THE FLATS – Derrick Favors and Thaddeus Young look like they’ll both be wearing different uniforms next season in the NBA … Nigeria (Josh Okogie) and Japan (Avi Schafer) advance from group play at the Olympics … Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright begin pro careers in NBA Summer League … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OLYMPIC DREAMS STALL IN GROUP PLAY FOR OKOGIE, SCHAFER
Neither Nigeria nor Japan made it out of group play at the Olympics, each team losing all three games. Nigeria finished Group B play with an 80-71 loss to Italy on Saturday, while Japan fell to Argentina, 97-77, in its final game Sunday.
Josh Okogie played a total of 47 minutes across the D’Tigers’ three games, posting a high of 11 points against Australia. Avi Schafer totaled 29 minutes in three games for Japan, with a high of five points in 16 minutes against Spain.
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ALVARADO AND WRIGHT BEGIN PRO CAREERS IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
Jose Alvarado agreed to a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans after he wasn’t selected in the June 29 NBA draft. A two-way contract is a guaranteed deal in which the player plays for both the NBA team and its G League affiliate. It was worth $450,000 this past season, and each team is permitted two two-way players, meaning there are 60 such spots available. Players with three seasons of NBA service are less or eligible, meaning the pool of available players is sizable.
Moses Wright agreed to a deal to play for the Toronto Raptors team in the NBA Summer League after also going unselected in the draft. The Las Vegas Summer League runs from August 8-14, with each team playing five games, followed by playoffs.
Former Tech center James Banks III, who played his rookie season of professional basketball in Israel, has been named to the NBA Summer League roster for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
More in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chapter One.
New Orleans, Let’s Get to It. THANK YOU @pelicansnba “Beyond blessed” #UNDERDAWG pic.twitter.com/c3qmgseBiH— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) July 31, 2021
#CavsSummer Squad ☀️ pic.twitter.com/L2SNTiUe81
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 3, 2021
✏️ Congrats to our guy @1jamesbanks for signing to participate in the summer league for the Cavs!! #TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/L7QpPmXetN
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) August 4, 2021
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DERRICK FAVORS TRADED TO OKC AFTER DRAFT
On the day after the NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz traded veteran center Derrick Favors and a future first-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a future second-round draft pick and cash considerations. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and will allow Utah to fall about $13 million below the luxury tax. Doing so should help it fiscally in terms of trying to re-sign All-Star point guard Mike Conley.
Favors spent 10 of his 11 seasons with the Jazz and re-signed with Utah last offseason after spending the 2019-20 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He was originally moved in the 2019 offseason to help the Jazz acquire Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies, but returned to the Jazz as a free agent and served as Rudy Gobert’s primary backup.
The 2020-21 season was Favors’ worst statistically in the NBA, as he averaged 5.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game — averages that were on par or below his rookie season in 2010-11.
How the OKC Thunder benefit from the Derrick Favors trade
Always family 🖤
Thank you, @dfavors14 pic.twitter.com/qLrH5CHPtk
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) July 30, 2021
Welcome to OKC, Derrick!@dfavors14 | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/NxI2F5dxuH
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 30, 2021
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MULTIPLE REPORTS INDICATE THADDEUS YOUNG MOVING TO SPURS
The Spurs and Bulls have agreed on a sign-and-trade deal that will land DeRozan in Chicago on a three year, $85 million deal. The Spurs will acquire Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a protected first round pick, and two second round picks according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, Shams Charania of The Athletic and others.
According to CleaningTheGlass.com, Young spent most 57 percent of his time at the 5 last season with Chicago, but for most of his career he’s been a 4 at 6-8. Young, 33, is a 14-year NBA veteran who played in 68 games with the Bulls and averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Headed to the Spurs in the DeMar DeRozan deal is Thaddeus Young.
Reminder😉: Young and LeBron James are the only players in NBA history to play 1,000 career games and average 13 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 1.4 steals per game, 50% on field goals and 30% on 3-pointers pic.twitter.com/JNqwmZcFWv
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 3, 2021
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VINSON REMAINS MEMBER OF PELICANS STAFF FOR 12TH SEASON
Former Georgia Tech star Fred Vinson is on the staff of the New Orleans Pelicans for a 12th season, working under his fourth head coach. The Pelicans officially announced the full staff that will accompany new head coach Willie Green on Wednesday. Prior to joining the Pelicans, Vinson was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2007-09. In addition to his duties as an assistant coach, Vinson also served as director of player programs for the Clippers, where he was responsible for mentoring young players and easing their transition to the NBA. Vinson played 13 years of professional basketball, including two NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and Seattle SuperSonics. In addition to playing in the United States Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association and American Basketball Association, Vinson spent several years overseas with professional clubs in the Philippines, Israel, Venezuela, Poland and France. In 2003, Vinson was a member of the CBA Champion Yakima Sun Kings, in addition to being named a CBA All-Star that season. He also holds the record for most points in a game in Guaiqueries de Margarita (Venezuela) team history with 53.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
OUT TODAY 🚨 I’m sitting down with @NBA champion, All-Star and 2021 Hall of Famer, @chrisbosh to talk about teamwork, following your passion and building a champion mindset.
Listen NOW 🎧 👉 https://t.co/vNC1FiXmQy pic.twitter.com/rMZp1f7HhP— Chase Jarvis (@chasejarvis) August 4, 2021
Always a great time with @MrsAdrienneBosh, my brother @DwyaneWade and @itsgabrielleu.
Lots of laughs for us all! pic.twitter.com/sbFQhqncvX
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 3, 2021
Shhh 🤫 I’m staying! @NBATV @NBA @NBAonTNT SideLineShorty! 🔥🔥🔥
The Fever is real! pic.twitter.com/TrW4pOwaNE— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 4, 2021
Headed to the Red Carpet 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Fb80tX6zuT
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 30, 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 |
