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Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report

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THE FLATS –Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher both signed contracts as free agents Thursday night following the NBA Draft, Devoe with the Los Angeles Clippers and Usher with the Utah Jazz … Thaddeus Young’s return to Toronto could be complicated … Jose Alvarado talks about influence of NY Liberty star … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.

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DEVOE, USHER GET PRO OPPORTUNITIES

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Georgia Tech’s Michael Devoe agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Clippers after he wasn’t selected in the NBA draft Thursday, according to several reports. An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year minimum contract that guarantees a training-camp invitation. It could be converted into a two-way contract for Devoe to play with the G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers. Devoe also will play with the Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League next month. In addition, Tech’s Jordan Usher agreed to a summer league deal with the Jazz, according to a person familiar with the situation, after he wasn’t drafted. It’s a foot in the door for the energetic and versatile Usher, who had a pre-draft workout with the Jazz.”

Georgia Tech draft picks and free agent signings all-time

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MICHAEL DEVOE DRAFT NIGHT ACTIVITY

From Jackson Caudell at Yardbarker.com: “Devoe’s biggest strength is his ability to score. He is a career 39.3% three-point shooter and is a playmaker for the offense. He is a good defender, although not an elite one. His weaknesses are that he is not the best rebounder and is just an average athlete. He can also be inefficient at times. I think he can overcome weaknesses because of his ability to score. That and his size at 6-5 195 LBS are going to be appealing to NBA teams, but it might not result in Devoe getting drafted. Most projections have him going in the second round or undrafted and that is what I expect as well.”

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JORDAN USHER DRAFT ACTIVITY

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TECH’S NBA DRAFT HISTORY

Overall – A total of 45 Georgia Tech players have been selected in the NBA Draft (see chronological list), Josh Okogie being the most recent in 2018. Since the draft was reduced to two rounds in 1989, 24 Yellow Jackets have been selected. Nine other players have been signed as free agents in the aftermath of the draft and spent time on active NBA rosters.

First-round picks – Georgia Tech has had 19 players taken in the first round overall, 17 of them since 1989. Josh Okogie was the last Yellow Jacket to be selected in the first round, 20th overall in 2018 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with whom he still plays. Two Georgia Tech players been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in the same year once – Thaddeus Young (12th overall) and Javaris Crittenton (19th) in 2007.

Lottery picks – Eight Tech players have been “lottery picks” (one of the top 14 players chosen) since the lottery was implemented in 1985. They are: John Salley (11th overall to Detroit, 1985), Tom Hammonds (9th overall to Washington in 1989), Dennis Scott (4th to Orlando in 1990), Kenny Anderson (2nd to New Jersey in 1991), Stephon Marbury (4th to Milwaukee in 1996), Chris Bosh (4th to Toronto in 2003), Thaddeus Young (12th overall to Philadelphia in 2007) and Derrick Favors (3rd overall to New Jersey in 2010).

Highest draft pick – Kenny Anderson (No. 2 overall to New Jersey in 1991)

Next highest picks – Derrick Favors (No. 3 overall to New Jersey), Stephon Marbury (No. 4 overall to Milwaukee in 1996, traded to Minnesota); Dennis Scott (No. 4 overall to Orlando in 1990); Chris Bosh (No. 4 overall to Toronto in 2003)

Early NBA entries – Though they were seniors and have graduated, Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright are considered early entries to the draft since they had the option of returning to Georgia Tech for an extra year of eligibility. They are the 13th and 14th Tech players to make an early entry into the NBA draft. The other early entries were Dennis Scott (1990), Kenny Anderson (1991), Stephon Marbury (1996), Dion Glover (1998), Chris Bosh (2003), Jarrett Jack (2005), Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton (2007), Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors (2010), Iman Shumpert (2011) and Josh Okogie (2018).

Two players drafted in the same year – The last time two Georgia Tech players were selected in the same draft was 2010, when Derrick Favors was taken third overall by the New Jersey Nets, and Gani Lawal went in the second round, 46th overall, by the Phoenix Suns. Overall, two players have been selected in the same draft 10 times.

Draft choices by team – The hometown NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks, has drafted three Georgia Tech players in its history – guard Phil Wagner in 1968 (6th round), guard George Thomas in 1983 (8th round) and guard Dion Glover in 1999 (1st round), while New Jersey, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Seattle (now Oklahoma City) also have selected three Tech players each. Franchises which have never selected a Tech player in the draft – Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis, New Orleans and San Antonio.

Notable – From 1985 to 2001, at least one Georgia Tech player was selected in every draft except 1994.

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YOUNG’S RETURN TO RAPTORS COMPLICATED

The Raptors’ path to creating the deepest roster possible for this coming season involves keeping both Chris Boucher and Thaddeus Young, both of whom will be free agents. The Raptors have both players’ Bird rights, which means they can exceed the salary cap by any amount they choose in order to retain them.

Eric Koreen from The Athletic lays out the numbers for teams with which Young could potentially land.

More from The Athletic

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ALVARADO TALKS ZION, WEATHERSPOON

If you enjoyed watching New York City’s Jose Alvarado on the court with the Pelicans this season, you should thank ex-Liberty star and Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon.

Alvarado credits Weatherspoon, an assistant coach with Pelicans, with helping him on and off the court during his rookie season.

While chatting at a New Era event last week, Alvarado recalled a conversation with Weatherspoon early last year that left an impact.

“I asked her, ‘Do you think I’m ever going to play in the NBA?’ She was like, ‘Man, quit it! I don’t want to hear (that) from you no more,’” Alvarado recalled with a laugh. “She believed in me from the jump. She helped me a lot, she made me mentally strong, and obviously helped me get better with the game because she was good, she passed the ball, she played defense. She gave me that mindset.”

#ProJackets on Social Media

#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2024-25

PLAYERDATANUMBERSTEAM
JOSE ALVARADO
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Number: 15
NBA Experience: 4th season
Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Status: Active		6-0, 179 lbs
2024-25 Stats
9.8 ppg
2.0 rpg
4.9 apg
39.4% FG
40.9% 3pt FG		Record: 12-32
Standing: 14th place, -24 GB
Streak: W4
Last 10: 7-3
JOSH OKOGIE
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Number: 12
NBA Experience: 7th season
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
Status: Active		6-4, 213 lbs
2024-25 Stats
6.0 ppg
2.9 rpg
0.6 apg
47.5% FG
37.8% 3pt FG		Record: 11-28
Standing: 13th place, -23.5 GB
Streak: W3
Last 10: 4-6

Georgia Tech #ProJackets Eurobasket Report

Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC (June 9, 2022)

Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, graduated ‘2017, plays pro in Belgium) led his Belgian team Stella Artois Leuven Bears to a 2-point victory over the seventh-ranked Okapi Aalst (9-1) 73-71 in the BNXT League last Saturday. He was MVP of the game. Heath recorded 21 points and had 4 steals in 33 minutes. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (8-2) is placed third in the BNXT League. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. Heath has relatively good stats this year 13.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.3apg and 1.6spg in 31 games he played so far.

Experienced Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ‘2009, plays in Puerto Rico) led Gigantes de Carolina to a victory against the third-ranked Cangrejeros (8-9) 82-75 in the Puerto Rican BSN on Tuesday night. Aminu recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 16 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks. It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in Group B. Gigantes de Carolina (13-4) is placed first. Aminu has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 16.3ppg, 11.3rpg and 1.3apg.

Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, currently in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin in a victory against the closely-ranked EnBW Ludwigsburg (23-11) 89-84 in the German BBL in Friday night’s game. Lammers recorded only 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in 12 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. ALBA Berlin (27-6) is placed first in the BBL. It was his team’s 11th consecutive victory in a row. This year Lammers averages 6.9ppg, 4.3rpg and 1.1bpg in 21 games.

Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Puerto Rico) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Grises (6-10) crushing them 107-72 in the Puerto Rican BSN last Wednesday. Georges-Hunt recorded 18 points. Mets de Guaynabo (8-10) is placed fourth in Group B. This season Georges-Hunt has very high stats. He averages 19.3ppg, 4.3rpg and 1.5apg. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander. .

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
  • 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
  • Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
  • 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
  • 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 the Power in the Big3 League
  • Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) plays for Decin in Czech Republic NBL
  • 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
  • Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983) plays for Bivouac in the Big3 League
  • Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
  • 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
  • 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.

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