THE FLATS – Josh Okogie remains a trusted leadership figure on the Timberwolves’ bench … Jose Alvarado possibility repping Puerto Rico national team? … From basketball to mirrorball for Iman Shumpert … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE A TRUSTED VOICE ON TIMBERWOLVES BENCH
Every NBA player wants minutes, especially when he is in a contract year. That’s the situation guard Josh Okogie is in this season for the Timberwolves, as he is playing through the last year of his rookie deal.
Okogie will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, meaning the Wolves control his free-agent rights. He hasn’t played less in any of his previous three seasons for the Wolves and has been out of the rotation for weeks.
But Okogie hasn’t let whatever disappointment he may feel bleed over into the team, coach Chris Finch said, and Finch considers Okogie one of the leaders even though he isn’t playing on a regular basis.
“When you have leaders who don’t play, it means you have true leadership on your team,” Finch said.
Okogie got to play in the Wolves’ 124-81 win over Portland on Monday, with the reserves taking up the minutes in the fourth quarter. He finished with nine points.
More from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
LET’S GOOOO JO pic.twitter.com/aFaQrx6SEF
— Minnesota Timberwwwwwwolves (@Timberwolves) March 8, 2022
“We’re Trying to Win, So I’m Going to Do My Part.” Josh Okogie Postgame Press Conferencehttps://t.co/u4x8JwS9kKhttps://t.co/u4x8JwS9kK
— VCP Hoops (@VCPHoops) March 8, 2022
That felt good..
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) March 8, 2022
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WILL ALVARADO REPRESENT PUERTO RICO NATIONAL TEAM?
There are many who are eager to see Enebeista José Alvarado soon in Puerto Rican uniform: from fan to Puerto Rican Basketball Association (Fbpur) president, Yum Ramos.
Add to that list Mayaguez and former shipowner Jose Juan Barria.
The former champion with the Dallas Mavericks has already confirmed Alvarado’s interest in playing for the national team, at a time when he had his first NBA experience with the New Orleans Pelicans.
“I’ve met Jose Alvarado a few times. He’s always shown a great interest in playing (for Al Jazeera). He plays very well. He has a lot of talent. I’d like to see him with Puerto Rico,” said Barria. speaker.
Alvarado is one of the players looking to Fbpur in the third FIBA qualifier window, which takes place in July in Puerto Rico. By then, the NBA Finals were ending a month earlier, on June 19 at the latest.
Barilla – who is looking into the possibility of playing one last time for Puerto Rico in that qualifying period – indicated that including Alvarado in the squad would go hand in hand with his vision: to always have the top 12 talents on the field.
Alvarado has roots from Puerto Rico and Mexico, which means he could pick one of the two countries for his international basketball career.
Alvarado closed with five points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four steals, four assists, three rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Tuesday’s 132-111 loss to the Grizzlies.
Alvarado brought the defensive numbers Tuesday, with his four steals representing his highest total in that category since late January.
Since Jose Alvarado joined @PelicansNBA, Brandon Ingram has treated him like family.
“That guy’s a superstar. He don’t have to do that for me, but he’s a great human being. … I’m lucky to call him my friend.”
Exclusive with @WillGuillory: https://t.co/0LEiSQIbeg pic.twitter.com/NQgzbY6jph
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) March 10, 2022
Jose Alvarado Last Night:
7 Points
2 Rebounds
3 Assists
3 Steals
Several new pairs of socks pic.twitter.com/BlWQgr62RP— Jose Alvarado Stan Account (@ZackNRubin) March 5, 2022
Jose Alvarado leads the Pelicans with a net-rating of +22.2 over their last 15 games.
He’s averaging 14.4 points, 6.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per-36 in that time. pic.twitter.com/sbHth6TiQX— The Bird Calls (@TheBirdCallsNO) March 8, 2022
Jose Alvarado is so fun. Love his funk pic.twitter.com/F8o9kflbvA
— Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) March 3, 2022
“Never give up” – Jose Alvarado probably#WBD pic.twitter.com/845r1FZpi1
— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) March 10, 2022
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HOW UNDERSIZED ALVARADO HAS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATION AS A ROOKIE
As an undrafted free agent on a two-way contract, rookie guard Jose Alvarado wasn’t expected to play a major role for the Pelicans this season, but he has exceeded all expectations and leads first-year players in plus-minus, says Christian Clark of NOLA.com. The Pelicans have a +12.4 net rating when Alvarado plays, compared to -4.6 when he sits.
More from NOLA.com (subscription required)
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FROM BASKETBALL TO MIRROR BALL FOR IMAN SHUMPERT
When professional basketball star Iman Shumpert watched Dancing with the Stars co-star JoJo Siwa, he thought there was no way he was going to win the Season 30 mirror ball trophy.
“I don’t go into stuff trying to lose, though,” the free agent player says with a laugh. “I felt like it would be tough. Anybody who saw JoJo dance would have felt the same: I couldn’t beat someone who could go so seamlessly from ballroom female to male style. That takes talent.
“To watch that live, I would get lost in her dances. I thought I couldn’t give a better show than that. I’m not dipping my back, for example.”
Week six was a game changer for him and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach.
“Dani incorporated lifts into the choreography, and we found our niche. It was then that I thought we had a good chance,” Shumpert says.
The partners will show off their mirror ball trophy at “Dancing with the Stars Live!” at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.
If you told me 10 years ago I would be on a tour to dance I would have told you to grow up….we grown now 😂 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rv4Ah2opox
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) March 2, 2022
#ProJackets on Social Media
New Maverick two-way player Moses Wright had 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal for the Texas Legends tonight pic.twitter.com/oT7hlCkYQE
— All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs) March 9, 2022
We haven’t seen him in a game yet, but this is Moses Wright working out before Monday’s Utah game. pic.twitter.com/7A0iQYj67B
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) March 8, 2022
Q4 10:48 TOR 91 · SAS 84
Thaddeus Young (2,156 career offensive rebounds) needs 2 offensive rebounds to tie John Drew for 73rd on the All-Time offensive rebounds list at 2,158
source: NBA alerts pic.twitter.com/0wutQRFOEp— Top Data NBA… Live! (@TopDataNBA_Live) March 10, 2022
The one picture we just have to take at every arena. pic.twitter.com/V9TFNNSgVF
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) March 4, 2022
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) March 7, 2022
Comin in hot. Big Bug! pic.twitter.com/0TaUol4Iso
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) March 4, 2022
CrunchTime! 8:30/11pm
@RoParrish and SideLineShorty! #LeaveIt ✅ pic.twitter.com/Mgw7z1Y1bp— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) March 8, 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 |
