THE FLATS – Moses Wright talks about his adaptation to his Olympiacos team and return to the NBA … Jose Alvarado plays well in his return from an oblique injury … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
WRIGHT TALKS ADAPTATION TO OLYMPIACOS, NBA GOALS
Since joining Olympiacos Piraeus after the halfway mark of the season, Moses Wright has had a tremendous impact on the team, helping them to a 9-1 run since joining.
Having previously played for NBA teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks and having started the season with Turkish team Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket, Wright had a unique path to the EuroLeague and Olympiacos.
In an interview Greek television program “Jump Ball,” the big man explained his adaptation process and his goal of making it back to the NBA.
“I’m a rookie here. In Turkey, where I played, things were different. It was a different job; they expected different things from me,” Wright explained about his brief stint with Merkezefendi.
“But at Olympiacos, from the first day, I worked hard and found my role and the transition was easier. I keep working hard, and the more I score baskets, the more I find my rhythm,” he explained.
“I’m happy to be here, and the team is giving me the opportunity to go up and play in the NBA, but that’s a secondary goal,” Wright concluded, stating that a return to the NBA is not high on the priority list for him.
With Olympiacos, Wright is averaging 10 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 12.1 PIR. On April 4, he made a crucial shot in a victory against Crvena Zvezda, scoring a three-pointer while the score was tied, and there were 24 seconds until the end of the game.
Moses Wright after hitting a dagger 3-pointer vs Red Star to give Olympiacos the win🐕🔥 pic.twitter.com/2c8n8JooC2
— Zaf Report(Parody Account) (@ZafeiReport) April 4, 2024
Moses Wright parting the Red Sea #EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/OS1Mptu3pg
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) April 4, 2024
ALVARADO SHINES IN RETURN TO ACTION SUNDAY
Jose Alvarado (oblique) tallied 15 points (5-10 FG, 5-8 3Pt), three rebounds and one steal across 22 minutes Sunday in the Pelicans’ 113-105 win over the Suns.
Given that he had missed the Pelicans’ previous five games with a right oblique strain, Alvarado was expected to face some restrictions Sunday, but he ended up exceeding his season average of 17.8 minutes per contest. Alvarado may continue to have a path to a 20-plus-minute role until the Pelicans get Brandon Ingram (knee) back from injury, likely at some point during the upcoming week.
From CBSSports.com
“Jose is a doggone Tasmanian Devil on the floor… He is causing all kinds of ruckus on the floor. That’s who he is.”
— Willie Green on Jose Alvarado’s energy pic.twitter.com/51aQgmzIe0
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) April 8, 2024
Jose Alvarado couldn’t believe he was called for a foul on this play.
Good or bad call? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/niTCLphGF7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 7, 2024
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Royce O’Neale Isaiah Thomas Josh Okogie and Thaddeus Young in 3-point shooting contest after shootaround. #Suns pic.twitter.com/s7RLUCxdbx
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 9, 2024
Josh Okogie being an absolute menace on defense 😈 pic.twitter.com/a9TdmGzXhE
— Steez (@obvious1steve) April 9, 2024
We Here!
Late Night Hoops & Entertainment! ✅🎥🏀💯🔥@TaylorRooks 1am @truTV pic.twitter.com/NHIxiSremC— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 10, 2024
Show Time! @NBATV Wolves visit Lakers.
🎥 Shooters Paradise! pic.twitter.com/tJ9vZ3a5Sy— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 8, 2024
April 4, 1990:#Cavs 101 | Hawks 95
A career-high 20 assists for @Mark25Price!
Mark: 14 pts, 20 asts@BradDaugherty43: 24 pts, 13 rbs
Hot Rod (RIP): 20 pts, 6 rbs, 4 blks (off the bench!)#LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/8bLQvlwGoA— Across The Cavs (@AcrossCavs) April 4, 2024
Play-in seeding is on the line tonight vs. the Heat.@putemupcdukes | @BrianOliver1313 pic.twitter.com/rMXoFkVzRw
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) April 9, 2024
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
Georgia Tech Eurobasket Report
Yellow Jackets currently playing pro basketball
Moses Wright (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-21, plays pro in Greece) led his Greek team Olympiacos to a 3-point victory over the 16th-ranked Crvena Zvezda (11-22) 89-86 in the Euroleague on Thursday night. He was MVP of the game. Wright scored 20 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in a mere 17 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his third season in pro basketball. Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (21-12) is placed fifth in the Euroleague. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. They will play only one more game in the Euroleague Regular Season. And that game will be critical. This season Wright averages 10.0ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.4spg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays in Spain) led Draemland Gran Canaria to a victory against the seventh-ranked Valencia (16-11) 79-71 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night’s game. Lammers scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Draemland Gran Canaria (1-2) is placed third in the Liga Endesa. It’s Lammers’ first season with the team. This year he averages 8.2ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.3bpg in 27 games he played so far.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, currently in Greece), who plays in the Greek GBL could not help Lavrio (9-15) in their game last Sunday. Despite his very good performance the second-placed Lavrio (9-15) was defeated 95-88 at home by the lower-ranked Karditsas (#4) in the Losers Stage group. Moore recorded 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 26 minutes. The Second Stage already ended. It’s Moore’s first season with the team. This year he averages 9.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, plays pro in Spain) contributed to a Surne Bilbao Basket’s victory against the league leader Chemnitz (5-1) 82-73 in the FIBA Europe Cup on Wednesday night. He scored 9 points and had 3 steals. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Surne Bilbao Basket (5-1) is placed first in the FIBA Europe Cup. Smith has relatively good stats this year 11.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.7apg and 1.1spg in 16 games.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) was the major contributor in a Spirou Basket Charleroi’s victory against the closely-ranked Zwolle (1-3) 78-72 in the BNXT League in Sunday night’s game. Heath scored 14 points and added 5 passes in 31 minutes. Spirou Basket Charleroi (3-2) is placed fifth in the BNXT League. This season Heath averages 8.2ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.3apg and 1.2spg.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, currently in Estonia) was not able to help Parnu in their game against Kalev/Cramo in the Lat-Est BL. Alston recorded 5 points and added 4 assists. His team lost 77-83. This year Alston averages 6.8ppg, 1.6rpg and 2.8apg in five games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays pro in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Phoenix Suns in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Okogie scored 5 points in 14 minutes. His team were crushed by 25 points 128-103 in the NBA. This season Okogie averages 4.8ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.1apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, plays in Serbia) couldn’t help Borac CA in their game against Mornar in the ABA League. He recorded 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. His team was edged 80-78. Franklin has relatively good stats this year 10.2ppg and 6.2rpg in 25 games.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, currently in Kuwait) helped his Kuwaiti team Kuwait win their game against the closely-ranked Kazma crushing them 122-79 in a derby game in the West Asia Super League last Tuesday. Georges-Hunt scored 17 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 27 minutes. Georges-Hunt has relatively good stats this season 14.3ppg, 4.7rpg and 3.9apg. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Tochigi Brex in the Japanese B1 League. He cannot count Saturday’s game as one of the best ones. Schafer scored only 2 points. His team lost 78-88. This year Schafer averages 1.9ppg and 2.9rpg in 14 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Other former Georgia Tech alumni who play in pro basketball:
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Beirut Club in Lebanese LBL
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22) plays for Perth Wildcats in Australian NBL
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994, played in 2014-18) played for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA last year
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Chihuahua Dorados in Mexican LBE
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Sigortam.net in Turkish TBL
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Plateros de Fresnillo in Mexican LNBP
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) played for Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnamese VBA last year
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
