THE FLATS – Moses Wright and Jose Alvarado keep their names in the NBA Draft as withdrawal deadline passes … Josh Okogie prepping for Tokyo Olympics along with the Nigerian team … Derrick Favors recap with the Jazz … Thaddeus Young key cog in Bulls future … Big3 gets rolling … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO, WRIGHT KEEP NAMES IN NBA DRAFT AS DEADLINE PASSES
Both Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright will now wait with anticipation on July 29 to hear their names called at the NBA Draft. Wednesday’s deadline to withdraw their names from the draft passed without either of them pulling out. While Wright made his intentions clear weeks ago Alvarado waited until Wednesday afternoon to declare his intention to move on.
While both players competed four years and graduated from Tech in May, both could have returned to the Jackets for a fifth year of eligibility afforded student-athletes due to COVID-19. Thus comes to an end two of the more improbably successful careers in Georgia Tech annals. Wright was voted the ACC Player of the Year last season, while Alvarado was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, leading the Jackets to the 2021 ACC Championship and the team’s first NCAA berth in 11 years.
Alvarado participated in the G League Elite Camp, while Wright was invited to the NBA Combine, both players performing well. Both players also have worked out with a number of NBA teams, Alvarado participating with the Phoenix Suns Wednesday before making his decision.
The latest top-1oo draft board published by 247Sports has Wright at No. 68 and Alvarado at No. 91, both below second-round projection.
Georgia Tech’s Jose Alvarado makes decision to stay in draft (Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Been Here Before, Nothing Else To Do But Double Down!” #UNDERDAWG I LOVE YOU GT WITH ALL MY HEART 🐝❤️ pic.twitter.com/4xOpAMZgw7
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) July 7, 2021
#NBA Jam 2021 🕹 pic.twitter.com/pvV8qhcjL2
— Andy Demetra 😷 (@AndyDemetra) July 8, 2021
Best 4 years of my life … THANK YOU ❤️ https://t.co/w5ilac6cHF
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) July 7, 2021
Thank you GT. Unforgettable Memories 💫 pic.twitter.com/OmCFbEzKIE
— Moses Wright (@mant12_) July 8, 2021
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FAVORS DRAWS MID-GRADE FROM BEAT WRITER
Derrick Favors was a popular fan favorite on his return to Utah last season, and he helped the Jazz to the best record in the Western Conference, but his team fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference semifinals.
Sarah Todd of the Deseret News gave a grade of C to Favors for his performance, writing “Favors was clearly an upgrade over Tony Bradley as a reserve center, but that’s a low bar to clear and shouldn’t be the standard for someone who is on a three-year, $29.2 million contract. There were some great moments throughout the season but they were few and far between.”
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MEN’S BASKETBALL FIELD SET FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS
The 12-team field is set for men’s basketball at the Tokyo Olympic Games after the final spots were secured in qualifying tournaments on Sunday. Opening ceremonies for the Tokyo Olympics will be held on Friday, July 23. Men’s basketball will tip off Sunday, July 25 and run through Saturday, August 7.
The United States is in Group A along with France, the Czech Republic and Iran. This U.S. roster will be led by Kevin Durant, who will be looking to win his third gold medal. Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Zach LaVine, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Jerami Grant, Bradley Beal and Kevin Love make up the rest of the roster.
The United States is looking for its fourth straight gold medal after defeating Serbia in the 2016 Olympic final in Rio.
Josh Okogie is a member of the Nigerian team that will compete in Grou B along with Australia, Italy and Germany. Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown leads the Nigerian national team, which will make its third straight appearance in the Olympics. Nigeria qualified as the highest-ranked African team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Nigeria will have a bevy of NBA players to choose from, as players like Okogie, Miami Heat forward Precious Achiuwa and Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris were invited to training camp. According to the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), the final roster will be announced on July 17, although Okogie has declared through social media that he will compete for Nigeria.
Josh Okogie. An all-world defender. @CallMe_NonStop 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/9rT40gO7iZ
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 8, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Josh Okogie and Metu Chimezie of Sacramento Kings will be making a return to the team following their exploits at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China where the youngsters helped Nigeria secure an Olympics ticket alongside Ike Iroegbu. pic.twitter.com/2CflEP6DiY
— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) July 6, 2021
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THADDEUS YOUNG PIVOTAL TO BULLS’ SUCCESS
Thomas Moody makes a strong argument in the Game Haus for the Chicago Bulls to keep Thaddeus Young beyond next season, when Young will become a free agent.
“Thaddeus Young, in his age 32 season, arguably had the best year of his career this past season. It seems like he has been in the league forever, but still shows signs of having a lot left in the tank. He finished with the highest field goal percentage and assists per game in his career. Young had never finished with more than 2.5 assists per game, but this past season he put up 4.3. He has changed the way he plays dramatically. He now is always on the lookout for cutters to the basket and shooters open on the perimeter. Whether he actually came up with it is unknown, but Bulls legendary announcer Stacy King has popularized the nickname “Thadgic Johnson” for Young’s newfound playmaking ability. This new playstyle brings so much value to this Bulls team in the present and hopefully the future.”
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HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT SCHEDULE SET
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the schedule of activities for Enshrinement Weekend for the Class of 2021, which includes Chris Bosh and 15 other honorees. The Enshrinement process will culminate with the Enshrinement Ceremony on Saturday, September 11 in Springfield, Mass. – the Birthplace of Basketball. The Class was revealed in May and includes a total of 16 honorees.
Enshrinement Weekend will begin at Mohegan Sun on Friday, September 10 with the headlining Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala. The Class of 2021 and over 50 returning Hall of Famers will then journey to Springfield, Mass. for the annual celebratory events taking place at the newly renovated Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Springfield’s MassMutual Center.
Tickets for the 2021 Enshrinement Ceremony and all Enshrinement events are on sale now and available online at www.hoophall.com or by calling the Basketball Hall of Fame at (413) 231-5513. As the health and safety of Hall of Famers, fans and staff is of the utmost importance, the Basketball Hall of Fame is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will provide appropriate health and safety measures for all events.
For more information and the latest updates, visit www.hoophall.com/Enshrinement or follow @hoophall on Twitter and Instagram.
Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who has been on this journey with me. Basketball has been one of the greatest gifts allotted to me in this life. This honor is my legacy. Thank you @Hoophall, @nba + to every one of you that has supported me throughout my career. ☝🏿 pic.twitter.com/iH2UW87drv
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) May 16, 2021
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BYNUM, JACK PLAYING IN BIG3 THIS SUMMER
Former Yellow Jacket teammates Will Bynum and Jarrett Jack, who led Georgia Tech to the brink of a national championship in 2004, are both competing this summer in the Big 3, the summer 3-on-3 league featuring many former NBA stars that begins its 8-week regular season this weekend. The teams will play in Las Vegas and New Orleans, concluding with the playoffs in early September in the Bahamas.
Bynum returns to his Bivouac team where he starred in 2019, while Jack has joined Trilogy, essentially replacing another former Jacket, Dion Glover.
Will Bynum is a nightmare to guard! Sheesh! @12Thrill pic.twitter.com/xDw0m7InmM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 22, 2020
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#ProJackets on Social Media
#LettersToAYoungAthlete available! https://t.co/3jOmRxlp3b pic.twitter.com/Hjv1eMp9Oa
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 7, 2021
Melo. Bron. DWade. Bosh. An entire special issue about one of the most iconic classes ever. SLAM Presents ’03 DRAFT is out now.
Original: https://t.co/tLz0eGsBmP
Black Metal: https://t.co/ZDR2VrUhOA
Gold Metal: https://t.co/AWVIMboYb4 pic.twitter.com/cbaUqtjFrL— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 7, 2021
“I wouldn’t say I’m comfortable with losing, but I’m well acquainted. You have to be if you’re an athlete. Or if you want to do anything big. Losing is still your enemy, but you learn how to live with it once you put the swords away.”#LettersToAYoungAthlete pic.twitter.com/TPWtnuUG2o
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 5, 2021
Go watch it on @PrimeVideo its a good documentary ! @MrChibbs pic.twitter.com/eWzrMvyeXp
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) July 7, 2021
Check Dem What? #GrillDaddyIsBack Happy 4th What your Grill look like?
👁🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/AHoalwiOYF— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 4, 2021
Every step of Will Bynum’s journey has taught him something new.
On how @12Thrill‘s relationships over time changed him from somebody who was competing against everyone to uplifting them in the process, and led him to his passion of training. https://t.co/7Tb9HqXz8p
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) March 6, 2021
#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 |
