THE FLATS – Josh Okogie could be primed for breakout season in Phoenix … Marcus Georges-Hunt signs with team in Kuwait following G League season … Could Derrick Favors be fighting for a roster spot in OKC? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE FEATURED AMONG 2022-23 BREAKOUT HOPEFULS
The Phoenix Suns core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton is back for yet another season even though there was some skepticism surrounding the futures of Bridges, Crowder and Ayton in trade talks for Kevin Durant. Nonetheless, this team is almost exactly the same and will once again be a title contender in the Western Conference.
The changes Phoenix made though were to their bench, as the team added Damion Lee, Jock Landale and former first-round pick Josh Okogie. While he may not necessarily have a breakout, career-year like others featured on this list, Okogie will be utilized by the Suns as a strong wing defender.
Possessing a 7-foot wingspan as a 6-4 wing, Josh Okogie is the perfect type of player for the Suns to utilize in their second-unit for defensive purposes. Monty Williams is a smart, defensive-minded coach, Mikal Bridges is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and there are plenty of other smart, veteran defenders on this roster, which is why Okgoie will be able to settle in early on and learn more about how to be a high-impact defensive player over the course of the year. Getting offensive production from him, specifically from the three-point line, would be an added bonus for Phoenix.
Josh Okogie could see a nice year in Phoenix 💪https://t.co/6Hfvmzg69v
— InsideTheSuns.com (@InsideTheSunsSI) August 1, 2022
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GEORGES-HUNT SIGNS WITH TEAM IN KUWAIT
HoopsHype.com reports that Marcus Georges-Hunt, who played last season with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League, has signed to play with Kuwait SC for the 2022-23 season.
Check out the best of Marcus Georges-Hunt 🦍
– – – – –#TrueToTheSouthside pic.twitter.com/su7p2JT5nj— College Park Skyhawks (@CPSkyhawks) May 11, 2022
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COULD FAVORS BE FIGHTING FOR A ROSTER SPOT?
At 31 years old, Derrick Favors is unlike the other current Thunder players that could be elsewhere next season. He’s a key veteran in the locker room and one of only two players over the age of 30.
Alongside rookie Chet Holmgren, Favors could actually be impactful next season in a mentorship role and also as a frontcourt partner on the floor. The veteran big didn’t play a ton last season, but was extremely efficient when he was on the court. He produced 11.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes during the 2021-22 campaign.
While he was a solid contributor on the court in limited action, he’s not a player many teams will be willing to give up an asset for. However, he’s on a roughly $10.2 million expiring contract that could be useful for Oklahoma City.
Favors flurry 🪣🪣@dfavors14 | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/wqVnHN31uC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 11, 2021
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Great time at Lindsay Day today. Thanks to @Slick_Nick126 and @AlvaradoJose15 for hosting a great event and giving back to the community! A lot of current and former Royals enjoying the day!#OnceARoyalAlwaysARoyal #CKFamily pic.twitter.com/wBZ1LdoZTQ
— James Horan (@CoachJHoran) August 6, 2022
🔥 @Callmeush #PotanınKartalları 🦅 pic.twitter.com/CoA68j3PNN
— Beşiktaş Basketbol (@BJK_Basketbol) July 28, 2022
Familiar face on campus 🐝🐝 @Callmeush pic.twitter.com/cSC5QMnOLf
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) July 21, 2022
Just have fun my son! Keep crafting young king! 🤝🏾💪🏾💯🏀 https://t.co/57AabrW70Q
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) July 31, 2022
Happy to be apart of the @MoveInsoles family! 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/UGf6TSmJnf
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) July 29, 2022
Kenny Anderson @chibbs_1
was All City 1st team in New York H.S. Basketball as a freshmen.Late Coach Jack Curran did not let him play in the first quarter “beings he was a freshmen” #PointGod pic.twitter.com/ccWjcNoLxk
— Sean Sterkel (@CoachSterkel) August 8, 2022
Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC | July 28, 2022
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Yellow Jackets alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays pro in the NBA) could not help the Dallas Mavericks (52-30) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Dallas Mavericks (#4) lost 84-95 on the road to the Los Angeles Lakers. Wright was the second best scorer with 17 points. He also added 6 rebounds in 22 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Wright’s first season in pro basketball. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA Summer League. Wright has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 15.5ppg, 6.8rpg and 1.5apg in four games he played so far.
Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, graduated ‘2022, plays in the NBA) was not able to help the Los Angeles Clippers in their game against the Miami Heat (2-3) in the NBA Summer League. Devoe did not impress in that game on Saturday. He recorded only 3 points. The Los Angeles Clippers (#8) were edged86-83 in Miami by the Heat. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA Summer League. This season Devoe averages 3.3ppg.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, currently in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Atlanta Hawks (43-39) in their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) in the NBA Summer League. It was not his best game last Saturday. Georges-Hunt recorded only one point in 17 minutes. The Atlanta Hawks (#9) lost 90-94 in Cleveland to the Cavaliers. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA Summer League. This year Georges-Hunt averages 3.3ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.5spg in four games. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995) played for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992) played for Hapoel UNET Holon in Israeli Winner League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993) played for Regatas in Argentinian La Liga
- Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994) played for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988) signed for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) played for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998) signed for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) plays for Trotamundos in Venezuelan SPB
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991) played for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998) played for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987) plays for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) played for Decin in Czech Republic NBL
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-1990) played for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998) played for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987) played for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991) played for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for Power in the Big3
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Summer League
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983) plays for Bivouac in the Big3
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-G/F-1999) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) played for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-1994) played for I.Ramat Gan in Israeli National League
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997) played for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) played for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
#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 |
