THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado earns rave reviews for his rookie season … Thaddeus Young has earned respect in Toronto, but will new contract come … Michael Devoe invited to G League Elite camp … What’s next for Derrick Favors in OKC? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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PELICANS ROOKIE REVIEW: RISING STAR ALVARADO
Jose Alvarado can do more than shoot. In fact, Alvarado’s value to the team and effect on the crowd goes well past what is happening on the court. That’s why the New Orleans Pelicans converted his two-way contract into a four-year, $6.5 million deal. They believe Alvarado can be the supporting guard CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson need in the NBA Playoffs.
Alvarado’s confident competitiveness is infectious. He led the Birmingham Squadron before moving to the end of the Pelicans’ bench. His energy and positive attitude were obvious even during games in which he did not play. It did not take long for Willie Green to put that energy to good use, unleashing Alvarado’s full-court press on the NBA in January.
The hope is the playoff series against Phoenix Suns was Alvarado’s star turn. He was closing out playoff wins and even snuck up for the ‘GTA’ steal in Game 4 after Paul waved him off in Game 1. Alvarado hounding Chris Paul into 8-second violations and a flagrant foul for lashing out. Alvarado made Paul, one of the greatest ever, that uncomfortable in a first-round series.
Love & Gratitude ❤️#PelsOnSocial 📲
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 5, 2022
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ROOKIE MOTHERS REFLECT ON YEAR 1
Odilia Martinez was only 16 when she had Jose Alvarado.
She wasn’t about to let him become a statistic.
He beat all the odds, going from undrafted player out of Georgia Tech to a fan favorite in the Big Easy almost overnight.
“I’m super proud of him,” Martinez said. “He fulfilled everything I couldn’t. I paused after having him.”
Martinez saw a lot of the same things in her son that Pelicans’ fans have seen all season. He was just as wired up as a kid as he is now on the court. He would stand up in class while doing his schoolwork because he just didn’t like sitting down in a desk. She became president of the PTA to make sure she was more involved.
“He was so fidgety and just couldn’t be at a place too long,” she said with a laugh. “He hasn’t really changed much, other than his persona. I’m proud of the gentleman he has become.”
More from NOLA.com (subsciption required)
Alvarado talks championship if Zion Williamson returns (Pelicans Scoop)
“Grand theft Alvarado!”@AlvaradoJose15 got the steal on @TheJetOnTNT in Studio J 🤣 pic.twitter.com/potDB1PTvC
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 10, 2022
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ALVARADO VOWS TO WIN DPOY HONOR
All Jose Alvarado did during his first season in the NBA is go from undrafted free agent playing on a two-way deal to someone with a four-year contract hounding Chris Paul in the playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans guard isn’t setting limits on what he can do as his career continues, as one of his goals is to win the Defensive Player of the Year award:
Anyone who watched the Pelicans push the top-seeded Phoenix Suns to six games in the first round would be hard-pressed to argue with him. He came off the bench in all six contests and consistently changed the energy with full-court pressure and persistent defense on Paul and Co.
Speak it into existence 🗣 @AlvaradoJose15 pic.twitter.com/STjLCd221h
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 5, 2022
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YOUNG HAS EARNED MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH RAPTORS
The Toronto Raptors raised some eyebrows when they acquired Thad Young from the San Antonio Spurs right before the trade deadline. Giving up a first-round pick for a 33-year-old power forward on a team loaded with power forwards caught some fans a bit off-guard.
After just a few months in Toronto, Young has quickly become one of the most beloved players on the team. Providing an excellent veteran component to a squad that doesn’t have anyone else older than 30, Young’s sagely advice has played an enormous role in getting Toronto prepared for the postseason.
Young came to play in two of his more critical games against the Philadelphia 76ers, as he recorded 13 points in a Game 4 victory and made some big defensive stops in Game 5. He was one of Toronto’s primary weapons when it came to making sure that Joel Embiid was kept in check.
#21 Thaddeus Young⁰⁰
A late season addition, was interesting to see and photograph how he became a key member of the rotation.⁰ The way he defended earned him a lot of fans! pic.twitter.com/DGBO1fZeUt— Steve Russell (@SteveRussell) May 7, 2022
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR FAVORS IN OKC?
Derrick Favors was having fun in Las Vegas last summer when he got a call from his agent around 11 p.m. or midnight. Favors, who had spent parts of 10 seasons with the Jazz, had been salary dumped in a trade to the Thunder.
“At first it was kind of a tough thing to deal with,” Favors said before the season, “but right now I’m all in on it … I just want to help them out as much as I can, for however long I’m here.”
Favors stuck to his word.
The 30-year-old center, who played a contributing role on good Jazz teams, was used intermittently on a rebuilding Thunder squad before he was shut down for the last month-plus of the season with lower back soreness.
What’s next for Derrick Favors after first season with OKC Thunder? ‘I enjoy being in this atmosphere’ https://t.co/n9t7Xl21ic
— ThunderXtra (@ThunderXtra) May 6, 2022
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FAVORS-INGLES TWITTER EXCHANGE LEAVES JAZZ FANS EMOTIONAL
Joe Ingles and Derrick Favors were undoubtedly two fan favorites during their years together with the Utah Jazz, and their pick-and-roll combination was incredibly effective on the court.
Those two things collided Monday night during a Twitter exchange that ended up leaving a bunch of Jazz fans emotionally longing for the past.
It all started Monday morning when the Oklahoma City Thunder, Favors’ current team, posted a video of Favors breaking down a pick and roll involving him and Australian rookie teammate Josh Giddey, which gave the Thunder their first win of last season.
More from the Deseret News
I would agree @dfavors14!! 😂🤝 https://t.co/uAD0etnDVA
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) May 10, 2022
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DEVOE GETS G LEAGUE ELITE CAMP INVITE; USHER IN L.A.
Life is getting busier for Michael Devoe. Since being named the MVP if the Portsmouth Invitational in April, the senior guard has worked out for the Atlanta Hawks and gone through Georgia Tech commencement with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Now, he has the same opportunity that his teammate Jose Alvarado received to bolster his pre-draft exposure with an invitation to the NBA G League Elite Camp. He is one of 44 draft prospects who will attend the same May 16 and 17 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Alvarado benefitted from the opportunity to sign a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, and later, receive a four-year contract from the club.
The 2022 NBA G League Elite Camp gives draft prospects an opportunity to display their skills in front of NBA and NBA G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives over the course of the camp by playing in five-on-five games and participating in strength and agility drills.
Based on performance, select players from the NBA G League Elite Camp will be invited to participate in Microsoft Surface NBA Draft Combine 2022, which will be held May 18-22 at Wintrust Arena.
NBA players that have participated in past NBA G League Elite Camps not only include Alvarado, but also Indiana Pacers forward Oshae Brissett, LA Clippers guard Terance Mann and Miami Heat guard Max Strus.
NBA Draft Room has Devoe listed No. 61, on the bubble, in its draft projection.
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Working out for the #LakeShow today: Jordan Usher@Callmeush x @GTMBB pic.twitter.com/RwMC0TWtAZ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 10, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
These are the 3 teams I love ,New Jersey Nets @BrooklynNets ,@trailblazers @celtics pic.twitter.com/W13TSRYTXN
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) May 9, 2022
if/when Jose Alvarado gets his first commercial, it’s going to be 30 seconds of him hiding in random places before stealing people’s things. but he doesnt steal them, he hands them back and says “if you had RING, you would have seen this coming!” this idea is free. pay the man.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 10, 2022
シーホース三河での2021-22シーズン。
最終戦でプレイオフ進出を逃すというまじで悔しい結果になってしまいました。
うまくいかないことも多く、学ぶことの多いシーズンになりました。シーホースファンの皆様、今シーズン本当に沢山の青援ありがとうございました！💯💯 pic.twitter.com/Awe7G0YwM2
— シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer (@avi_schafer) May 10, 2022
“I forgot I was mic’d that whole game” 🤣@PelicansNBA guard @AlvaradoJose15 tells @TaylorRooks & @AdamLefkoe the story behind “Can he shoot?” #NBATwitterLive pic.twitter.com/64KE8EGJGM
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 10, 2022
Mom and Dad pic.twitter.com/bEjJNkRqVC
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) May 8, 2022
I’ll be giving away some signed stuff that from Thad (@yungsmoove21) again. It starts on Sunday. Good luck! https://t.co/8hlvUsGFC5
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) May 5, 2022
Name your all time Cavs starting 5 pic.twitter.com/ThprZhHamT
— Cavaliers Nation (@WeAreCavsNation) May 5, 2022
My guy @Mark25Price was the 2nd reason I went to @GeorgiaTech He was a awesome pt.Guard pic.twitter.com/tzJqllfuH5
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) May 11, 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 7.0 ppg 2.2 rpg 2.0 apg 40.6% FG | Record: 47-32 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W2 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 5.5 ppg 5.3 rpg 1.7 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 14.8 ppg 3.8 rpg 3.0 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 5.6 ppg 4.6 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 4.7 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.4% FG | Record: 46-33 Standing: 7th place, -9.0 GB Streak: L2 Last 10: 6-4 |
 | 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 4.3 ppg 3.2 rpg 1.8 apg 60.6% FG | Record: 46-33 Standing: 7th place, -9.0 GB Streak: L2 Last 10: 6-4 |
Georgia Tech #ProJackets Eurobasket Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Israel) could not help Hapoel UNET Holon (16-11) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Hapoel UNET Holon (16-11) lost 75-90 on the road to the higher-ranked (#3) Bnei Hasharon in the Places 1-6 group. Smith was the top scorer with 24 points. He also added 4 passes in 37 minutes. The Second Stage already ended. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. Smith has relatively good stats this year 13.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.6apg in 13 games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) led ALBA Berlin to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked MLP Academics Heidelberg (11-22) crushing them 110-70 in the German BBL on Sunday night. Lammers recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. ALBA Berlinis placed first in the BBL. This season Lammers averages 7.0ppg, 3.9rpg and 1.3bpg.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, graduated ‘2017, currently in Belgium) led Stella Artois Leuven Bears to an easy victory against Spirou Charleroi 80-63 in the Belgian BNXT League in Tuesday night’s game. Heath recorded 12 points and added 9 assists in 36 minutes. It was his first game for Stella Artois Leuven Bears this season. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. His team is placed in the BNXT League.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Argentina) contributed to Regatas’ victory against the 11th-ranked Riachuelo LR (16-22) 92-85 in the Argentinian La Liga last Thursday. He scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Regatas Corrientes (27-11) is placed sixth in the La Liga. It was his team’s eighth consecutive victory in a row. Mitchell has relatively good stats this season 10.8ppg and 5.5rpg.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) was not able to help the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) in their last game. Despite Alvarado’s good performance the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) lost 109-115 in Phoenix to the Suns. He scored 11 points and added 4 passes in 31 minutes. It’s Alvarado’s first season with the team. This year Alvarado averages 6.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg in 62 games.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, currently in Japan) led SeaHorses Mikawa to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Shiga L-Stars 103-87 in the Japanese B1 League in Wednesday night’s game. He recorded 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. This season Schafer averages 7.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.1apg. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, graduated ‘2010, plays pro in France) was not able to secure a victory for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in their game against Le Portel in the French Betclic ELITE ProA. He was the second best scorer with 9 points. Lawal also added 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 20 minutes. His team lost 74-79. He has relatively good stats this year 13.1ppg and 5.9rpg in 32 games. Lawal is a naturalized Nigerian.
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991, graduated ‘2014, plays in Japan) couldn’t help Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo (19-34) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Miller’s good performance the ninth-placed Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo was defeated 82-73 in Tokyo by the higher-ranked Alvark (#3) in the East group. He was the second best scorer with 12 points. Miller also added 7 rebounds. This season he averages 4.2ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.5apg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, graduated ‘2005, currently in Japan) was the major contributor in a Shinshu BW’s victory against the 11th-ranked San-en NP 78-68 in the Japanese B1 League in Saturday night’s game. He scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 10.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.4apg and 1.5spg in 48 games.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, graduated ‘2015, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help Yamaguchi (12-40) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance Yamaguchi were crushed106-68 at home by the higher-ranked Saitama (#8). Sampson recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 16 rebounds. He also added 4 blocks. Sampson has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 18.6ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7bpg and 1.4spg. Sampson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-1990) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA in 2020-21
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991) plays for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) plays for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987) plays for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for M.Haifa in Israeli National League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) plays for Decin in Czech Republic NBL
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-1990) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- James White (6’9”-F-1993) played for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS last year
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997) plays for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-1994) plays for I.Ramat Gan in Israeli National League
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-1983) played for Trilogy in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Institute of Technology basketball alumni.
