THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado working to improve in Pelicans summer league on heels of stint with Puerto Rico national team … Josh Okogie ready to contribute in multiple ways for Suns … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO’S PRESENCE FELT IN GYMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
A year ago at summer league, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was on a two-way contract and didn’t even start for the team in any of its five summer league games — playing the ninth-most minutes on the team.
Slowly but surely, however, Alvarado carved out his place on the NBA scene. He fought for minutes and took advantage of absences during the year to cement himself in the Pelicans’ rotation, and by the playoffs he was going toe to toe with one of the greatest point guards of all time in Chris Paul while earning himself a full NBA contract.
Alvarado carried that momentum into the offseason when he joined the Puerto Rican national team during the most recent FIBA qualifying round, which included an eight-point loss to the United States and a 10-point victory over Mexico. Alvarado was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer in both games.
The fan favorite said he found it jarring to be walking around with former NBA player and Puerto Rican native Carlos Arroyo or former NBA point guard Mike Bibby, and people would want to take pictures with just him.
There was a stretch in clutch where Jose was going shot for shot with CP3 pic.twitter.com/yI66L4dIlY
— James Smith Jr (@iamjamesnumber1) July 3, 2022
Un clásico del basket boricua.
Tiro de tres, todo el mundo gritando “yyyyyy” durante el trayecto de la bola y al final el climax con el “JUAAAAAAAAA” cuando entra.
El Clemente = la ⛪️ del 🏀🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/u7cSCd48Kz
— Rafa Aldamuy 🇵🇷 (@aldamuyfutbol) July 5, 2022
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JOSE ALVARADO WORKING TO IMPROVE SHOOTING
The Georgia Tech product was a 34.1 percent three-point shooter in college, but had his best NCAA season as a senior at 39.0 percent. As a Pelicans rookie, he finished at just 29.1 percent, though in typical Alvarado fashion, he drilled a few momentous treys in the Phoenix playoff series, going 6/16 overall. Entering his second NBA campaign, he wants to bump up his accuracy, particularly given where he fits within the team’s personnel.
“We’ve got big-time players,” Alvarado said. “Zion is going to be coming back, so I’m pretty sure (defenses are) not worried about me. I’m going to be open. I have to knock (shots) down.”
Alvarado already had the opportunity to play an expanded role with Puerto Rico’s national team in a pair of recent international games. Alvarado averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals, while draining six three-pointers.
Erin Summers goes 1-on-1 with Jose Alvarado in Pelicans Summer League
Courtside at @NBASummerLeague: @AlvaradoJose15
📸: @NBA | #SummerPelicans pic.twitter.com/iUH5A4POIe
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 8, 2022
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ALVARADO TO BE HELD OUT REMAINDER OF SUMMER LEAGUE
The New Orleans Pelicans will hold guards Jose Alvarado and Dyson Daniels out for the remainder of the NBA Summer League, according to Andrew Lopez.
#ProJackets on Social Media
Damion Lee and Josh Okogie were in here introducing themselves to a handful of folks and getting to know the facility. Naturally led to some casual shots getting up while chatting with assistant coach Jarrett Jack. pic.twitter.com/1W0mHRkXJq
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 5, 2022
New #Suns Josh Okogie signing autographs at #NBASummerLeague #NBA2K23SummerLeague pic.twitter.com/K4QbuG4KOV
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 10, 2022
NYC point Gods🔥🔥🔥 @chibbs_1 https://t.co/6bvYISg63d
— Mike Gkioulenoglou (@MikeGk78) July 13, 2022
Court work, now pool 🏊♀️ work! #GetBetter 👀 pic.twitter.com/R7zD6szNsT
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) July 13, 2022
I am NYC my people ! #pointguard pic.twitter.com/7Z85xQoNOg
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) July 12, 2022
Giving this one to my godson kelvyn!!,New Jersey Nets @BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/ld2BUijjZm
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) July 13, 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 |
