E.J. Liddell’s journey to the NBA is a story of patience, resilience, and undeniable talent. After a standout college career at Ohio State and a challenging start to his professional life due to injury, Liddell has worked his way back onto the court to establish himself in the league.
He is grinding on a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, proving he belongs at the highest level.
In this article, you will know E.J. Liddell’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more.
E.J. Liddell’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric “E.J.” Liddell Jr. |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Education | Ohio State University |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 240 lbs (109 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2022 |
| Net Worth | ~$2 Million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | ~$3.5 Million (Estimated Career Earnings) |
| Wife/Husband | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @ejliddell |
| Twitter Profile | @EasyE2432 |
Early Career
E.J. Liddell grew up in Belleville, Illinois, where he became a local legend at Belleville West High School. He wasn’t just good; he was dominant. He led his high school team to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2018 and 2019.
His individual performance was just as impressive as his team’s success. He won the prestigious Illinois Mr. Basketball award twice, a rare feat that put him in the same conversation as past Illinois greats like Jabari Parker.
This dominance on the high school court made him a highly recruited four-star prospect.
He chose to play college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes. During his freshman year, he played a supporting role, coming off the bench in most games but showing flashes of his potential.
By his sophomore season, he became the focal point of the Buckeyes’ offense. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. He didn’t stop there.
He returned for his junior season and elevated his game further, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was a force on both ends of the floor, earning consensus third-team All-American honors before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.
Professional Career
Liddell’s professional career started with a slide on draft night. Projected by many as a first-round talent, he fell to the second round, where the New Orleans Pelicans selected him with the 41st overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Disaster struck almost immediately.
During a Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks, he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. This injury forced him to miss his entire rookie season (2022-2023), delaying his NBA debut and testing his mental fortitude.
He returned to the court for the 2023-2024 season but found minutes hard to come by in a crowded Pelicans rotation. He spent significant time with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League to regain his rhythm.
In the summer of 2024, he was part of a major trade that sent him to the Atlanta Hawks, who then traded him to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns eventually waived him in August 2024 to clear a roster spot.
Unlikely to stay down, Liddell signed a deal with the Chicago Bulls for the 2024-2025 season, playing on a two-way contract.
By September 2025, he found a new home with the Brooklyn Nets, signing another two-way contract to provide depth at the forward position.
E.J. Liddell’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, E.J. Liddell’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. This figure comes from his NBA contracts and guaranteed money received during his first few seasons.
Contract
Liddell signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. This deal allows him to split time between the Brooklyn Nets and their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
Two-way contracts typically pay half of the rookie minimum salary, which is approximately $580,000 to $600,000 for the season, depending on the exact cap figures for the year.
Salary
His salary for the 2025-2026 season is governed by the standard two-way contract terms. Before this, he earned a guaranteed salary from the New Orleans Pelicans. Even though he was injured his rookie year, his contract included guaranteed money. For the 2023-2024 season, he earned approximately $1.8 million.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,017,781 |
| 2023-24 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,801,769 |
| 2024-25 | Chicago Bulls (Two-Way) | ~$578,577 |
| 2025-26 | Brooklyn Nets (Two-Way) | ~$600,000 |
| Total | Career Total | ~$3,998,127 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | PTS | REB | AST | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | New Orleans Pelicans | 8 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 2023-24 | Birmingham (G-League) | 26 | 26.5 | 17.6 | 7.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
| 2024-25 | Chicago Bulls | 12 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 |
| 2024-25 | Windy City (G-League) | 36 | 31.7 | 15.2 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| 2025-26 | Brooklyn Nets | 7 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
FAQs
1. What happened to E.J. Liddell during his rookie season?
He suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during an NBA Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks. This severe injury forced him to miss the entire 2022-2023 season while he focused on surgery and rehabilitation.
2. Which college team did E.J. Liddell play for?
He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes for three seasons. During his time there, he became a standout player, earning consensus third-team All-American honors and being named to the First Team All-Big Ten in his junior year before turning pro.
3. What is E.J. Liddell’s current contract situation with the Nets?
He is on a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. This deal allows the team to move him freely between the active NBA roster and their G-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, for development and depth.
4. How much did E.J. Liddell earn from his first NBA contract?
His initial contract with the New Orleans Pelicans was a three-year deal worth $6.2 million. The first two years were guaranteed, earning him approximately $2.8 million total despite his injury and limited playing time during that period.
5. Why was E.J. Liddell waived by the Phoenix Suns?
The Phoenix Suns waived him in August 2024 to clear a roster spot and manage their salary cap flexibility. He had arrived in Phoenix via a trade from Atlanta but was released before the season began, leading him to sign with Chicago.
