The most famous basketball player in McNeese State history may be heading to his home state.

Joe Dumars, the Cowboy legend who won two NBA championships as a player for the Detroit Pistons and another while the team’s top executive, appears headed to New Orleans.

According to reports, Dumars is in deep talks with the Pelicans to run the NBA team’s basketball operations. 

Monday, the Pelicans fired executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin after the second-worst season in franchise history. New Orleans finished just 21-61 a year after making the playoffs.

In Griffins’ six seasons running the Pelicans, the team compiled a 209-263 record.

“After considerable thought and evaluation, I have decided to relieve David Griffin of his duties as executive vice president of basketball operations,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary at this time to bring a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court.”

The 61-year-old Dumars could be named to head the Pelicans as early as this week. That could benefit McNeese, which has improved its men’s basketball program over the last two years. 

“It certainly would not hurt to have a guy like that closer to our program,” said McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer.

Schroyer helped repair a strained relationship between Dumars and McNeese by inviting the national basketball Hall of Famer to the preseason banquet. 

In 2023, Schroyer and McNeese renamed the floor inside the Legacy Center Joe Dumars Court in honor of the school’s all-time leading scorer.

“I have gotten awards, but some have more to do with a legacy like this,” Dumars said at the time. “They mean more to you.”

Dumars played for McNeese from 1981-85, averaging 22.5 points a game and finishing as the 11th leading scorer in NCAA history. He is still the all-time leading scorer in program history.

Dumars averaged 25.8 points in his senior year and was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year before Detroit selected him in the first round. McNeese and the Pistons retired his No. 4.

Dumars is one of three players in Southland Conference history to be named to the All-SLC team for four straight years.

“My four years at McNeese were great,” Dumars said. “I have so many special relationships and friends that I still am in contact with.

After McNeese, Dumars played 14 seasons with Detroit before joining the team’s front office and then the NBA administration.

Dumars currently holds the position of vice president of basketball operations for the NBA, which is the exact role he is expected to take in New Orleans. He also served in this role with Detroit after his 14-year playing career was over.

Dumars was born in Shreveport and played high school basketball at Natchitoches Center before heading to McNeese.

Having the greatest player in program history working for the NBA team in the same state would make a relationship between the school and its star much easier to continue and grow.