Pelle was born in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to Norvel Sr. and Darlene Pelle. When Pelle was three years old, his family moved to Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, and when he was seven, they moved to United States for better work opportunities. His father was a welder, while his mother managed the garden center at a Home Depot store.
In his freshman season, Pelle played basketball for Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, where he was touted as one of the top recruits in his class. His school was located near his family's residence in Long Beach, California. As a sophomore, Pelle transferred to Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, California, playing under head coach Duane Cooper. After Cooper was dismissed from the team, Pelle revealed plans to move to a different high school program. He moved to Frederick K. C. Price High School in Los Angeles but was sidelined for his junior season due to transfer rules. Despite his absence, the team won the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA championship, led by Allen Crabbe and Richard Solomon. With three games left in his senior campaign, Pelle was averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game. In his high school career, Pelle was ranked as high as the No. 1 center in his class by recruiting service Rivals. He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports. Despite his success on the court, he struggled in the classroom, achieving only a 2.6 grade-point average and failing to meet college entrance exam requirements two times. After joining St. John's at the NCAA Division I level, he was ruled ineligible for taking summer classes at Northeast Preparatory School in Philadelphia. He decommitted from the program, signing a letter of intent with Iona, but was again ruled academically ineligible. He then played for Los Angeles College Preparatory Academy.
Professional career
Delaware 87ers (2013–2014)
After ultimately skipping college, Pelle entered the 2013 NBA draft, attempting to become the first draftee without college or international experience since 2005. However, he withdrew days prior because of severe blisters and warts on his foot that had to be surgically removed. Later in the year, he was selected as the sixth overall pick at the 2013 NBA Development League draft by the Delaware 87ers. In the 2013–14 season with the 87ers, Pelle averaged 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 18 points on December 11, 2013 against the Idaho Stampede.
Dacin Tigers (2014–2015)
On July 29, 2014, Pelle signed with the Dacin Tigers of the Taiwanese Super Basketball League. In 30 games with the team, he averaged 15.3 points and 14.2 rebounds. Pelle had a notable performance in December 2014 versus Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Basketball, posting a double-double of 27 points and 26 rebounds. He was named to the SBL All-Star Game and earned All-SBL honorable mention accolades from basketball website Asia-Basket.
Delaware 87ers (2015)
On March 10, 2015, Pelle returned to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League but played only four games in the 2014–15 season. His best performance came on March 20 against the Erie BayHawks, recording 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He averaged 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Homenetmen Beirut (2015–2016)
On December 14, 2015, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League. On January 20, 2016, Pelle only scored 3 points but grabbed 23 rebounds in a 96-88 win over the Al Moutahed. After 32 games, he averaged 11.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and a league-high 2.9 blocks per game. Pelle joined the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association at the 2016 Orlando Pro Summer League.
Pallacanestro Varese (2016–2018)
On July 28, 2016, Pelle signed a two-year contract with Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A. Upon his arrival, head coach Paolo Moretti said, "The qualities of Pelle that have most impressed me are his explosive strength, aggressiveness and athleticism." Pelle played for the Miami Heat at the 2017 NBA Summer League in both Orlando and Las Vegas.
After the season concluded, Pelle competed for the Philadelphia 76ers at 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game through five contests. He later joined the 76ers for training camp. On October 10, 2018, Pelle was waived. He signed with the Delaware Blue Coats for their training camp roster. On January 23, 2019, Pelle was suspended for five games without pay for violating the G League's Anti-Drug program.
Homenetmen Beirut (2019)
On March 30, 2019, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League for the remainder of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers (2019–present)
On July 2, 2019, Pelle signed with the Philadelphia 76ers with a two-way contract. On February 7, 2020 his deal was converted to a standard contract.
Pelle is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Lebanon, and the United States but represents Lebanon at the international level. He debuted for them at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, averaging 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, en route to a 6th-place finish. Against the Philippines, he nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks.
