THE FLATS – Off-season rumors begin to swirl around Thaddeus Young, Josh Okogie … Okogie doing community work … The day Larry Bird taught John Salley a lesson … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OFF-SEASON SPECULATION ABOUT THADDEUS YOUNG
The Toronto Raptors made a very risky maneuver when they gave up a first-round pick for a 33-year-old player having his worst season in Thad Young. It took all of a few weeks for the Raptors to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they got one over on the San Antonio Spurs.
Young averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. While that doesn’t sound like eye-popping production, the value he brought to the team as a connector and glue guy on the bench was one of the main reasons that Toronto was able to stay hot amid a host of injuries.
Young has accomplished a ton in his career, but a ring has escaped him. He will prioritize getting that elusive first ring when picking his next destination. If Toronto’s pitch to Young that features him as the greybeard switchblade off of the bench doesn’t win him over, he’s as good as gone.
The Raptors not only need to worry about Chris Boucher leaving them at the altar, but they need to be aware of Young potentially deciding to join a ready-made winner. These three teams might give Toronto the most friction and competition when it comes time to fight for Young’s services.
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THE DAY LARRY BIRD TAUGHT JOHN SALLEY A LESSON
Here’s an impressive player comp: Luka Doncic and Larry Bird.
“I would be afraid to play against Luka. That’s how good he is,” former NBA player John Salley said recently on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “Larry Bird would put fear in me like Luka does.”
And Salley recalls a time Bird instilled that fear.
“Larry gets in the game one time, and for some reason (Detroit Pistons coach) Chuck Daly puts me in,” Salley said.
Here’s the exchange between Salley and Bird.
Bird: “You on me?”
Salley: “I say, ‘Yeah, I got size on you.'”
Bird: “Y’all not double teaming me? (while looking around for a second defender)”
Salley: ‘Nah, it’s just me.”
Bird: “Mouse in the house!”
Salley continued: “They change the play, he shoots and says, ‘You better ask for a double team, bruh.'”
Salley said he just happened to pick up a couple of fouls soon afterward and got benched.
More from the Indianapolis Star
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OKOGIE CHATS WITH STUDENTS ABOUT NFT’S AND BASKETBALL
Timberwolves small forward Josh Okogie stopped in at Highland Park High School to chat with students about technology, it’s importance and a form of digital art called a non-fungible token, or NFT.
The person who produces the art owns it, and it can be bought and sold.
Okogie’s teammate, Timberwolves power forward Jarred Vanderbilt also chatted with the students virtually.
Okogie is entering his fifth season in the NBA, all with Minnesota.
The Timberwolves just hired one of the top front office executives in the league in Tim Connelly, formely with the Denver Nuggets. That move has created some buzz with players like Okogie with the direction the Wolves are headed.
“Just seeing his track record and what he’s done over in Denver, I’m definitely excited for that,” said Okogie. “I feel like this past season was a stepping stone into the future for sure.”
#ProJackets on Social Media
#LeaveIt https://t.co/CXMd2uQeQh
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) May 25, 2022
Facts https://t.co/d00YB5oAHQ
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) May 19, 2022
On the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Highland Park High School students gifted an NFT to Josh Okogie and Jarred Vanderbilt of the Minnesota Timberwolves. https://t.co/15OkjKBehA
— KARE 11 (@kare11) May 26, 2022
JOSEEE! 🗣 pic.twitter.com/zmGyQm9nKe
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 18, 2022
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#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 #ProJackets Eurobasket Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, graduated ‘2017, plays pro in Belgium) was the major contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the league outsider Kangoeroes (0-1) 95-86 in the Belgian BNXT League in Monday night’s game. He recorded 20 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists in 41 minutes. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (1-0) is placed first in the BNXT League. Heath has relatively good stats this year 11.7ppg, 2.3rpg and 6.3apg in seven games he played so far.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, plays in Puerto Rico) could not help Mets de Guaynabo (7-9) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Georges-Hunt’s very good performance the fourth-placed Mets de Guaynabo (7-9) was edged117-115 on the road by the lower-ranked Indios (#5) in the Group B. He recorded a double-double by scoring 27 points and getting 11 rebounds. Georges-Hunt has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 22.0ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.5apg. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ‘2009, currently in Puerto Rico) led Gigantes de Carolina to a victory against the fourth-ranked Mets (7-9) 83-81 in the Puerto Rican BSN on Sunday night. Aminu had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 3 assists in 36 minutes. Gigantes de Carolina (4-8) is placed second from the bottom (#11) in Group B. Aminu has very impressive stats this year 18.3ppg, 11.0rpg and 1.5apg in six games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays pro in Germany) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Brose Bamberg (18-16) crushing them 103-70 in the German BBL in Thursday night’s game. He scored 10 points. ALBA Berlin (27-6) is placed first in the BBL. It was his team’s 11th consecutive victory in a row. This season Lammers averages 7.0ppg, 4.3rpg and 1.1bpg.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-1994, graduated ‘2019, plays in Israel) was not able to help I.Ramat Gan (20-8) in their last game. Despite Gueye’s good performance I.Ramat Gan lost 61-65 at home to the lower-ranked (#4) E.Kiryat Ata. He had a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 13 rebounds. Gueye also added 3 assists and 3 blocks in 35 minutes. It was I.Ramat Gan’s first loss after ten consecutive victories. This year Gueye averages 10.0ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.6bpg and 1.1spg in 18 games.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992) plays for Hapoel UNET Holon in Israeli Winner League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993) plays for Regatas in Argentinian La Liga
- Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-1990) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA few monts ago
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991) plays for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987) plays for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) plays for Champagne Chalons-Reims 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
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991) plays for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- James White (6’9”-F-1993) played for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS last year
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-1983) played for Trilogy in the Big3 last year
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997) 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.
