THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert reaches the finals of “Dancing with the Stars,” which will be aired Monday night… Anthony Morrow involved in hometown effort to curb violence … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
(Dancing with the Stars photos courtesy of Dancing with the Stars/ABC)
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SHUMPERT BECOMES FIRST NBA PLAYER TO REACH “DTWS” FINALS
When it was announced that Iman Shumpert would be joining the cast of Dancing With The Stars for the show’s 30th season, it effectively ruled out playing NBA basketball for at least the first half of the season. After bouncing around following his time in New York and Cleveland, Shumpert was a free agent heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, and decided to pursue something other than basketball instead.
After a slow start, Shumpert and his DWTS partner, professional dancer Daniella Karagach, hit their stride, receiving a rare perfect score just six weeks into the competition. Shumpert’s former teammate and Lakers’ great LeBron James showed his support for the hooper-turned-dancer and it became increasingly clear that the 2011 first-round pick might have a real shot at winning it all.
Fast forward to now, and both Shumpert and Karagach are one step away from doing just that. After turning in a rousing routine set to Kanye West‘s “Dark Fantasy” during last night’s DWTS episode, it was announced that the pair would advance to the show’s final round.
In doing so, Shumpert became the first ex-NBA player to make it to the DWTS Finals.
TMZ Sports: Shirtless Iman Shumpert hits LeBron celebration in epic ‘DTWS’ routine
Deadspin: Take a look at Iman Shumpert ripping up the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars
Page Six: JoJo Siwa, Iman Shumpert and more react to being finals-bound
- DATE: Finals – Monday, November 22
- VOTING: Opens with the first airing of the show at 8pm ET and ends after the last dancer dances around 9:45pm PT. Text – IMAN to 21523 or Web – Go to ABC.com and vote for Iman
- SHOW TIME: 8pm PT/ ET/ 7pm CT. The show runs for 2 hours in each market.
- LOCATION: ABC and streaming on Hulu!
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ANTHONY MORROW INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORT
Sunday, through basketball, people in Charlotte had a conversation about violence prevention. Even a former NBA player was there.
“The more of us that connect to each other, the more impact we have with the kids so that’s what it’s about,” said former NBA star and Charlotte native Anthony Morrow.
Morrow and Heal Charlotte teamed up to host the “Stop the Violence Basketball Tournament” in Charlotte.
“If you all get to talking, you get to understand each other and it won’t lead to violence or fighting or whatever it is,” Morrow said.
Sunday’s event featured 3-on-3 tournaments with $1,000 given to first place winners, who then chose a nonprofit to give it to.
But it wasn’t just the action on the court that had an impact. There were testimonials and motivational speeches about violence prevention.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Point Forward @yungsmoove21 😲 pic.twitter.com/USPy3doj2V
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 14, 2021
DJ and Thad have been working the p&r to perfection 🤌 pic.twitter.com/2aqNXOE8Nn
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 14, 2021
Derrick Favors joins the pod to talk about his role as a veteran on the Thunder squad and the growth and development of the team. The Thunder Basketball Universe is brought to you by @COOPAleWorks
Apple 🎙 | https://t.co/2O1xlG2dfF
Spotify 🎙 | https://t.co/29aMyoqUZK pic.twitter.com/GKyJIuX92R— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 12, 2021
We’re headed to the Finale!!! Thank you for the support so far…@DKaragach Saved The Last Dance for us to get the mirror ball!!!! Walk wit us #sinnergang #momentmakers pic.twitter.com/OXnKSwfp8O
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) November 18, 2021
Don’t call me tonight after #DWTS 📵 I’ll be too busy rewatching @imanshumpert’s #Semifinals Tango! ⏮🤩 pic.twitter.com/at8PROqmam
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 16, 2021
Is this real life?! You’ll need to pinch us after seeing @imanshumpert’s #Semifinals Jazz! 🤏😍 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/Y7DWPiq7AM
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 16, 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
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88, graduated ’07, plays pro in the NBA) led San Antonio Spurs to an easy victory against the Sacramento Kings (5-8) 136-117 in the NBA last Wednesday. He scored 17 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 8 assists in 24 minutes. The San Antonio Spurs have not so impressive 4-8 record this season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Young has relatively good stats this year 7.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.7apg and 1.1spg in nine games he played so far.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays in Turkey) could not help Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket (1-3) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket was defeated81-73on the road by the higher-ranked Pinar Karsiyaka (#3). Smith was the top scorer with 23 points. He also added 4 assists. Smith’s team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Smith has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 15.3ppg, 2.9rpg and 4.0apg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, currently in Germany) led ALBA Berlin to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Bayreuth (2-4) crushing them 84-57 in the German BBL in Saturday night’s game. He scored 11 points in a mere 19 minutes. ALBA Berlin (4-3) is placed tenth in the BBL. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Lammers averages 10.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.5bpg and 2.0spg in two games.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, plays pro in Belgium) was the major contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the closely-ranked Kangoeroes (4-3) 75-69 in the BNXT League last Saturday. Heath scored 16 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (5-3) is placed third in the BNXT League. Heath has relatively good stats this season 10.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 5.8apg and 1.5spg.
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays in the NBA) contributed to an Oklahoma City Thunder’s victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (2-12) 108-100 in the NBA on Wednesday night. Favors scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 21 minutes. The Oklahoma City Thunder has 5-6 record this season. It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Favors averages 6.5ppg and 5.6rpg in 10 games.
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 (3-3) in their last game on Friday. Despite his good performance Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket was defeated94-89in Dijon by the lower-ranked JDA Dijon (#6). Lawal scored 11 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Lawal has relatively good stats this season 12.1ppg, 6.8rpg and 1.3bpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) contributed to a SeaHorses Mikawa’s victory against the fifth-ranked Nagoya DD 91-79 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 26 minutes. This year Schafer averages 7.0ppg, 6.2rpg and 1.5apg in 13 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. He scored 5 points. His team were crushed by 27 points 129-102 in the NBA. This season Okogie averages 3.1ppg and 2.9rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, currently in Japan) led Shinshu BW to a victory against the tenth-ranked San-en NP 92-79 in the Japanese B1 League in Wednesday night’s game. He had a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 10 rebounds. McHenry also added 4 assists in 27 minutes. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 12.2ppg, 9.3rpg, 4.4apg, 1.2bpg and 1.8spg in 13 games.
Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87, graduated ’10, plays pro in France) couldn’t help FOS Provence Basket in their game against Pau-Lacq-Orthez in the French Betclic ELITE ProA. Peacock recorded 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. His team was edged 76-74. This season Peacock averages 7.8ppg, 3.2rpg and 2.4apg.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) signed for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- 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 - Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) signed for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91) signed for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93) signed for Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexican LNBP
- James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) signed for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
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) signed for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- 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
Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) plays for Trilogy in the Big3 - James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) signed for Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League
Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
