NBA player Bryce Dejean-Jones shot dead

New Orleans Pelicans basketball player Bryce Dejean-Jones has been shot and killed by a man who apparently acted in self-defense.

Dejean-Jones, 23, a shooting guard with the National Basketball Association team, broke into a Dallas apartment on Saturday.

The 6-foot-6 guard was "believed to be breaking into the apartment of an estranged acquaintance" but had "inadvertently" entered the wrong one, according to the apartment complex manager.

The man in the apartment was sleeping when he heard his front door kicked open, police said, adding, he then grabbed a handgun and shot, wounding Dejean-Jones.

Officers arrived at the scene to see the basketball player lying in an outdoor passageway. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

According to sources, Dejean-Jones was in Dallas to celebrate his daughter's birthday, but got into an argument with the child's mother before the incident.

"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,” the Pelicans said in a statement.

"Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his journey to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Dejean-Jones from Iowa State University had averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 games with the Pelicans.

The Los Angeles native made his NBA debut in January and had signed a multi-year contract with the New Orleans club in February.

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