THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert’s star rising on “Dancing with the Stars’ … Josh Okogie betting on himself this season … Derrick Favors’ role with OKC … Thaddeus Young on the move? … Moses Wright, James Banks land on G League teams … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT GETS PERFECT SCORE THIS WEEK ON “DTWS”
Iman Shumpert wowed the judges on Dancing with the Stars last night, so much so that he garnered a perfect score of 40.
For the show’s Halloween-themed episode, Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach performed a contemporary, acrobatic number to “I Got 5 on It (Tethered Mix)” by Luniz feat. Michael Marshall. Horror fans were able to immediately pinpoint their costumes and themes as the “tethered” twin images from Jordan Peele’s 2019 horror thriller, Us.
We last checked in on Iman Shumpert on Dancing With the Stars following the season premiere, in which the former NBA guard was utterly robbed with middling scores. Since that time he’s still been pushing along, and Monday night was his magnum opus.
Fans of the show aren’t just applauding the perfect score, but calling Shumpert and Karagach’s work one of the best dances in the history of the show.
NBA player Lebron James reacted to his former teammate Iman Shumpert’s first perfect score on Dancing With The Stars. Lebron and Iman played together for the Cleveland Cavaliers before Lebron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. As he takes some time away from playing on the court, Iman has been giving dancing in the ballroom a try.
Told y’all we had 5 on it!!! Thank you to everyone that’s been watching, supporting,voting!!! Please continue to vote as we approach the end of the race to the mirror ball!!! We can’t do this without you! Thank you @daniellakaragach for trusting me with you life 😂 #movieus pic.twitter.com/Od1f1SdIuA
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) October 26, 2021
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OKOGIE BETTING ON HIMSELF THIS SEASON
Josh Okogie and the Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t come to an extension agreement ahead of Monday’s deadline for rookies from the 2018 NBA Draft class to reach a deal. There was never much noise around a potential agreement, either.
The guard said there was no disappointment at the lack of a deal. He’s stated his desire to play in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. For some players and teams in certain situations, waiting to strike a deal just makes sense.
So Okogie will play his fourth NBA season before entering restricted free agency next offseason.
That makes the 2021-22 campaign Okogie’s biggest to date — a contract is on the line.
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FAVORS’ FOLE ON YOUNG OKC THUNDER TEAM
At 30 years of age, OKC Thunder big man Derrick Favors is the second oldest player on the roster (only 2 weeks younger than Mike Muscala) and is far and away, the most experienced member of this iteration of the team entering the 2021-22 season. ‘
While many believe Favors’ tenure with the Thunder will be a short stint, there is certainly a clear role for Favors to play this season at least.
With no true bigs on the roster, Favors will be called in to shore up the center spot and provide at least a respectable level of rim protection that the Thunder otherwise lack.
More from ThunderousIntenetions.com
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RUMORS OF YOUNG TRADE PERSIST
From Basketball News, which lists Thaddeus Young among five players to watch on the trade market…
“Young was involved in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade that sent him to a rebuilding San Antonio Spurs squad earlier this month. With the Spurs looking more like a potential tanking team than realistic playoff contender, Young would be wise to get out of the Alamo City as soon as possible.
There have already been rumors of the Spurs dangling Young in trades to contenders like the Phoenix Suns, who are in need of one more piece to fortify an already strong second unit. Whether it’s eventually in Phoenix or elsewhere, Young’s leadership, defensive versatility and all-around offensive game allow him to be a snug fit on any roster. Honestly, knowing Young’s value, it wouldn’t be a shock to see San Antonio trade him for a young prospect or a future pick at some point.
However, if the Spurs decide to keep Young until the middle of the season — a realistic possibility with San Antonio seemingly believing that the team can make a playoff push with an extremely inexperienced roster — he instantly becomes one of the best buyout options to keep an eye on.”
“Young is in the third year of a 3-year $43.6 million deal, but he’s not seeing much action in San Antonio,” writes Brian Mazique in Heavy.com. “Young has played in one of the team’s three games. His appearance lasted nine minutes and he scored two points. Meanwhile, the Spurs are 1-2 on the season.”
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WRIGHT, HOLSEY LAND ON CLIPPERS’ G LEAGUE TEAM, BANKS WITH PELICANS’ AFFILIATE
After getting cut by the Los Angeles Clippers at the end of their preseason camp, former Georgia Tech star Moses Wright will go to training camp with the Clippers’ G League affiliate. He’ll be coached by someone similarly familiar to Tech fans – Paul Hewitt.
Wright, the ACC player of the year, was one of 13 players on the Agua Caliente Clippers’ preseason roster that was released Tuesday. He is joined by another former Yellow Jackets player of note, Kammeon Holsey, who played at Tech from 2010-14 and has played professionally in Europe. Hewitt coached Holsey in his freshman season.
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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#ProJackets on Social Media
🚨ITS OFFICIAL!🚨
The Birmingham Squadron have announced the 2021 training camp roster!
Squadron Training camp starts today – so keep an eye out for content from camp!
Who’s your favorite player? pic.twitter.com/4AFhLRACSB
— Birmingham Squadron (@GleagueSquadron) October 25, 2021
Watch this video of Josh Okogie playing defense last night. Man was an absolute pest for the Rockets. pic.twitter.com/frThNyYlWF
— The Daily Wolves (@TheDailyWolves) October 21, 2021
No pressure 😌@joshgiddey ➡️ @dfavors14 pic.twitter.com/LKfbrWeufA
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 28, 2021
DERRICK FAVORS pic.twitter.com/0eKiaCNTR0
— Bon Ivermectin (@azamatsecoy) October 21, 2021
We’re cooking up a very special episode of “Inside the @MiamiHEAT” Saturday night postgame! Tune in post #HEATCulture vs. Grizzlies game as @TheJaxShow & co. take you behind the scenes at @chrisbosh‘s induction to the @Hoophall pic.twitter.com/wZJwbqYWkQ
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) October 28, 2021
Very cool to meet @chrisbosh in Austin last weekend! Was a huge fan of his growing up watching the @Raptors games as a kid! pic.twitter.com/sFrketISmA
— Nicholas Latifi (@NicholasLatifi) October 28, 2021
DMV! #HoopFamily #AllMetTeam 🔥🔥🔥@realgranthill33 @johnthompsonjr pic.twitter.com/JAOAJNZ5Ln
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) October 25, 2021
#LeaveIt
Deep water can u swim?
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/IFypP6MmIW— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) October 25, 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 |
Tech Alumni in Pro Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays pro in France) could not help Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (3-2) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket lost94-81on the road to the leading ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket. Lawal was the top scorer with 18 points. He also added 4 rebounds in 20 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Lawal has relatively good stats this year 13.0ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.6bpg in five games he played so far. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays in the NBA) led Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (2-3) 123-115 in the NBA last Wednesday. He scored 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder has 1-4 record this season. It was his team’s first victory after four consecutive loses. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Favors averages 6.8ppg and 6.3rpg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, currently in Turkey) led Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket to a victory over the seventh-ranked Afyon Bld (0-1) 87-79 in the Turkish BSL on Sunday night. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 15 points and added 4 assists in 27 minutes. Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket (1-0) is placed third in the BSL. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Smith has relatively good stats this year 13.8ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.4apg in five games.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) was the major contributor in a SeaHorses Mikawa’s victory against the tenth-ranked Niigata Albirex (2-7) crushing them 81-58 in the Japanese B1 League in Friday night’s game. Schafer recorded 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his third season in pro basketball. SeaHorses Mikawa (7-2) is placed second in West group. It was his team’s sixth consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Schafer averages 7.6ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.2apg. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87, graduated ’10, plays in France) was not able to help FOS Provence Basket (4-1) in their last game. Despite his good performance FOS Provence Basket lost84-72in Dijon to the lower-ranked (#5) JDA Dijon. Peacock was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Peacock has relatively good stats this year 10.5ppg and 4.0rpg in two games.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, currently in Belgium) was not able to secure a victory for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in their game against Okapi Aalst in the BNXT League. Despite his very good performance last Saturday Heath was the top scorer with 14 points. He also added 4 assists. Heath has relatively good stats this season 10.2ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.8apg and 1.7spg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, plays pro in Japan) was the main contributor in a Shinshu BW’s victory against the eighth-ranked Osaka Evessa 95-79 in the Japanese B1 League in Sunday night’s game. McHenry was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 13 rebounds. McHenry also added 5 assists and 2 blocks in 35 minutes. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 12.6ppg, 10.0rpg, 4.6apg, 1.2bpg and 2.4spg in nine games.
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, plays in Japan) couldn’t help Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in their game against Shinshu BW in the Japanese B1 League. Miller scored 7 points, had 6 rebounds and made 4 blocks. His team was edged 87-84. This season Miller averages 4.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.7apg and 1.6bpg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, currently in the NBA) couldn’t help the Minnesota Timberwolves in their game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. Okogie cannot count Monday’s game as one of the best ones. He recorded only one point in 11 minutes. His team lost 98-107 in the NBA. This year Okogie averages 2.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg and 1.7spg in three games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, plays pro in Mexico) couldn’t help Dorados de Chihuahua in their game against Fuerza Regia in the Mexican LNBP (second division). Despite his very good performance on Thursday night He was the top scorer with 21 points. Mitchell also added 8 rebounds. Mitchell has relatively good stats this season 11.7ppg, 7.2rpg and 1.9apg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) played for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) plays for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican BSN
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) signed for Usti n/Labem in Czech Republic NBL
- 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
- 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
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) signed for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) signed for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) signed for Konyaspor in Turkish TBL
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
