THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado gets time in the New Orleans rotation … Moses Wright becomes free agent … Thaddeus Young continues to be topic of trade rumors … Kammeon Holsey publishes guide to life book … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
ALVARADO GETTING TRIAL BY FIRE IN NOLA ROTATION
New Orleans rookie Jose Alvarado’s first week of significant NBA playing time has coincided with a trial-by-fire run of opposing point guards: On Monday, Utah All-Star Mike Conley paid a visit to the Smoothie King Center. Twenty-four hours later, Phoenix future Hall of Fame lock Chris Paul was the opposition. Thursday was supposed to bring the greatest three-point shooter of all time, Golden State’s Stephen Curry.
For Alvarado, it’s been a series of chances to get better, preparing to face some of the Western Conference’s premier floor generals in quick succession.
Alvarado cleared the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols Saturday and has appeared in each of the Pelicans‘ last three games, averaging 1.7 points in 8.3 minutes. Alvarado seems to have taken over the rotation spot that belonged to Tomas Satoransky, who entered the protocols Monday.
#Pelicans rookie PG Jose Alvarado on picking up 94 feet defensively, which he did Tuesday vs. CP3: “That’s my role. I’ve got to play that to full effect. I’m going to keep doing it. I ain’t going to stop. That’s my focus, to give those (opposing) guards a headache.”
— Jim Eichenhofer (@Jim_Eichenhofer) January 6, 2022
Jose Alvarado is out after the game working on his free throws. Always the first one off the bench supporting his teammates and gives 110% effort on every possession. Hard not to like the guy
— The Pelicans Wave (@thepelicanswave) January 4, 2022
Jose Alvarado is an absolute pest. He has everyone frustrated and I love it
— Pro Pels Talk (@ProPelsTalk) January 4, 2022
*****
HOLSEY PUBLISHES GUIDE TO LIFE BOOK
Former Georgia Tech forward Kammeon Holsey, currently playing in the NBA G League, is now a published author. “Kam’s 30 Day Devotion: A Life Lived without God Is Incomplete”: an inspiring guide to living a life for God’s glory. Holsey graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Hancock County established Kammeon Holsey Day in honor of the author’s work with the youth of the area, cancer awareness efforts, and honoring cancer survivors.
*****
BOSH JOKES ABOUT RETURN TO HEAT
The Miami Heat signed Mario Chalmers to a 10-day contract on Thursday, and now Chris Bosh wants to get the band back together.
Bosh, a Hall of Famer who spent six seasons in Miami, joked that he wants Chalmers to try to convince the Heat to sign him, adding that he’s still in shape.
Hey @mchalmers15 tell them we can bring back the ol pick and roll! Let’s get the band back together!
I’m in shape 😬 https://t.co/nb7ErjshqH
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 31, 2021
*****
YOUNG REMAINS SUBJECT OT TRADE TALK
By now, it’s not a secret to Thaddeus Young that his time with the San Antonio Spurs is temporary.
The 33-year-old veteran is taking his pitstop in the Alamo City in stride, demonstrating why he’s become one of the most likable players in the NBA despite being put in a tough situation. Young had one of the better seasons of his long career last season with the Chicago Bulls. Since the trade that sent him south, he’s seen his playing time drop dramatically and several DNPs next to his name on box scores.
After getting regular playing time in November, Young didn’t play in eight of the Spurs’ 15 games in December, further showing San Antonio doesn’t see him as a long-term part of their future. The big question, then, lies in how the Spurs will handle the difficult situation. As you might expect, some outcomes would be better than others.
*****
WRIGHT BECOMES FREE AGENT
From CBSSports.com: The Clippers didn’t re-sign Moses Wright (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) when his 10-day contract expired Friday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
The decision to move on from Wright comes as little surprise after the rookie big man out of Georgia Tech was placed in the protocols with just three days left on his 10-day deal. Since he was unlikely to fully clear the protocols for several more days, the Clippers determined that the hardship exemption the team received from the NBA could be better used elsewhere. Wright appeared in one game during his time with LA, recording one assist in one minute in a 105-89 win over the Kings on Dec. 22.
*****
#ProJackets on Social Media
If GT had this squad as a starting 5 I’m convinced they would be a final 4 team.
PG Jose Alvarado
SG: Marcus Georges-Hunt
SF: Josh Okogie
PF: Moses Wright
C: James Banks
6th man (not pictured): Michael Devoe
It’s crazy that these guys all played for GT in the past 5 years pic.twitter.com/Yfisf1LVDF— Olin (@OBrimberry) January 6, 2022
遂に今日放送です！
是非観てください👀#とんねるずのスポーツ王は俺だ https://t.co/ExUTN2mb3e— シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer (@avi_schafer) January 2, 2022
official: Trae Golden rejoins Fujian and will play the phase 2 held in Jilin pic.twitter.com/i0N1AJmqiH
— FJbbnews (@FJbbnews) December 23, 2021
Birmingham trails by 7 at the half.
Guards John Petty Jr. and Jared Harper lead the team with 9 points each.
C James Banks III has already tied his season-high with 3 blocks in the first half. pic.twitter.com/tqWCCEIoxI
— Birmingham Squadron (@GleagueSquadron) November 29, 2021
This is the 17th New Year I’ve had with this hunk ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IAcm2zeBKM
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) January 1, 2022
.@imanshumpert can officially add at-home-child-delivery expert to his list of skills. 👏 https://t.co/NM5Q7ljMue
— POPSUGAR Family (@POPSUGARMoms) December 29, 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 |
Georgia Tech Eurobasket Report
As of January 1
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in China) could not help Fujian Sturgeons (3-13) in their game last Saturday. Despite his very good performance Fujian Sturgeons were defeated142-131on the road by the much higher-ranked Loongs (#6). Golden recorded a triple-double by scoring 54 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and passing 14 assists (made all of his eight free throws) in 43 minutes. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 45.3ppg, 9.0rpg, 10.7apg and 1.3spg.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, plays in Belgium) led his Belgian team Stella Artois Leuven Bears to a victory over the closely-ranked Belfius Mons-Hainaut (6-5) 96-91 in the BNXT League in Sunday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Heath had a double-double by scoring 29 points and making 11 passes. He also added 4 rebounds. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (7-5) is placed fourth in the BNXT League. There are only four games left until the end of the BNXT League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Heath has relatively good stats this year 11.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 6.1apg and 1.2spg in 12 games he played so far.
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91, graduated ’12, currently in Israel) was the main contributor in M.Haifa’s victory against the closely-ranked M.Raanana (4-8) 84-75 in the Israeli National League (second division) last Sunday. Rice Jr. was MVP of the game. He recorded 23 points and added 3 assists in 32 minutes. Maccabi Haifa (5-6) is placed ninth in the National League. It’s Rice Jr.’s first season with the team. This year Rice Jr. has very high stats. He averages 25.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.5apg and 2.0spg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked San-en NP (4-20) crushing them 97-69 in the Japanese B1 League on Saturday night. He recorded 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. SeaHorses Mikawa (13-11) is placed fifth in West group. This year Schafer averages 7.1ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.1apg in 24 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays in France) was not able to help one of league’s weakest teams Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket (4-10) in their game last Monday. Despite his good performance Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket was defeated94-79on the opponent’s court by the higher-ranked Paris (#15). Lawal scored 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 20 minutes. Lawal has relatively good stats this season 13.0ppg and 6.4rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95, graduated ’19, currently in Czech Republic) was the major contributor in a Usti n/Labem’s victory against the league outsider Olomoucko 73-61 in the Czech Republic NBL last Tuesday. He recorded 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. This year Alston averages 6.8ppg and 2.7rpg in 13 games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, plays pro in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin to win against the 11th-ranked Bayreuth crushing them 109-79 in the German BBL on Monday night. Lammers recorded only 3 points in 15 minutes. This season Lammers averages 6.6ppg and 3.9rpg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays in the NBA) contributed to a Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory against the Boston Celtics 108-103 in the NBA in Monday night’s game. Okogie scored 5 points and blocked 2 shots. This year Okogie averages 2.6ppg and 2.2rpg in 22 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, currently in Israel) helped Hapoel UNET Holon edge the ninth-ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva 75-74 in the Israeli Winner League last Saturday. He scored only 3 points in 20 minutes. This season Smith averages 4.7ppg.
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays pro in the NBA) helped Oklahoma City Thunder win their game against the New York Knicks 95-80 in the NBA on Friday night. Favors scored only 4 points. This year Favors averages 5.3ppg and 4.7rpg in 27 games.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) plays for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) plays for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) played for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rican BSN last year
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-94) played for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA last year
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) plays for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93) played for Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexican LNBP last year
James White (6’9”-F-93) played for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS last year
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-98) plays for Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) plays for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) plays for Konyaspor in Turkish TBL
Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) plays for Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario in the NBA G League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
