Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

E. J. Liddell earned respect for the physical edge and competitiveness he brought every time he stepped on the floor. His combination of strength, shot-blocking instincts, and improving offensive skill set made him the type of forward who could impact games without needing constant touches.

Here’s detailed information about EJ Liddell:

  • Full Name: EJ Liddell
  • Nickname: E.J.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: December 18, 2000
  • Hometown: Belleville, Illinois, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
  • Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: US 14
  • Jersey Number:
    • #32 — Ohio State Buckeyes
    • #32 — New Orleans Pelicans
  • Position: Power Forward / Small-Ball Center
  • High School: Belleville West High School (Illinois)
  • College: Ohio State University (2019–2022)
  • NBA Draft: 2022 — 2nd Round, Pick 41 — New Orleans Pelicans
  • Player Archetype: Two-Way Small-Ball Forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Secondary scorer; pick-and-pop threat; interior finisher
  • Defensive Role: Weak-side rim protector; switchable frontcourt defender
  • Play Style: Physical, high-motor forward who blends interior scoring with shot-blocking instincts and improving perimeter touch
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Strong frame, explosive leaper off two feet, good lateral mobility for size
  • Recruiting Status: 4-star recruit (consensus top-50 nationally in 2019 class)
  • Draft Status Detail: Stayed three years at Ohio State; productive collegiate scorer and defender but slid to second round due to positional tweener concerns and perimeter limitations
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — missed rookie season (2022–23) with ACL tear; returned with managed workload
  • Career Stage: Early Career / Developmental Rotation Player
  • Comparison Style: Undersized, physical scoring forward with rim protection flashes
  • Comparable Players:
    • Paul Millsap — undersized PF with strength and defensive instincts
    • P.J. Tucker — small-ball forward with physicality and defensive versatility
    • Grant Williams — compact forward with switchability and spot-up scoring
  • Teams Played For:
    • New Orleans Pelicans (2022–present)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: Eric Liddell (father), Angela Liddell (mother)
  • Children: None publicly known
  • Siblings: Has siblings (not widely documented in detail)

EJ Liddell’s player archetype is best described as a two-way small-ball forward, built around physical strength, defensive activity, and efficient secondary scoring. Offensively, he operates as a pick-and-pop option and interior finisher, leveraging his sturdy frame to score through contact while gradually extending his range. Defensively, he brings value as a weak-side rim protector and switchable frontcourt presence, using timing and length to block shots despite being undersized for a traditional big. His physical traits—broad shoulders, strong base, and a near 7-foot wingspan—support a rugged, high-motor play style that prioritizes effort, positioning, and versatility. Overall, Liddell projects as a glue-piece contributor who can impact games without needing high usage, provided his shooting consistency and post-injury mobility continue trending upward.

Scouting Report

E.J. Liddell plays bigger than his measurements because he understands how to win the battle before the ball arrives. What stands out is how quickly he recognizes where the advantage is. On one possession he’ll slip a screen into open space for an easy finish, and on the next he’ll space to the corner, wait for the low man to commit, then attack the closeout with two strong dribbles instead of settling for a contested jumper. He isn’t the kind of forward who needs elaborate touches called for him. His offense is built on timing, physical drives, short-roll decisions, and a dependable jumper that forces defenders to respect him outside the paint. The interesting thing is that he’s more comfortable making quick reads than holding the ball, often firing the extra pass as soon as help rotates rather than trying to beat a second defender. Defensively, that’s where his game really separates itself. He rotates early from the weak side, challenges shots vertically without chasing blocks at every opportunity, and has enough lateral mobility to survive switches onto wings for stretches because he anticipates the drive instead of simply reacting to it. The trade-off comes against longer finishers who can shoot over him around the rim or against true centers who establish deep post position before he can leverage his strength. I’ve always thought his defensive processing is underrated; he consistently seems to arrive at the right spot a beat early, which makes average athletic tools play above their level. His ideal role is as a complementary frontcourt piece next to a rim-running center or high-usage creator, allowing him to defend multiple actions, stretch the floor when needed, and capitalize on the openings generated by others without forcing offense that isn’t there. His game has shades of Grant Williams because of the combination of strength, shooting, and positional defense, while there are flashes of Paul Millsap in the way he quietly influences possessions through anticipation, disciplined footwork, and efficient scoring rather than sheer volume. — Mat Diekhake, HeatingUp

Sources:
NBA.com — E.J. Liddell Player Profile
Sports Reference — E.J. Liddell College Stats
ESPN — E.J. Liddell Stats, News, Bio