The injury bug didn’t bite the New Orleans Pelicans this season quite like it did the season before.
Zion Williamson, whose career has been plagued by injuries, played in 62 games. That’s the second most he’s played in his career.
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears played in all 82 games, becoming the first Pelicans player to do that since Jonas Valanciunas in the 2023-24 season. Fellow rookie Derik Queen played in 81 games. Despite some of those small victories, the Pelicans are continuing to try to improve in that area.
The Pels announced Monday they are hiring David Cosgrave as vice president of health and performance, and Joe Sharpe as head athletic trainer.
“David Cosgrave and Joe Sharpe bring a level of professionalism and experience that immediately strengthens our organization and supports our commitment to build a fully integrated, best-in-class medical and performance team,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement. “Both have demonstrated throughout their careers a disciplined approach and strong attention to detail that aligns with the standards we value. Their ability to execute at a high level will have a tremendous impact on our day-to-day operations and long-term success.”
Both of the new additions have over 20 years of experience in the field.
Cosgrave, who will oversee all areas of health, sports medicine and performance for the Pelicans, spent 12 years working in the Premier League. In his most recent role in charge of the Orlando City SC, the club achieved player availability rates of 94% in 2022 and 97% in 2023. The club also has a 100% return-to-play rate after injury and surgery.
Sharpe’s most recent job was as director of health care and sports performance for the Charlotte Hornets from 2018-24. Before that, he spent six years as the head trainer for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s also worked with the then-Charlotte Bobcats, the Minnesota Timberwolves and on the college level at UConn. He’s also worked with USA Basketball, including the gold medal teams in 2012 and 2016.
Sharpe replaces Tom Maystadt, who was let go by the Pelicans in April.
The Pelicans hired Kurt Joseph in April as strength and conditioning coach.
Dumars gave his assessment of how he thought the Pelicans did this past season with injuries.
“The main thing is you want to get players healthy and on the court and for the most part, we did,” Dumars said in April. ”I thought early on it was a little bit shaky. We had a lot of injuries and a lot of guys out. But I thought as the season went on, we got better. When you’re sitting there at practice and shootaround and staff are coming over and telling you what’s going on with different guys and their availability, that’s how you judge this. You judge it obviously on the process too and how you try to get guys back on the court. But availability, as you know in today’s NBA, is more critical than ever before.”
