THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert continues to draw raves on “Dancing with the Stars”… Thaddeus Young finding his place in the Spurs offense … Jarrett Jack transitions into coaching career … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT DESERVES TO WIN “DTWS” – HERE’S WHY
We’ve gotten to the point where just about everyone can get a 40 on “Dancing with the Stars.”
On Monday’s “Janet Jackson Night,” Suni Lee, Melora Hardin and Amanda Kloots got perfect scores and Jojo Siwa was just one off (thanks to judge Len Goodman) with a 39. Two away? Cody Rigsby with a 38.
To be honest? The real showstopper was Iman Shumpert who did such a great production number to “Rhythm Nation” he should have been declared a finalist as soon as he finished. He got a 35 but for someone who’s almost twice as tall as his partner he showed incredible style and grace. The improvement he has made since the beginning is astounding – and it shouldn’t be ignored. Others (like Kloots and Siwa) have dancing experience; he’s a rookie who could now pass for professional.
When he was placed in the head-to-head dance-off with Hardin, Shumpert held his own and easily could have gotten the bonus points had he been placed in competition with one of the lesser dancers.
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FANS ROOT FOR SHUMPERT AS HE ENTERS SEMIFINALS
If there is anyone who proved to be a wildcard on this season of ‘Dancing With The Stars’, it would have to be Iman Shumpert. The NBA star might have had a rocky start, but has soon built quite the reputation as a dancer. Each week, his improvement is noticeable and as the judges and fans agree, he’s been an all-round joy to watch.
For ‘Janet Jackson Night‘, Shumpert was certainly feeling the pressure, as his wife Teyana Taylor happens to be a huge fan of Jackson. Apart from this, a lot was riding on his performance, as the semi-finals are near. Shumpert and pro Daniella Karagach danced the Cha Cha to ‘Rhythm Nation’.
Iman is a prime example of how choreography can really make a huge difference if he had been with Peta Chip he likely would’ve been out weeks ago. Once Daniella gets a ringer it’s over for almost everyone.
— Thomas 🎄 (@ThomDWTS) November 9, 2021
Iman Shumpert is still in the competition!!!
I’m so happy for him! #DWTS
— B (@thepizzapopo_) November 9, 2021
We are looking forward 2 seeing @imanshumpert & his partner @DKaragach dance the Cha Cha 2 #RhythmNation on @JanetJackson night on @DancingABC ! Don’t 4get 2 cast your vote 4 them if they are your faves! #DancingWithTheStars pic.twitter.com/VaLZxZpBpF
— EnterTeenment News (@TeenmentNews) November 8, 2021
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JARRETT JACK TRANSITIONS INTO COACHING CAREER
Jarrett Jack wasn’t ready to transition into coaching just yet despite teams asking him to join their organizations to do something he saw in his future anyway.
He was “hell bent” on playing one more season and looked to return to the G League Ignite to serve as their point guard and veteran leader.
Then his agent called.
“He was like, ‘Hey man, Phoenix called,’” Jack said. “’They want to know if you open to joining their coaching staff.’ And I was like, oh wow. That opportunity felt little different.”
Jack played with Chris Paul for Monty Williams in New Orleans and was teammates with Suns General Manager James Jones in Portland when Williams was an assistant there under Nate McMillan.
“Me and CP is family,” Jack said. “I know what they’re about.”
AZCentral Q&A with Jarrett Jack: Part 1 | Part 2
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THADDEUS YOUNG FINDING HIS PLACE IN SPURS OFFENSE
Over the last week, Thaddeus Young has begun to settle in with the young Spurs squad he joined as part of the DeMar DeRozan trade this past offseason. Thanks to the ongoing absence of Jakob Poeltl, Thad’s playing time has ticked upward, and he’s averaged about 25 minutes per contest in the 3 games they’ve played without Big Jak. Those extra minutes have been good for him and the Spurs.
For Thad, it’s clear the extra playing time has allowed him to find a level of comfort in the Spurs offensive system. That’s to be expected, of course, but in the first few games of the season, it seemed much farther off. Witness, for instance, his awkward shuffle as he tries to find the right angle to set this screen for Dejounte Murray.
“If you make a basketball cut and aren’t lazy with it, you’re going to be rewarded. He sees it, and he’s going to throw it every time,” head coach Gregg Popovich said of the veteran.
Thad Young is really wonderful in this role as a DHO/passing hubpic.twitter.com/dRFV74m7WL
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) November 8, 2021
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DERRICK FAVORS LOGS 21 MINUTES IN START VS PELICANS
Derrick Favors played 21 minutes and scored nine points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3P, 1-2 FT) while chipping in six boards, two assists, and a steal in a win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. Favors is averaging 6.6 points and 6.0 rebounds this season for the Thunder, who have won their last three in a row. Favors has averaged 7.0 points and 7.9 rebounds over that stretch.
Lesson learned: you disrespect Derrick Favors, you lose to Derrick Favors. pic.twitter.com/9J5NBkDweb
— Bruno Starzz (@getsit) November 5, 2021
Derrick Favors has been the most impactful player for OKC on both sides of the ball.
People have clowned him for missing lay-ups but intelligent veterans who impact young players is what we need.
(Offensive/Defensive Rating)
Favors ON: 107.32/108.74
Favors OFF: 93.27/111.91 pic.twitter.com/8KPgnghNKM— Thunder Moneyball (@geola388) November 4, 2021
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THE LAMINATOR HAS DUNK OF THE NIGHT
#ProJackets on Social Media
The New Orleans Pelicans have transferred guard Jose Alvarado to the Birmingham Squadron.
The 6-0, 179-pound guard has appeared in two games for New Orleans this season, averaging 2.5 points and 0.5 assists in 3.5 minutes per game. pic.twitter.com/1hzBuTpora
— Birmingham Squadron (@GleagueSquadron) November 11, 2021
@dfavors14 loved seeing you last night! I wish you were still in a jazz jersey but I’ll take what I can get! pic.twitter.com/OKZuTgiOpM
— Nicole Bogdanovic (@bogdanovicfan44) October 22, 2021
My Happy Place pic.twitter.com/poVWNJAAQU
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) November 8, 2021
#DogLife
Daddy leave me alone! 🐕
Rhodesian Ridgeback!
Zena. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/CUkNEciEvn— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) November 11, 2021
Happy Veterans Day! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/09YBM2Hb84
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) November 11, 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.
