THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado be New Orleans’ backup point guard?… Thaddeus Young continues to be topic of trade rumors … Marcus Georges-Hunt signs with College Park Skyhawks … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
COULD ALVARADO BE PELICANS’ BACKUP PG?
The Pelicans may have found their new backup point guard.
Early in the season, when New Orleans was splitting those minutes between Kira Lewis Jr. and Tomáš Satoranský, it was an issue. Once Lewis went down, the backup point guard minutes became a full-blown disaster. And after Satoranský landed in health and safety protocols earlier this month, Green had to hand those minutes over to two-way rookie Jose Alvarado. He didn’t have any other options.
Alvarado’s numbers don’t jump off the page. He’s never even reached double-figure scoring. But he brings a different level of energy whenever he’s on the court.
He’s a fearless defender who’s willing to take on any matchup, even if he’s often undersized. He doesn’t make reckless decisions when the ball is in his hands. He can get downhill and make plays for Jaxson Hayes or Willy Hernangómez in the pick-and-roll, and his teammates love his infectious energy.
It also was nice to see him finally knock down a couple of 3-pointers en route to his six-point performance in Sunday’s loss.
RT IF YOU UNDERSTAND JOSE ALVARADO IS THE GOAT OF NOLA! THANK YOU FOR BEING A PEL 🤝🏀🔥🔥 @AlvaradoJose15 pic.twitter.com/0PbyUEzMHX
— retroPels (@retro_pels) January 14, 2022
Jose Alvarado on the swipe and pass! 💯pic.twitter.com/5cER1xIZZD
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) January 12, 2022
*****
YOUNG AMONG FOUR CANDIDATES WHO CAN HELP A CONTENDER
Martin Fenn at Sportscasting.com names five veteran players, including Thaddeus Young, who can help an NBA contender at the trade deadline. He writes about Young…
The San Antonio Spurs‘ curious handling of Thaddeus Young suggests he might get bought out rather than traded. Granted, the Spurs will deal the veteran forward if they get an offer they deem suitable. But it’s hard to imagine San Antonio getting great offers considering he’s hardly seen the floor.
Young has appeared in just 23 games this season and registered numerous DNP-coach’s decision designations. The Spurs are trying to build for the future and give minutes to lesser experienced players, but one would imagine they’d at least give Young some run to boost his value ahead of the February deadline.
In any event, the 33-year-old has the skill set to help a number of frontcourt units. Young is a strong rebounder who gets after it on the offensive glass. He racks up screen assists and is a willing passer when setting rubs or orchestrating dribble-handoff actions.
Indeed, Young is averaging 6.1 assists per 36 minutes this season. His playmaking and rebounding should appeal to several teams. He also creates offensive opportunities sometimes by barreling to the rim and collecting his misses.
The Phoenix Suns are among the teams that might show interest in Young, both ahead of the NBA trade deadline and in the buyout market.”
*****
GEORGES-HUNT SIGNS WITH HAWKS’ G LEAGUE AFFILIATE
The College Park Skyhawks announced today that the team has claimed Marcus Georges-Hunt off waivers.
Georges-Hunt, a 6-5 guard, most recently played for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association during the 2020-21 season. In 41 games (17 starts), Georges-Hunt averaged 25.9 points (.485 FG%/.389 3FG%/.801 FT%), 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 28.8 minutes per game.
The Riverdale, Ga. product has two seasons of NBA service, most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2017-18 season, where he appeared in 42 games. He also appeared in five games for the Orlando Magic during the 2016-17 season.
*****
REMEMBER THIS GAME-WINNING SHOT FROM CHRIS BOSH?
#ProJackets on Social Media
Basketball Saturday pic.twitter.com/rkRCu8o79f
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) January 8, 2022
Powerful first book study of the new year lead by Eric Zhang. The conversation chapter one sparked was absolutely amazing.📚🏀 #WhenYouAintNothingButTired #LetterstoaYoungAthlete #dhshoops pic.twitter.com/X1dbh8yOBd
— Coach Matt Lochte (@CoachLochte) January 6, 2022
Show Time! #CenterCourt Warriors vs Grizz! 🏀👍🏾🔥🗣 pic.twitter.com/a4ZFHLw17H
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) January 12, 2022
SideLineShorty 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/lgUkPQ0PVh
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) January 10, 2022
#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 9
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in China) led Fujian Sturgeons to a victory over the league outsider Monkey Kings (1-19) crushing them 118-94 in the Chinese CBA on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Golden recorded a double-double by scoring 51 points and making 11 passes. He also added 6 rebounds and 7 steals (made all of his fifteen free throws !!!) in 41 minutes. Fujian Sturgeons (5-15) are placed 17th in the CBA. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 40.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 10.6apg and 1.7spg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays in Israel) could not help Hapoel UNET Holon (4-2) in their last game. Despite his good performance Hapoel UNET Holon was edged73-72on the road by the lower-ranked (#3) Besiktas. Smith was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 4 assists. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. This year Smith averages 9.5ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.5apg in two games he played so far.
Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, currently in Iran) was not able to help Chemidor in their game against Mahram (11-2) in the Iranian Superleague. Despite his good performance on Tuesday night Aminu recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 16 rebounds in 37 minutes. It was his first game for Chemidor this season. The Regular Season already ended.
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91, graduated ’12, plays pro in Israel) was not able to secure a victory for M.Haifa (11-1) in their game against I.Nahariya (13-1) in the Israeli National League (second division), despite his very good performance in Tuesday night’s game. Rice Jr. had a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 3 assists. But the league leader M.Haifa was badly defeated81-63at home by the leading I.Nahariya. Rice Jr. has very impressive stats this year 24.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.3apg and 1.3spg in three games.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, plays in Belgium) was the major contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the eighth-ranked Okapi Aalst (4-9) crushing them 103-73 in the BNXT League in Friday night’s game. Heath scored 17 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 7 assists in 32 minutes. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (8-5) is placed fourth in the BNXT League. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the BNXT League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Heath has relatively good stats this season 11.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.2apg and 1.1spg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, currently in Germany) contributed to an ALBA Berlin’s victory against the ninth-ranked Hamburg Towers 88-80 in the German BBL last Sunday. Lammers scored 11 points. This year Lammers averages 7.1ppg and 3.8rpg in nine games.
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays pro in France) contributed to a Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket’s victory against the closely-ranked SIG Strasbourg 106-98 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA on Saturday night. Lawal recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. Lawal has relatively good stats this season 13.5ppg and 6.7rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays in the NBA) helped Minnesota Timberwolves win their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder crushing them 135-105 in the NBA in Friday night’s game. He recorded 8 points. This year Okogie averages 2.9ppg and 2.2rpg in 24 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, currently in the NBA) couldn’t help the Oklahoma City Thunder in their game against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 13 minutes. His team was defeated 95-86 in the NBA. This season Favors averages 5.4ppg and 4.7rpg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) helped SeaHorses Mikawa edge the tenth-ranked Kyoto Hannaryz 79-78 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. He recorded 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. This year Schafer averages 7.0ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.1apg in 26 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) plays for Los Angeles/Agua Caliente Clippers in the NBA
- Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-90) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA last season
- 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
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) plays for Usti n/Labem in Czech Republic NBL
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- 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
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94) plays for Konyaspor in Turkish TBL
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-98) plays for Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) played for Trilogy in the Big3 last year
- 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
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-83) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
