enters the 2026-27 season as a rookie forward on the New Orleans Pelicans roster. The 24-year-old, a 6-10, 220-pound forward out of Santa Clara, is not on the injury report. There is no game log or trade buzz on him yet — his NBA debut is still ahead.
A Rookie Frontcourt Piece
Johnny O'Neil is on the Pelicans roster for the 2026-27 season as a rookie forward. He is listed at 6-10 and 220 pounds, giving New Orleans a big body to work with up front. At 24 years old, he is on the older end for a first-year player entering the league. No jersey number has been assigned to him yet. With the season just getting underway, O'Neil has not yet logged NBA minutes, so there is no game-by-game production to point to. For now, his role on this roster is defined by his size and his college background rather than any pro track record, and that will start to take shape once the games begin.
The Santa Clara Background
O'Neil comes to the NBA out of Santa Clara. That college program is the entirety of his listed background heading into his rookie season with the Pelicans. There are no college statistics, awards, or game details attached to his file beyond the school itself, so the specifics of his college production aren't part of the record here. What is clear is the path: Santa Clara to New Orleans, forward to forward, as he makes the jump from college ball to the NBA for the 2026-27 season. Fans looking for a scouting report on tendencies or box scores from his college days will have to wait, since nothing beyond his school is on file at this point.
Measurables: 6-10, 220
At 6-10 and 220 pounds, O'Neil has NBA forward size on paper. That height puts him in range to play either forward spot, and the frame gives New Orleans a rookie who won't be undersized at the position. Beyond height, weight, and position, there isn't a stats line yet to say how that size translates into rebounding, defense, or scoring at this level. No jersey number has been assigned to him as of now, which is typical for a player still working through the start of a season. The physical profile is set; how it plays out on the floor for the Pelicans is still to be determined once he gets on the court.
Clean Bill of Health
O'Neil is not on the injury report. There is no injury history on file for him, meaning nothing has been flagged as an issue heading into his rookie season. For a player just starting his NBA career, a clean health status is exactly what a front office wants to see — no missed time to make up, no recovery timeline to track. That clears the way for O'Neil to be available as the Pelicans work through their rookie forward's introduction to the league. There is nothing else to report on the medical side right now, which for a first-year player is itself the story: a healthy start with no complications standing between him and the floor.
No Buzz, No Games Yet
There is no rumor activity tied to O'Neil right now — no trade chatter, no reported interest from other teams, nothing to attribute to a source. There is also no recent game log for him yet, which lines up with where the Pelicans are in the 2026-27 season. As a rookie, his first real body of work is still ahead of him. That means the story on O'Neil right now is entirely about who he is on paper: a 24-year-old, 6-10, 220-pound forward out of Santa Clara, healthy and on the roster, with his NBA introduction still to come. Once games are logged, there will be actual production to evaluate instead of just a profile.
Questions fans ask
What position does Johnny O'Neil play?
He is listed as a forward.
How tall is Johnny O'Neil and how much does he weigh?
He's listed at 6-10 and 220 pounds.
Is Johnny O'Neil a rookie?
Yes, he enters the 2026-27 season as a rookie at age 24.
Where did O'Neil play college basketball?
Santa Clara.
Is Johnny O'Neil injured?
No, he is not on the injury report and has no injury history on file.
What jersey number does O'Neil wear for the Pelicans?
No jersey number has been assigned to him yet.
Game log
last 0| Date | Opp | Result | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG | 3P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No games logged yet. | |||||||||