THE FLATS – Josh Okogie strives to build a winning culture for Nigeria Basketball … Updates on Okogie and Avi Schafer in the Olympics … Rumors swirling regarding Derrick Favors’ future in Utah … Jose Alvarado reflects on staying in the NBA Draft … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE STRIVES TO BUILD WINNING CULTURE WITHIN NIGERIA BASKETBALL
He might have been born in Lagos, Nigeria but since he was three years old, Josh Okogie was a Georgia boy, growing up in the small rural town of Snellville, just outside of Atlanta. His basketball dreams were decidedly American. You know, first college ball, then the NBA.
Growing to 6’4″ (193 cm), he excelled in the game at Shiloh High School where his jersey now hangs in the rafters. Underrated by many scouts, he chose to stay close to home for college, playing at Georgia Tech where he proved them wrong, averaging over 16 points and 5 rebounds as a freshman, improving to 18 points per game as a sophomore.
Along the way, his success at Georgia Tech earned him a spot on the USA Basketball roster for the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup in Cairo where the Americans won a bronze medal. He reveled in the chance to represent the country that he called home.
- Read more from FIBA.com
- Okogie and Co. target Olympic history for Africa on Tokyo’s courts (Olympics.com)
- A trip to Nigeria 10 years ago led to Josh Okogie’s Olympic appearance (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
🗣 “We have to set the standard on how Nigerian basketball is going to be played.” @CallMe_NonStop strives to build a winning culture within @NigeriaBasket 🇳🇬!#Tokyo2020 I #Basketball
— FIBA #Tokyo2020 (@FIBA) July 27, 2021
Brewster Academy alum Avi Schafer ’17 had 5 points, 2 rebounds, & 2 blocks in 16 minutes for Japan 🇯🇵 in a 88-77 loss to Spain 🇪🇸 in #Olympics action on Monday. pic.twitter.com/Ij95Z5JFhF
— Jason Smith (@BrewsterHoops) July 26, 2021
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OLYMPICS MEN’S BASKETBALL UPDATE
Nigeria has lost its first two games in pool play, first to Australia Sunday by a score of 84-67, then to Germany Wednesday by a 99-92 decision. Josh Okogie scored 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor and 5-of-5 from the foul line in 23 minutes, earning FIBA’s “top performer” recognition. He was held scoreless by the German team in just 13 minutes of action. After losing its first two contests, Nigeria faces long odds to advance out of Group B into the quarterfinals. They will wrap up preliminary play on Saturday (12:40 a.m. EDT) against Italy in a matchup that could prove to be meaningless.
- Okogie, Nigeria Fall to Australia in Olympic Opener
- Okogie, Nigeria Fall to Germany in Olympic Play
- PHOTOS: Okogie Makes Olympic Debut
Former Tech walk-on Avi Schafer scored five points (2-5 FG) with two rebounds in 16 minutes as Japan lost to Spain, 88-77, on Monday. Japan lost, 116-81, Thursday to Slovenia as Schafer went scoreless in 11 minutes, and finish group competition Sunday against Argentina.
- Follow Olympic men’s basketball
- Pittsburgh expat now an Olympian dad in Japan (Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle)
STARTING LINEUP vs. Germany. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/i5WG4cGIsX
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball #Tokyo2020 (@NigeriaBasket) July 28, 2021
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ALVARADO REFLECTS ON DECISION TO STAY IN DRAFT
It was three years ago, but Jose Alvarado said he remembers being a guest at Josh Okogie’s draft party like it was yesterday.
“It was his day, but it was more like he made it for everybody,” Alvarado told the AJC. “He made a feeling that I just wanted to have eventually on my own.”
On the evening of June 21, 2018, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected the Georgia Tech guard – Alvarado’s running mate – with the 20th overall pick of the NBA draft. Thursday, with memories of that night spurring him for the past three years, Alvarado will have his own draft-night celebration with friends and family in New York.
Alvarado recognizes that he’s most likely not going to be a top-20 pick like Okogie, but he’s counting on landing with a team, either through the draft or as a free agent.
Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) thinks the defense he showed while with @GTMBB is what will entice a team to select him.#GoldOnTheClock pic.twitter.com/VNd2eFbkIB
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) July 16, 2021
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THADDEUS YOUNG TALKS LONGEVITY, HIS BUSINESS EMPIRE AND MORE
Chicago Bulls veteran forward Thaddeus Young stops by Posted Up with Chris Haynes for a conversation about his 14-year career, his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable big men and how building a business empire behind the scenes has always been important to him since the night he was drafted in 2007.
Chris and Thaddeus talk about emerging tech platforms like Clubhouse, Thaddeus’ venture capital pursuits, a fight he witnessed between his teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers and how a scary bout with MRSA sidelined the start of his 2020-2021 season.
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COULD DERRICK FAVORS BE PART OF A DRAFT NIGHT DEAL?
Multiple outlets nave speculated that the Utah Jazz may be willing to trade a veteran player, such as Derrick Favors, to acquire draft picks ahead of Thursday night’s NBA Draft…
Matt Moore of the Action Network reported the Jazz were anxious to trade Derrick Favors just one year after signing him to a three-year, nearly $30 million contract. However, due to his lack of production, the Jazz may have to attach an asset like a first-round pick with Favors’ in a trade to get out from underneath his contract.
From the Deseret News: The Jazz could put together the 30th pick and Derrick Favors in exchange for a player that could help the roster, in order to clear a roster spot, or to turn around and trade what they get back for something even better.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Josh Okogie suited and ready to rock the world pic.twitter.com/WGaTt6zX8u
— #NBBF (@nbbfonline) July 24, 2021
Whether you support the Tokyo Olympics or not, it is a special day for the thousands of athletes who have dedicated their lives to achieving excellence in sport. Our family is so proud of @avi_schafer for making his dream come true and being one of those special few. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/JGlyaUKCQN
— Douglas Schafer (@deschafer1010) July 23, 2021
Congrats @avi_schafer ‼️ https://t.co/jfZryhoTHR
— かいと002#0 #21 (@0401kaito002) July 26, 2021
Game day!
待ちに待ったスペイン戦！
頑張ってきます💪#OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/xf760LZ6mF— シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer (@avi_schafer) July 26, 2021
Thad puts his 💵 to work. Learn more about @yungsmoove21’s extensive portfolio at https://t.co/dqtfqDQvYK now! pic.twitter.com/yT4NtFcFNZ
— OSDB (@OSDBSports) July 27, 2021
📸: Chris Bosh • 2003 NBA Draft
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Watch the 2021 #NBADraft on July 29th at 8 PM/ET on Sportsnet & TSN. pic.twitter.com/fdfzbOqTap— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) July 26, 2021
Working out for the #LakeShow today: Moses Wright pic.twitter.com/1DPiBO48Mq
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 27, 2021
Working out for the #LakeShow today: Jose Alvarado pic.twitter.com/6Gmpe8t9Lv
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 27, 2021
31 years ago! Geesh time flies, this kid from the DMV, went to NYC to hear his name called. Then was dreaming about being like James Brown & George Michaels.
Sports Machine #DMV #FactsAlert NBA Draft 2021 @NBA @NBATV pic.twitter.com/a66aCR0OxQ— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 28, 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 |
