THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert continued to impress on “Dancing with the Stars” … James Banks III waived by the Pelicans, Moses Wright released by Clippers, but hopeful of G League roster spot … OKC invested in elevating Derrick Favors back to prominence … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
IMAN SHUMPERT SHOWING SOLID MOVES IN “DTWS”
Now in its 30th season, “Dancing with the Stars” has featured many active and retired football players among its celebrity contestants, but just a few NBA players. Only Clyde Drexler, Rick Fox, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher and Charles Oakley have taken to the dance floor. This season, Iman Shumpert has laced up dancing shoes and shown he’s got some skills.
“Just trying something new,” said Shumpert, who has played with both the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. “I’m not from a dancing background. I’m one of those guys that I’ve got to try stuff before I can even knock it and down it. I try and do my best to understand things. When [my management] hit me to be a part of the show, I didn’t have [an NBA] contract, so I figured, let’s try.”
- ‘DWTS’ Disney Night: Fans praise Daniella Karagach for Iman Shumpert’s splendid lifts
- Iman Shumpert Talks ‘Dancing With the Stars’
*****
BANKS WAIVED BY PELICANS, BUT COULD WIND UP IN G LEAGUE
According to RealGM.com, the New Orleans Pelicans waived three players, including James Banks III, as they begin the process of finalizing their regular season roster. New Orleans also waived Wenyen Gabriel and Malcolm Hill.
Banks and Hill were added earlier in the week, after New Orleans waived Zylan Cheatham and Jared Harper. Banks and Hill were added in hopes of gaining Affiliate Player rights for the G League.
All four players of Banks, Cheatham, Harper and Hill are expected to play with the Birmingham Squadron of the G League. 2021-22 is the first year New Orleans will have the Squadron as their singly-affiliated G League club.
Banks, 6-10, 250, most recently played for Hapoel Be’er Sheva of the Israeli Super League, appearing in 13 games and averaging 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game.
*****
WRIGHT WAIVED BY CLIPPERS, ALSO HOPEFUL FOR G LEAGUE SPOT
Former Georgia Tech star Moses Wright fell short in his bid for a roster spot with the Los Angeles Clippers, being waived along with George King earlier this week. The ACC player of the year signed an Exhibit 10 training-camp deal in September.
In three preseason games, Wright averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and .7 assists in 11.9 minutes of play while shooting 53.8% from the field. The Clippers played their final tune-up game Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wright played just 3:47 and did not score.
Wright could still wind up with a spot on the Clippers’ Agua Caliente G League.
*****
OKC INVESTED IN RAISING FAVORS’ PROFILE
After 11 years in the NBA, power forward/center Derrick Favors arrived in Oklahoma City in a salary dump, and the sooner the Thunder can trade him, the better it will be for both parties.
After averaged 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds last season, Favors will need to get more playing time and post better numbers for a playoff contender to take him on and for the Thunder to get out his cap hit off the payroll.
*****
#ProJackets on Social Media
Best rookie post-practice fit…who ya got? 😂 pic.twitter.com/1GJIhle6WZ
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 16, 2021
Coming soon to Birmingham – @AlvaradoJose15 🔥🔥🔥
Alvarado joins the Squadron as a two-way player with the Pelicans.
The 6-0, 179-pound guard led @GTMBB to an ACC Championship last season and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/NdJ8mSx0eQ
— Birmingham Squadron (@GleagueSquadron) October 15, 2021
Horrible Technique here. Or should i say… there is potential for so much more 😅 https://t.co/x1uVNBS5sE
— James Banks (@1jamesbanks) October 11, 2021
My heart is full ❤️ @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/zys8WOhSdg
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) October 16, 2021
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/5QZp3DaN1d
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) October 17, 2021
BOUT TO STREAK IN NBA 2K. TAP IN https://t.co/qGyJw6vB1V
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) October 15, 2021
I am Honored & Extremely Blessed to be part of the @BallySportsSO & @HawksOnBally Team!!! This will be an Amazing Year Hawks Fans!!! Let’s Get It!!! #BelieveAtlanta https://t.co/4vu4wSLhQc
— Brian Oliver (@BrianOliver1313) October 8, 2021
Eurobasket Yellow Jacket Report
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays pro in Puerto Rico) led Atleticos de San German to a victory over the fifth-ranked Indios (13-19) 103-96 in the Puerto Rican BSN in Tuesday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Aminu had a double-double by scoring 28 points and getting 11 rebounds in 28 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 17.8ppg, 7.8rpg and 2.0apg in 30 games he played so far.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94, graduated ’19, currently in Turkey) contributed to Konyaspor’s victory against the 12th-ranked Antalya 85-74 in the Turkish TBL (second division) on Sunday night. He scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes. This year Gueye averages 8.0ppg, 8.5rpg and 1.5apg in two games.
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays in France) could not help Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (2-1) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his good performance Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket was crushed92-67on the road by the higher-ranked Pau-Lacq-Orthez (#3). Lawal was the second best scorer with 11 points. He also added 8 rebounds. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Lawal has relatively good stats this year 11.3ppg, 7.0rpg and 1.7bpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, currently in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the second-ranked Ryukyu GK (3-1) 69-52 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. He recorded 9 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 34 minutes. SeaHorses Mikawa (2-2) is placed fifth in West group. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Schafer averages 4.0ppg and 5.8rpg in four games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in Japan) was not able to help Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in their game against Shimane SM (3-1) in the Japanese B1 League. Despite his good performance in Saturday night’s game He scored 12 points, had 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Miller averages 6.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.8apg and 1.5bpg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket (1-2) in their game against Gaziantep (2-1) in the Turkish BSL. Smith was the second best scorer with 7 points in 19 minutes. Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket was crushed82-49on the opponent’s court by the much higher-ranked (#4) Gaziantep. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Smith has very impressive stats this year 16.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 4.0apg in three games.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, currently in Japan) couldn’t help Shinshu BW in their game against Yokohama BC in the Japanese B1 League. Despite his good performance in Saturday night’s game McHenry recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting the same number of rebounds. He also added 7 assists and 5 steals. This season McHenry averages 9.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 5.8apg and 3.0spg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, plays pro in Mexico) couldn’t help Dorados de Chihuahua in their game against Lenadores in the Mexican LNBP (second division), despite his very good performance last Thursday. Mitchell was the second best scorer with 15 points. He also added 9 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 25 minutes. But his team lost 78-93. Mitchell has relatively good stats this year 10.5ppg, 7.5rpg and 2.1apg in 13 games.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92, graduated ’15, plays in Japan) couldn’t help one of league’s weakest teams Yamaguchi in their game against Tokyo HT in the Japanese B3 League. Despite his very good performance on Friday night He recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 15 rebounds. This season Sampson has very high stats. He averages 17.3ppg and 10.0rpg. Worth to mention Sampson played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology 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 New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91) signed for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Josh Heath (6’1”-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
- 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 EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- 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
- 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
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
