Former Ole Miss forward Malik Dia signs NBA two-way contract
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Former Ole Miss basketball forward Malik Dia has signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, meaning he’ll be active for up to 50 NBA games this upcoming season.
Dia went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft and was signed by the Pelicans for Summer League. He posted a strong few weeks in the Summer League, averaging 10 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 stocks across 18.2 minutes per game. Not too shabby.
RELATED: Interested in daily fantasy sports? Check out the latest Underdog promo code to get in on the action!
Dia is the third Rebel to sign a two-way contract this offseason. Sean Pedulla signed his deal with the Rockets on Saturday while Jamarion Sharp — the tallest active player in the NBA — signed with the Clippers last week.
Before landing in the NBA, Dia started his career at Vanderbilt and played sparingly before transferring to nearby Belmont, where he made the All-MVC Third team. He joined Chris Beard and the Rebels in 2024-25 and played 2 seasons, averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 61 games played and 57 starts. By the time he left, Dia was considered one of the better defensive players in the league.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
