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Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report

THE FLATS – MLK Day celebration hits home for Atlanta native Derrick Favors Thaddeus Young judged one of the NBA’s most underrated players … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.

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FOR FAVORS, MLK DAY CELEBRATION HITS CLOSE TO HOME

When Thunder center Derrick Favors runs out onto the floor on Monday night in Dallas, he’ll be donning a warmup shirt developed by the NBA that pays homage to a specific moment in American history.

With a script designed after the carrying signs held at a rally just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the shirts will read “NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE JUSTICE A REALITY FOR ALL”, with “HONOR KING” on the back. During the NBA’s celebration of MLK Day, which features 12 games and 24 of the 30 teams in action, the focus will not only be on the basketball, but also on the legacy of King’s fight for equality.

“It’s a special day, a special moment, a special game,” said Favors. “It’s an opportunity to come out there and remember what he represented, remember what he stood for and make that a great day to play basketball.”

While Dr. King’s legacy is honored across America and the NBA always places an extra emphasis on the day, for Favors the celebration hits a little closer to home, literally. As a standout at South Atlanta High School, Favors grew up less than 20 minutes away from Dr. King’s homes on Auburn Avenue and Sunset Avenue, Morehouse College which King attended as an undergraduate, Ebenezer Baptist Church where King served as a minister and Rich’s Department Store where King led a famous sit-in.

When Favors matriculated to Georgia Tech for college, he was within 10 minutes of all those destinations. On MLK Day 2022, which lands two days after what would have been Dr. King’s 93rd birthday, those historic Atlanta landmarks are still revered. These days, there are also countless murals with his face and quotes on them, not to mention the King Center which is just steps away from Dr. King’s birth home and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Park, all within a short drive from where Favors grew up and spends time in the offseason.

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YOUNG CALLED ONE OF NBA’S MOST UNDERRATED PLAYERS

The Chicago Bulls fanbase is pretty fond of Thaddeus Young.

There is a great appreciation for the work he put in for 2 years in Chicago. However, the Bulls had to part ways with him to secure DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs, thus you won’t hear many grumblings considering Deebo is having an MVP season. Young isn’t playing much with the Spurs, but when he does, he is still producing. Perhaps that’s why Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has him regarded as one of the NBA’s most underrated players.

Bailey called Young and end-of-the-bench guy, but that’s not what his per-75-possessions metrics suggest.

“After a legitimate breakout campaign in his age-32 season with the Chicago Bulls, Thaddeus Young has found himself in and out of Gregg Popovich’s rotation with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021-22,” Bailey writes. “When he does get the chance to play, though, he continues to look like a versatile, playmaking big who can defend multiple positions. Since the start of last season, Young has a top-40 assist rate, with averages of 17.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.4 dimes, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per 75 possessions.”

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24 SECONDS: JOSE ALVARADO AT MIDPOINT OF ROOKIE YEAR

This month as part of our “24 Seconds” weekly Q&A series, Pelicans.com is checking in with New Orleans’ rookies to ask them about their adjustment to the professional level, at the halfway mark of the 2021-22 regular season. This week’s edition features undrafted two-way contract player Jose Alvarado, who recently has moved into a role as an every-game member of Willie Green’s rotation.

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#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24

PLAYERDATANUMBERSTEAM
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 17

Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in China) could not help Fujian Sturgeons (5-18) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Fujian Sturgeons lost120-109on the road to the much higher-ranked (#8) Loongs. Golden was the top scorer with 46 points. He also added 5 rebounds and dished 9 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) in 40 minutes. It was Fujian Sturgeons’ third consecutive loss in a row. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 40.3ppg, 5.9rpg, 10.4apg and 1.3spg in nine games he played so far.

Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays in Iran) was the major contributor in Chemidor’s victory against the fourth-ranked Niroo Zamini (0-16) crushing them 83-63 in a derby game in the Iranian Superleague on Thursday night. He recorded 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Chemidor Tehran (14-2) is placed first in Group E. There are only four games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical. This season Aminu has very high stats. He averages 16.0ppg and 12.0rpg.

Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-94, graduated ’17, currently in Belgium), who plays in Belgium was not able to help Stella Artois Leuven Bears (8-6) in their last game. Despite Heath’s very good performance Stella Artois Leuven Bears lost90-77on the opponent’s court to the leading Oostende. He was the second best scorer with 23 points. Heath also added 7 assists and 5 steals in 36 minutes. It was Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ first loss after three consecutive victories. His team will play only one more game in the BNXT League Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. Heath has relatively good stats this year 12.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.2apg and 1.4spg in 14 games.

Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays pro in Israel) led his Israeli team Hapoel UNET Holon to a 2-point victory against the closely-ranked Besiktas (3-3) 72-70 in the Basketball Champions League last Wednesday. Smith scored 11 points and added 3 passes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Hapoel UNET Holon (4-2) is placed second in the Basketball Champions League. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. This year he averages 10.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.7apg.

Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91, graduated ’12, plays in Israel) was not able to secure a victory for one of league’s weakest teams M.Haifa (3-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance M.Haifa lost88-81in Botevgrad to the second-ranked Balkan. Rice Jr. was the second best scorer with 19 points. He also added 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in 27 minutes. The Regular Season already ended in the Balkan League. It’s Rice Jr.’s first season with the team. Rice Jr. has very impressive stats this year 16.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 4.0apg and 2.8spg in four games.

Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, currently in France) led Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket to a victory against the second-ranked JL Bourg 98-97 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA in Saturday night’s game. Lawal recorded 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. He has relatively good stats this season 13.9ppg and 6.8rpg. Lawal is a naturalized Nigerian.

Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98, graduated ’21, plays pro in the NBA) managed to help New Orleans Pelicans in a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers crushing them 113-89 in the NBA last Thursday. Alvarado recorded only 4 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 15 minutes. This year he averages 2.4ppg, 1.1rpg and 1.4apg in 16 games.

Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the Oklahoma City Thunder in their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA. Favors scored 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. His team was defeated 107-102 in the NBA. This season he averages 5.1ppg and 4.6rpg.

Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95, graduated ’19, currently in Czech Republic) contributed to a Usti n/Labem’s victory against the closely-ranked Decin 77-73 in the Czech Republic NBL in Saturday night’s game. Alston recorded 10 points, 3 assists and 3 steals in 32 minutes. This year he averages 6.7ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.3apg in 17 games.

Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays pro in the NBA) helped Minnesota Timberwolves win their game against the Houston Rockets 141-123 in the NBA last Sunday. He scored only 4 points. This season Okogie averages 2.6ppg and 2.0rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.

Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:

  • Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
  • 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
  • Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
  • Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) plays for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
  • Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.

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