THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert brings out the tango in week 3, remains alive in “Dancing with the Stars” … Josh Okogie leads stout defensive effort for Wolves … Derrick Favors all in for OKC … Moses Wright showing out for Clippers in preseason … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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WATCH IMAN SHUMPERT’S WEEK 3 PERFORMANCE ON ‘DWTS’
Iman Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach finished near the bottom of the leaderboard in week 3 of “Dancing with the Stars,” but the couple remains alive in the 30th season of the competition. The duo performed a tango Monday night, which you can see here.
Who’s left this season on Dancing with the Stars?
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OKOGIE LEADS DEFENSIVE EFFORT AGAINST PELICANS
Josh Okogie was phenomenal on the defensive end, as he threw his body around to disrupt the Pelicans offense and got some impressive stops as a result. The fourth-year wing displayed solid positional IQ and got multiple stops as both an on-ball and help defender, with the culmination of his performance being this impressive block following his weak-side rotation.
Josh Okogie weak-side block, great defense pic.twitter.com/5AlPXlmHg9
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) October 5, 2021
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FAVORS ALL-IN WITH NEW ROLE IN OKC
When the Thunder acquired Derrick Favors back in August, it was a move that allowed Oklahoma City to accumulate yet another first-round draft pick. However, as the start of the regular season approaches, it turns out that Favors also could be a valuable piece on the team as a leader and their starting center.
While Favors’ future on the team is still fairly uncertain, he’ll be able to make an impact immediately for the Thunder.
“If I’m here, I’m here. If I get traded, it’s just part of the business,” said Favors at media day.
Whether he ends up being traded at some point in the next two years, or ends up finishing his contract in OKC, Favors is committed to giving everything he has, saying he’s all in.
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COULD THADDEUS YOUNG BE TRADED?
According to a report, the Suns are still interested in trading for the Spurs’ Thaddeus Young.
Another reason why Young may be amenable to a deal to a playoff contender is due to monetary incentives.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes Young’s contract has financial bonuses if the team he plays with reaches the NBA playoffs.
“Keep an eye on the bonuses of Spurs forward Thaddeus Young and Magic guard Terrence Ross. Young has $400K of bonuses in his contract for team wins and reaching the playoffs,” Marks said. “While it is unlikely San Antonio will win 48 games this season or even reach the playoffs, Young could reach those incentives if he is traded to a playoff contender.”
Could Spurs' Thaddeus Young's days be numbered in San Antonio? Possibly, if the Suns can make a deal with the Spurs. 🏀 https://t.co/MYU5wUxucf
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) October 5, 2021
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MOSES WRIGHT SHOWS POTENTIAL IN PRESEASON ACTION
The LA Clippers signed Moses Wright to an Exhibit 10 deal this year, seeming to be interested in him joining the Agua Caliente Clippers of the G-League.
They had to have liked what they saw from that dunk yesterday, as well as what they saw in general.
In 17 minutes, he went 4 of 6 with 8 points and had a block on defense.
🌪️ Moses Wright spin cycle 🌪️#NBAPreseason on League Pass pic.twitter.com/Rcv5rzWAnS
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2021
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#ProJackets on Social Media
No Longer Dreaming…♟#UnderDawg pic.twitter.com/bHUtW364r0
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) October 2, 2021
Jose Alvarado on his Summer League experience#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/zMbl40223o
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 27, 2021
#LeaveIt SplashAlert! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dCIsSOV3Lh
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) October 5, 2021
Eurobasket Yellow Jacket Report
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays pro in France) led Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket to a victory over the tenth-ranked Provence Basket (0-1) crushing them 88-58 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Lawal recorded 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 25 minutes. It was his first game for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket this season. His team is placed second in the Betclic ELITE ProA. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It’s Lawal’s first year with the team. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, plays in Belgium) was the main contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the tenth-ranked Limburg United (0-4) 73-59 in the BNXT League in Wednesday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Heath scored 20 points, made 6 passes and 3 steals. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (2-2) is placed sixth in the BNXT League. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Heath has relatively good stats this year 10.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.3apg and 1.5spg in four games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, currently in Germany) was the major contributor in an ALBA Berlin’s victory against one of league’s weakest teams Skyliners (0-2) crushing them 101-63 in the German BBL last Tuesday. Lammers scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a mere 19 minutes. ALBA Berlin (1-1) is placed seventh in the BBL. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Lammers averages 9.0ppg and 3.5rpg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays pro in Turkey) contributed to a 3-point Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket’s victory against the closely-ranked Bursaspor 74-71 in the Turkish BSL on Sunday night. Smith scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists. Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basketis placed sixth in the BSL. Smith has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 20.5ppg, 4.5rpg and 5.0apg in two games.
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays in Puerto Rico) could not help Atleticos de San German in their game last Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Atleticos de San German was badly defeated108-90on the road by the leading Capitanes in the Group A. Aminu recorded 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. It’s Aminu’s first season with the team. This year he has very high stats. Aminu averages 17.4ppg, 7.7rpg and 2.0apg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, currently in Japan) contributed to a 1-point Shinshu BW’s victory against the 11th-ranked Toyama Grouses 72-71 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday. He recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and made 2 blocks. This year McHenry averages 10.0ppg, 11.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.5bpg and 3.0spg in two games.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) was not able to help SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Osaka Evessa in the Japanese B1 League. Schafer recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 26 minutes. His team was edged 70-67. This season he averages 2.0ppg and 7.0rpg. Schafer is a naturalized Japanese.
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in their game against Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B1 League. Miller recorded 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team lost 75-83. This year he averages 3.5ppg and 3.5rpg in two games.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, currently in Mexico), who plays in the Mexican LNBP (second division) couldn’t help Dorados de Chihuahua (11-1) in their game last Thursday. Despite his very good performance the first-placed Dorados de Chihuahua was defeated87-79in Guanajuato by the leading Abejas in the East group. Mitchell was the second best scorer with 16 points in 23 minutes. He has relatively good stats this season 10.1ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.4apg.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92, graduated ’15, plays pro in Japan) contributed to Yamaguchi’s victory against the closely-ranked Toyoda 95-85 in the Japanese B3 League on Sunday night. Sampson had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 11 rebounds. This year he averages 10.0ppg and 7.0rpg in two games. He is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) signed for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) signed for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) signed for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91) signed for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) signed for Kauhajoki in Finnish Korisliiga
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91) plays for Real Esteli in Nicaraguan LSB
- James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) signed for Konyaspor in Turkish TBL
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) signed for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Team Miami in the Eurobasket S.League
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Summer League
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) plays for Trilogy in the Big3
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
