THE FLATS – Chris Bosh earned raves reviews for his enshrinement speech Saturday at the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony … James Banks III gets invite to Pelicans’ training camp … What’s in store for Thaddeus Young and Derrick Favors with their new teams? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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CHRIS BOSH HOF SPEECH WAS MASTER CLASS IN CLOSURE
Chris Bosh stole the show Saturday at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, though it was hard to shake the thought that he shouldn’t have been there at all.
Of course, the Olympic gold medalist, two-time champion and 11-time all-star was a deserving selection. While Bosh was subjected to mockery and nitpicking throughout his prime — chatter that was largely influenced by his decision to team up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat — there was no debating his worthiness. The Texas native averaged 20 points per game six times, served as a franchise player for the Toronto Raptors and made an effortless transition to become an ideal third wheel for the Heat.
Read more in the Washington Post
- Respect the name: Why soon-to-be Hall of Famer Chris Bosh is Dallas’ best basketball player ever – Dallas Morning News, September 10, 2021
- A man for all seasons: Chris Bush was everything and anything he needed to be – Heat.com, September 10, 2021
- Chris Bosh took unique path to Hall of Fame, but he arrives at peace – Miami Herald, September 9, 2021
Chris Bosh spoke on turning setbacks into strengths during his @Hoophall induction speech! 💯 pic.twitter.com/aYcok6vy7Y
— NBA (@NBA) September 14, 2021
A new ring and jacket for a Georgia Tech great, Chris Bosh as he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. 🐝🏀 #21HoopClass pic.twitter.com/HCbZQSkPuB
— Georgia Tech (@GeorgiaTech) September 14, 2021
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JAMES BANKS III INVITED TO PELICANS TRAINING CAMP
The Pelicans signed free agent guard Jared Harper and big man James Banks III to training camp deals (Twitter link), according to Hoops Rumors.
Banks went undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2020 after making the ACC All-Defensive Team in both his junior and senior seasons. The 6’10” center spent his first professional season in Israel with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, then suited up for the Cavaliers at the Las Vegas Summer League last month.
Both Harper and Banks will be on Exhibit 10 deals, which will make them candidates to join the Birmingham Squadron – New Orleans’ G League team – if they don’t earn spots on the Pelicans’ 17-man regular season squad. In that scenario, they’d be eligible for bonuses worth up to $50K in addition to their NBAGL salaries.
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THE ARGUMENT FOR TRADING THADDEUS YOUNG
Veteran forward Thaddeus Young was recently acquired by the San Antonio Spurs in the sign-and-trade that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Chicago Bulls. While his inclusion was necessary in addition to Al-Farouq Aminu and draft picks due to his salary, Young is also a valuable asset. The 14-year NBA veteran played well last season, providing the Bulls with both offensive and defensive versatility.
The Spurs appear to finally be in a full rebuild, and while having a veteran like Young can certainly help a young team win, it can also be counterproductive. San Antonio should look to focus on developing their young talent and less on wins this coming season. While they aren’t going to “tank” next season, winning fewer games would help the Spurs get a higher pick in next year’s draft. Trading Young would be a quick way to accomplish both of these tasks.
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FAVORS SET TO SEE EXPANDED ROLE WITH THUNDER
One of Oklahoma City’s most senior players, Derrick Favors is yet again set to see plenty of starts, this time in a bit of a different role.
At 6-foot-9, Favors primarily plays power forward, but will be used as a center for the upcoming season by the Thunder.
At 30-year-old Favors was acquired along with a future first-round draft pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick and cash considerations. He spent nine of his last ten seasons with the Jazz.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
I’m told Suns are still focused on a Thaddeus Young deal and have offered Smith & Saric. No 1st rd picks being discussed per sources & the most the Suns would add is a 2nd rd pick. League rules causing delays, but a deal could get done around training camp. Negotiations ongoing. pic.twitter.com/QEpy1GVXPu
— FLEX From Jersey (@FlexFromJersey) September 15, 2021
Beyond the Box: Can Derrick Favors Continue OKC’s Rebounding Success?#Thunder #ThunderUp https://t.co/hLuE7VANPH
— SI THUNDER (@OKCThunderSI) September 13, 2021
3D and Trey-Dee https://t.co/rvDKD3bveX via @YouTube He was just 2…🤣
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) September 14, 2021
BREAKING: Iman Shumpert will be a contestant on Season 30 of ‘Dancing With The Stars.’
Other than the ‘Running Man,’ with Kyrie Irving in his Cleveland days, Shump doesn’t have much experience 😂
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/r5b1cpTrGG
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) September 8, 2021
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Eurobasket Yellow Jacket Report
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Yellow Jackets alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays pro in Puerto Rico) led Atleticos de San German to a victory over the sixth-ranked Grises (1-19) crushing them 96-76 in the Puerto Rican BSN on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Aminu scored 27 points (!!!), had 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 34 minutes. Atleticos de San Germanis placed fourth in Group A. It’s Aminu’s first season with the team. He has individually a very good year with high stats. Aminu averages 17.9ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1bpg and 1.2spg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, plays in Mexico) was the main contributor in a Dorados de Chihuahua’s victory against the third-ranked Lenadores (2-3) 80-72 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) in Friday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Mitchell had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 10 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group East. Dorados de Chihuahua (3-0) is placed first. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It’s Mitchell’s first year with the team. He has very impressive stats this season 16.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.5apg and 2.0spg in two games he played so far.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) signed for Kauhajoki in Finnish Korisliiga
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Summer League
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) played for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91) signed for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Joshua Heath (6’2”-PG-94) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian BNXT League
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) plays for Trilogy in the Big3
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Team Miami in the Eurobasket S.League
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88) signed for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) signed for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) signed for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) signed for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in German ProA
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91) plays for Real Esteli in Nicaraguan LSB
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92) signed for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket in Turkish BSL
- James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) signed for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
#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 |
