THE FLATS – Josh Okogie thrilled to be representing Nigeria in the Tokyo Olympics … Former Tech walk-on Avi Schafer has found success as a pro in Japan and represents his country in the Olympics … What is the future of Derrick Favors in Utah … Jose Alvarado pre-draft scouting report … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE READY FOR A BREAKOUT AT TOKYO OLYMPICS
Josh Okogie is a key cog for a Nigeria team that beat Team USA last week in an exhibition game.
Okogie, born in Lagos, Nigeria before his family moved to the United States when he was a child, has had an up-and-down three years in the NBA since the Wolves selected him with the No. 20 pick the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Georgia Tech product has established himself as Minnesota’s premier perimeter defender but has struggled to improve his offensive game as a pro.
The Olympics are a huge opportunity for Okogie. He’s one of the best players on a Nigerian team that has a chance to shock the world and compete for a medal. A good showing at the Olympics could help Okogie take another step towards becoming a winning role player in the NBA.
Olympic men’s basketball begins July 25. Nigeria’s first game in pool play is against Australia, the only team to beat the D’Tigers in their three-game exhibition series in Las Vegas.
- Nigeria names eight NBA stars in Tokyo 2020 men’s basketball squad
- Okogie talks about representing Team Nigeria in the Olympics in Tokyo (Fox9)
- Wolves’ Josh Okogie thrilled to be playing for Nigeria in Olympics
After about a month camping exercise in Sacramento and Las Vegas, D’Tigers head coach, Mike Brown selected Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Miami Heat’s trio of Gabe Vincent, KZ Okpala and Precious Achiuwa. pic.twitter.com/Q6r1fogvE3
— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) July 19, 2021
We have moved on from the loss against Australia- Josh Okogie @CallMe_NonStop pic.twitter.com/JSWBfn9Zlu
— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) July 16, 2021
“Our whole focus is just trying to win this medal.” 🏀
Josh Okogie opens up about his desire to make Olympic history for Nigeria 🇳🇬 & the whole African continent at #Tokyo2020.#StrongerTogether | @FIBA @Timberwolves https://t.co/jD3XjTYvAB
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 16, 2021
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FORMER TECH WALK-ON AVI SCHAFER ON JAPAN NATIONAL TEAM
Avi Koki Schafer is sometimes listed at 6-foot-10. With that height, you would think he has played basketball his entire life. But the Japanese Jewish athlete didn’t get into the sport until he was 16. Just seven years later, the 23-year-old will be playing for Japan in the country’s home Olympics.
Schafer, whose mom is Japanese and dad is Jewish American, grew up in Japan but spent his senior year of high school playing for Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before going on to play Division I basketball at Georgia Tech for two years.
He left his sophomore year to go pro in Japan and since 2019 has played professionally in his native country.
“When I came back to Japan from the United States and decided to become a professional in Japan, I made the decision with an eye on the Olympics,” he said shortly after being selected to the team. “It is held in my home country and I want to show Japanese people what I can do.”
Japan’s first game in the Olympics is July 26 against Spain.
埼玉でも沢山の応援ありがとうございました！🇯🇵🏀
待ちに待った本番！頑張ってきます！🔥 pic.twitter.com/uVYQrYE77N
— シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer (@avi_schafer) July 19, 2021
日本の新たな武器！！
#32 シェーファーの3Pシュート👌@avi_schafer📺日本テレビ系列地上波で生中継
📡バスケットLIVEで生配信中https://t.co/tIYGRZSqJn#SoftBankカップ#AkatsukiFive#GONOW pic.twitter.com/KQUdkfJbbr— バスケットボール日本代表 (@JAPAN_JBA) July 18, 2021
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WHAT IS DERRICK FAVORS’ FUTURE WITH THE JAZZ?
Matt Moore of the Action Network reported a series of rumors surrounding the Utah Jazz in his latest offseason article.
In the report, Moore wrote that the Jazz are anxious to move Derrick Favors just one year after signing him to a three-year, nearly $30 million contract. Favors, who turned 30 just last week has considerable wear on his tires after joining the NBA as a 19-year-old.
The big man was relegated to bench duty behind Rudy Gobert in his second stint with the Jazz and averaged just 15 minutes per game. With both Gobert and Donovan Mitchell having max contracts kick in this offseason, finding places to save money will be key for the Jazz luxury tax bill, which could leave Favors as the odd man out.
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NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT: JOSE ALVARADO
Jose Alvarado was the heart and soul of the Georgia Tech basketball program over the past four seasons. All of his blood, sweat and tears finally paid off when the Yellow Jackets won the ACC Tournament in his senior season this spring. Alvarado is not the prototypical NBA prospect, but after a standout senior campaign, he’s getting more attention from those in NBA circles than many once thought.
ESPN has Alvarado comfortably inside their top 100 prospects, where the guard ranks as their No. 79 ranked player for the 2021 class. A four-year starter for Georgia Tech, Alvarado has an array of skills that may be valuable to an NBA team.
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IN THE BIG 3 AND TBT
Former Yellow Jacket Jarrett Jack has averaged 12.5 points for Trilogy and helped his team win both of its games so far. Will Bynum has averaged 15.5 points in two games, but his Bivouac team is 0-2.
At least two former Yellow jackets are competing for different teams in this summer’s edition of The Basketball Tournament. Charles Mitchell, who has played professionally overseas since his two-year Georgia Tech career (2014-16) is playing for Team23. Glen Rice, Jr., who suited up for the Jackets from 2010-12, is playing for TeamDRC.
The TBT is a 64-team, single-elimination tournament in its eighth year where the winning team takes home $1 million. Application to play is open to anyone, and the games take place during July and August, airing on ESPN.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Patrick Williams is out there grinding with Thaddeus Young and Pacers big man Myles Turner 💪
(🎥 patwilliams on insta) pic.twitter.com/foR6hNw77t
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 21, 2021
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/i9lYRwxNIJ
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) July 16, 2021
🙏🏾💫🤙🏾 https://t.co/OfuATdjRyE
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) July 16, 2021
“Getting smart is not an accident, just like getting strong isn’t one either.” #LettersToAYoungAthlete pic.twitter.com/kFI4UTk9BX
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) July 19, 2021
“How an athlete plays when they’re exhausted tells you everything about who they are…” Loving me some @chrisbosh #letterstoayoungathlete #summerreading #mustread pic.twitter.com/FGgLVVBnBR
— Ms. Pach (@Ms_Pach) July 12, 2021
Shhh 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/UC5diZwPsu
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 21, 2021
65,000 crazy bucks fans! #LeaveIt is it over? #TheFinals Deer 🦌 District! pic.twitter.com/vBfMroywLF
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 21, 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 |
