THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright complete successful NBA Summer League schedule with the New Orleans Pelicans … Thaddeus Young pens heartfelt message to Bulls fans … Chris Bosh asks Ray Allen to present him at Basketball Hall of Fame induction … Anthony Morrow joins OKC staff … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO AND WRIGHT SHINE FOR PELICANS IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright helped lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a perfect 5-0 record in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League. Alvarado, who signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans following the June 29 NBA draft, averaged 14,1 minutes, 4.4 points and 2.0 assists. Wright, who first signed a summer league contract with the Toronto Raptors before joining the Pelicans, averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.5 minutes.
Former Tech center James Banks III, who played his rookie season of professional basketball in Israel, played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Las Vegas, averaging 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.1 minutes.
Crashing a @GTMBB reunion out at Summer League @mant12_ @AlvaradoJose15 @1jamesbanks pic.twitter.com/oGwAQwnEUD
— Larry Lacksen (@larrylacksen) August 14, 2021
So blessed, just signed !! LET’S GO PELICANS !!!
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) August 19, 2021
Jose Alvarado ➡ Daulton Hommes 😤@PelicansNBA get creative for the fastbreak slam on NBA TV! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/KbHcV0oJc0
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2021
Red Hot Moses Wright recaps the first half of the game. Pels up 41-22 😎 pic.twitter.com/SJqi2u8OaR
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 18, 2021
MOSES WRIGHT IS HEATING UP 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/iZoNIMJIAk
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 18, 2021
Marshall 🤝 Wright DUNK#SummerPelicans | 📺: NBATV pic.twitter.com/I4r2rZwovD
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 18, 2021
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HOW JOSE ALVARADO’S ENERGY WILL HELP THE PELICANS
Checking in at six-foot, 179 lbs not much was expected of Jose Alvarado when the New Orleans Pelicans announced their Summer League roster. Looking at his listed height and weight alone ignores what Alvarado has done to this point in his career. During his four years at Georgia Tech, he averaged nearly 35 minutes and 13 points per game.
The scoring may seem low for someone playing that many minutes but Alvarado’s real impact came on the defensive end. In the 2020-21 season alone, he had 74 steals in just 26 games (2.8 per game). This vaulted him to earning the 2020-21 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award, along with finishing on the ACC First-Team All-Defense and All-ACC Second-Team for the 2020-21 season.
Those honors more than back up what we’ve seen in Summer League so far. Watching any of the Pelicans games so far and you’ll be drawn to the undersized guard who comes in and immediately wreaks havoc in opposing backcourts. His relentless attacking of the ballhandler has opposing guards looking to move the ball sooner than they’d like to.
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THAD YOUNG PENS HEARTFELT FAREWELL TO BULLS FANS
Days after the Chicago Bulls included him in the sign-and-trade agreement that is poised to net DeMar DeRozan from the Spurs, Thad Young delivered a lengthy farewell message to fans on Instagram.
“Thank you all for embracing my family and me the past 2 years!” Young wrote, in part. “When I signed there (with the Bulls) I envisioned us all as a family rising together back to contending. I tried my best to honor that during my time there by giving you my all.”
Young’s signing with the team in July 2019 was widely lauded because of his reputation as a productive, cerebral veteran, and across two seasons in Chicago, he lived up to that.
The San Antonio Spurs agreed to a sign-and-trade deal revolving around former NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan, sending the former All-Star to the Chicago Bulls on a new three-year, $85M deal, and in the process, the Spurs received Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a future first-round pick and two second-round picks from the Bulls.
Thad Young has now been in the NBA for 14 seasons and he is coming off a very strong year in Chicago. During the 2020-21 season, Young averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and shot 55.9% from the floor, making him a versatile big man who can do a lot of things to help his team win.
View this post on Instagram
You will always be Thagic to us.
Thanks for everything, @yungsmoove21! pic.twitter.com/OQyd7dpg90
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 13, 2021
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YOUNG IS “PERFECT VET” FOR SPURS
The San Antonio Spurs’ recent sign-and-trade deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Chicago Bulls was generally well-received by Spurs fans. While the main draw of that deal was the three draft picks that the Spurs received in return, an underrated aspect of the trade was the inclusion of veteran power forward Thaddeus Young.
Young is coming off a strong season in which he averaged an impressive 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a career-high 4.3 assists in just 24.3 minutes per game. He also shot a career-high 55.9 percent from the field.
The additions of Young and Doug McDermott provide the Spurs with two solid options at power forward next season. Young, in particular, could have a strong impact on an increasingly younger roster following the departure of veterans Rudy Gay, DeRozan, and Patty Mills.
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MORROW GETS STAFF POSITION WITH OKC THUNDER
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced a handful of front office changes, including the hiring of former Georgia Tech and OKC star Anthony Morrow, who will serve in the role of Lifestyle Services and Engagement Associate for the 2021-22 season.
The Thunder also promoted former player Nick Collison to special assistant to the executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, and hired another alumnus, Eric Maynor, who is moving from the Blue staff to the Thunder staff as a player development coach.
These signings further the history of Oklahoma City utilizing former Thunder players within the organization as staff members. Along with Collison, Morrow and Maynor are Nazr Mohammed (Oklahoma City Blue General Manager) and Mike Wilks (Thunder Assistant Coach).
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RAY ALLEN TO INDUCT CHRIS BOSH INTO BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Chris Bosh will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September, and he has made an interesting choice about the person to induct him. Traditionally, the new inductees can choose Hall of Famers to represent them during the program. Some of these presenters may share a story about their relationships or anecdotes. So when Bosh chose Ray Allen and Pat Riley to be his presenters, some were a bit surprised, but most people noticed this would add a unique twist to the ceremony.
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Could not think of a better opportunity to get the boys looking right with their first ever custom fitted suits than for dad’s @Hoophall ceremony.
Getting to share these small moments with my kids leading up to the big day is an incredible joy #BoshHOF #21hoopclass pic.twitter.com/XQAoOXWlni
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 18, 2021
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Eurobasket Pro Yellow Jackets Update
#1. Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays pro in Puerto Rico) could not help Atleticos de San German in their last game. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Atleticos de San German lost109-105on the road to the lower-ranked (#5) Cariduros in the Group A. Aminu was the top scorer with 36 points. He also added 8 rebounds and made 3 blocks in 41 minutes. Aminu has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 17.1ppg, 8.4rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2bpg and 1.4spg in 14 games he played so far.
#2. Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91, graduated ’12, plays in Nicaragua) was the major contributor in a Real Esteli’s victory against the league outsider Indigenas (0-2) crushing them 97-46 in the Nicaraguan LSB last Saturday. Rice Jr. recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 4 assists. It was his first game for Real Esteli this season. His team is placed second in the LSB. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
#3. Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98, graduated ’21, currently in the NBA) led New Orleans Pelicans to an easy victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1) crushing them 87-59 in the NBA Summer League on Tuesday night. He recorded 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 22 minutes. The New Orleans Pelicans have 31-41 record this season. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA Summer League. This year Wright averages 7.2ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.4bpg in five games.
#4. Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98, graduated ’21, plays pro in the NBA) is a teammate of previously mentioned Moses Wright. But that was another game of his team in NBA Summer League which we would like to mention. Alvarado contributed to a New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (2-3) 87-74. He scored 8 points. The New Orleans Pelicans have 31-41 record this season. This year Alvarado averages 4.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.0apg and 1.4spg.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91) played for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) signed for Fethiye in Turkish TBL
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98) played for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) signed for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in French Jeep ELITE ProA
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92) signed for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket in Turkish BSL
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-94) played for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) signed for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in German ProA
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88) signed for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in French Jeep ELITE ProA
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) signed for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Joshua Heath (6’2”-PG-94) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian BNXT League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) played for Focsani in Romanian Liga Nationala
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83) played for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) played for Miercurea Ciuc in Romanian Liga Nationala
- James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Team Miami in the Eurobasket S.League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93) plays for Team 23 in the The Basketball Tournament
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-83) plays for Bivouac in the Big3
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) plays for Trilogy in the Big3
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) played for E.Netanya in Israeli Winner League
#ProJackets on Social Media
Today is our 9th anniversary! @yungsmoove21 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TywDrX7avi
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) August 18, 2021
Another great day with the Rooks! #Class2021 SideLineShorty! pic.twitter.com/buhBKfNCC8
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 12, 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 |
