THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert’s no longer underrated on “Dancing with the Stars”… Josh Okogie gets fourth start of the season vs. Clippers … Derrick Favors’ wanted to start against old Jazz teammates … Thaddeus Young lobbies for more time with his play … Q&A with Jose Alvarado … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT NO LONGER UNDERRATED ON “DTWS”
Last week on “Dancing With the Stars,” something unexpected happened: NBA star Iman Shumpert finally got the credit he deserved.
Shumpert and his professional dance partner, Daniella Karagach, pulled off one of the greatest routines in 30 seasons of the ABC reality competition show, with a flawlessly choreographed contemporary dance inspired by Jordan Peele’s horror flick “Us”: the judges described it as “genius,” “sheer perfection,” “brilliant” and “a masterpiece.”
The comments on social media were ecstatic, including rave reviews from Shumpert’s former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James and “Us” star Lupita Nyong’o:
The performance earned the pair a perfect score, which was significant because Shumpert has been consistently underrated all season. While the judges have given him plenty of praise, he has also been subject to lower-than-deserved scores and overly critical comments, especially from judge Len Goodman.
Shumpert and Karagach danced the Paso Doble to “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen on Dancing with the Stars Queen Night on Monday.
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FAVORS WANTED TO START AGAINST JAZZ
Derrick Favors won’t be starting every Oklahoma City Thunder game. The organization has emphasized its dedication to developing the youth on the team, and Favors, a veteran who arrived on a salary dump, does not fall into that category.
But against his former team, Favors wanted to start.
In the season opener on Tuesday, Favors got the nod at center to tip off against the Utah Jazz, a team he spent more than nine years playing for. The big acknowledged after the game that he wanted to be in the starting rotation for this game specifically.
“For selfish reasons, yeah,” Favors said. “Obviously I was here for so long, and I just wanted to start. For selfish reasons.”
He said he would not place the same importance on his role in the rotation on other games.
Derrick Favors smokes the point blank layup pic.twitter.com/4OJJ6CAY2U
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) October 31, 2021
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YOUNG LOBBIES FOR MORE PLAYING TIME WITH HIS PLAY
The San Antonio Spurs are 1-4 this season, and in the team’s only victory, Thaddeus Young scored a season-high 10 points in 16 minutes, hitting 5-of-9 from the floor, with eight rebounds and three assists, the type of production that made him such a valuable member of the Chicago Bulls last season.
Through five games, Young has averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds while averaging 13.2 minutes.
Young looks ahead to the season
Thaddeus Young after playing a season high 15 minutes in @spurs win against the @Bucks “I’m a basketball player…I’m going to make passes, get all the guys involved. As long as we are moving the ball side to side & get cohesiveness as a group, we’re going to be able to score.”
— Jeremiah Johnson (@PacersJJ) November 1, 2021
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OKOGIE MAKES FOURTH START WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Josh Okogie made his fourth start of the season Wednesday night in a 126-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that left the Timberwolves feeling better about their offense.
The Wolves scored 115 points, the most they had since their season-opening win against Houston. They shot an OK 14 of 40 from three-point range (though it looks small in comparison to the Clippers’ 58%) but a lot of the supporting cast got to see shots go through without D’Angelo Russell in the lineup.
Seven different players finished in double figures led by Anthony Edwards with 28 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 while Josh Okogie (11), Patrick Beverley (10), Malik Beasley (14), Jarred Vanderbilt (13) and Naz Reid (11) also reached double digits.
More from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
JOSH OKOGIE.
NINE STRAIGHT POINTS.— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 4, 2021
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PELICANS Q&A WITH JOSE ALVARADO
New Orleans rookie point guard Jose Alvarado shares something in common with fellow Pelicans first-year pro Herbert Jones, in that both were named major-conference players of the year in 2020-21 – Alvarado claimed the ACC honor, while Jones captured the SEC’s award. On NBA draft night in August, however, their paths diverged, with Jones being chosen in the second round by New Orleans, while Alvarado was not among the 60 picks.
As Alvarado explained, however, going undrafted is something he spent very little time dwelling on this summer. The Georgia Tech product was thrilled to have an opportunity to get his foot in the door at the professional level, whether that might be in summer league or with a ticket to the G League. Thus far the two-way contract signee has spent training camp, preseason and the regular season with New Orleans, picking up valuable experience, including during practices. The 23-year-old discussed some of his background with Pelicans.com recently:
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Winning is contagious I guess…🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/m8i9aj282N
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) November 3, 2021
Love how @imanshumpert footwork has become incredibly fantastic ♥️💃🏽🕺🏽 I have forgotten how tall he is watching him dance… #balldancerinsteadofbballplaya #DWTS
— MoNiCa💋♏️ (@brkaquay0304) November 2, 2021
Text “Iman” to 21523 keep the votes comingggggg @DancingABC @DKaragach #daniman pic.twitter.com/bu54hWORjb
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) November 2, 2021
About last night, when everyone in this picture can tell the story on how we all met 30 plus years ago! #HomieHood #NBA @dnice @BILLBELLAMY @realgranthill33 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/QqvX7R3Fw2
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) November 3, 2021
75 Years ago! #LeaveIt
SideLineShorty! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/e82SzQgsnJ— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) November 1, 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
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays pro in Turkey) could not help Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket (2-5) in their game last Saturday. Despite his very good performance Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket was defeated81-73on the road by the leading Pinar Karsiyaka. Smith was the top scorer with 23 points. He also added 4 assists in 34 minutes. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. Smith has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 15.3ppg, 2.9rpg and 4.1apg.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88, graduated ’07, plays in the NBA) led San Antonio Spurs to a victory against the Orlando Magic (2-8) 102-89 in the NBA in Friday night’s game. He scored 12 points, had 4 boards, handed out 5 passes and blocked 3 shots. The San Antonio Spurs have rather weak 3-6 record this season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. This year Young averages 5.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.8apg and 1.2spg in six games he played so far.
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, currently in France), who plays in the French Betclic ELITE ProA was not able to help Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (4-3) in their game last Saturday. Despite his very good performance Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket was defeated83-78in Nanterre by the one of league’s weakest teams JSF Nanterre (#17). Lawal was the second best scorer with 15 points. He also added 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Lawal has relatively good stats this year 12.3ppg, 6.4rpg and 1.3bpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to an Oklahoma City Thunder’s surprising victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (5-4) 107-104 in the NBA on Thursday night. He had a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 11 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder has not so impressive 2-6 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Favors’ first year with the team. This season Favors averages 6.9ppg and 6.0rpg in seven games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, plays in Germany) contributed to an ALBA Berlin’s victory against the league outsider Zalgiris (0-8) 79-71 in the Euroleague in Friday night’s game. He scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 3 blocks in only 14 minutes. ALBA Berlin (3-5) is placed 11th in the Euroleague. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Lammers averages 6.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.5bpg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, currently in the NBA), who plays in the NBA was not able to secure a victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-5) in their last game. Despite Okogie’s good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves lost126-115in Los Angeles to the Clippers. He recorded 11 points. This year Okogie averages 3.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.2spg in six games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87, graduated ’10, plays pro in France) contributed to a 2-point FOS Provence Basket’s victory against the closely-ranked Le Portel 78-76 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA on Friday night. He scored 9 points and added 4 passes in 31 minutes. This season Peacock averages 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.0apg.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98, graduated ’21, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the New Orleans Pelicans in their game against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. Alvarado scored 5 points. His team were crushed by 41 points 126-85 in the NBA. This year Alvarado averages 2.5ppg 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 Saturday. Despite his very good performance the first-placed Dorados de Chihuahua was defeated88-77in Fresnillo by the lower-ranked Plateros (#3) in the East group. Mitchell recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 14 rebounds. He also added and 3 steals in 31 minutes. Mitchell has relatively good stats this season 12.2ppg, 7.3rpg and 1.8apg.
#10. Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95, graduated ’19, plays pro in Czech Republic) couldn’t help Usti n/Labem in their game against Brno in the Czech Republic NBL. Alston recorded 9 points. His team lost 77-85. This year Alston averages 6.0ppg and 2.6rpg in five games.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-94) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian BNXT League
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) plays for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican BSN
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) signed for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- 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) played for Trilogy in the Big3
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) signed for Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario in the NBA G League
- 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
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) signed for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) signed for Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario in the NBA G League
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) signed for Konyaspor in Turkish TBL
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) signed for Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League
Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
