THE FLATS – Josh Okogie shines for Nigeria in FIBA African qualifier … OKC decision to keep Derrick Favors may favor the Thunder … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE SHINES IN FIBA AFRICAN QUALIFIER
The Phoenix Suns had players playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers over the weekend with Nigeria’s Josh Okogie and Uganda’s Ish Wainright both producing in all their respective games.
Okogie played in three contests over the weekend, losing to Ivory Coast 78-66, defeating Guinea and former ASU guard Shannon Evans 89-70 and falling to Angola 70-67.
He had 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, five steals and a block in the loss to Ivory Coast.
The guard also added 10 points, six assists, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the win over Guinea. He stars for Nigeria with former USC Trojan and current Sacramento Kings center Chimezie Metu.
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) August 27, 2022
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HOLMGREN INJURY CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR FAVORS
Derrick Favors is getting a better chance in Oklahoma City after the injury to Chet Holmgren.
Favors has evaded getting dealt in a trade or waived during the Thunder’s rampant roster revamp this off-season.
OKC kept Favors as a depth piece who more than likely wouldn’t see a lot of minutes due to the stack up in front of him of younger players.
However, now the shining light is apparent of why he was kept stockpiled in the roster. With Holmgren out, OKC needs bodies at the five.
Favors is tied with fellow center Mike Muscala as the oldest players in OKC both at 31-years-old. Both provide veteran leadership to the team and their position. Favors is more of a true center for NBA standards. His frame and height will put him back in contention to fill the void left by Holmgren.
The pro to why they kept him around during the off-season which saw the Thunder focus on paint depth.
Past 3 years been a great learning experience!! Super motivated
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) August 29, 2022
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ONE VOTE FOR ALVARADO TO START IN NEW ORLEANS
Jose Alvarado has shown that he is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the NBA, but he is also a very good playmaker, which is an underrated part of his game.
His shooting is improving and he looked comfortable knocking them down from behind the arc playing for Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Alvarado is locked into a very team-friendly contract, the type the Pelicans will need next season when Zion’s contract extension kicks in and their roster gets expensive at the top.
Alvarado was the heart and soul of the Pels’ bench last season and figures to have a big role in this one, though it is doubtful that he actually cracks the starting lineup.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado says he won’t play for Puerto Rico in the upcoming AmeriCup, instead choosing to get to work with the Pels.
Says he’s committed to playing in next summer’s World Cup: “I know we are going to qualify!!” pic.twitter.com/oTe4xMgnHl
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) August 23, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
On Kobe Bryant Day, we look back on @chrisbosh‘s speech about the Mamba’s incredible dedication to his craft 🐍💛
#MambaForever pic.twitter.com/N2v0j1htAq— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 24, 2022
Legends aren’t defined by their successes. They’re defined by how they bounce back from their failures.
Something I learned from Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/ylmln9GATA
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 24, 2022
My guy Mark Wahlberg a good guy! pic.twitter.com/l44xqWu9eU
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) August 29, 2022
I can’t golf yet but I will get better!! pic.twitter.com/po57Wb71a1
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) August 29, 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 |
