THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Josh Okogie (Suns) and Thaddeus Young (Raptors) open the 2022-23 season NBA rosters … Derrick Favors opens 2022-23 season as a free agent after being released by the Rockets … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO CHANNELS TONY PARKER
Jose Alvarado topped 20 points just once in 54 games during his NBA rookie season, dropping a career-high 23 against the San Antonio Spurs last March.
In his four years at Georgia Tech, Alvarado amassed 29 points on three separate occasions, once as a sophomore and twice as a senior.
In the Pelicans second pre-season win, Alvarado came within a bucket of breaking into the 30-point plateau, finishing with 28 points on a stellar 12 for 18 shooting performance from the field.
The New Orleans Pelicans hung on to beat a Detroit Pistons team determined to eke out a victory by a final score of 107-101, but it was Alvarado’s play that had his coaches and teammates buzzing in postgame.
“Jose is hard to describe, but you just know he’s going to bring that passion and energy to the game that you would want to see from anybody,” Zion Williamson said. “He knows how to make himself a threat. Don’t let him fool y’all, he just had 28 (points) and how many rebounds? Five? He’s doing this off the bench. We have a special group.”
Alvarado’s incredible shotmaking from among the trees clearly stood out in New Orleans second preseason win. The 6’0 point guard connected on nine of 12 shots inside the lane, beating Piston defenders with a dizzying array of spins, floaters and just some good old-school savviness.
Knowledgable fans might say that this type of display is reminiscent of Tony Parker. Well, that’s precisely who played at least some part in making Friday night a reality.
Jose Alvarado was getting to the cup in the @PelicansNBA #NBAPreseason win!@AlvaradoJose15: 28 PTS, 5 REB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ddWkMImkt
— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2022
Jose said he DM’d @TonyParker during the summer to ask about working out with him. Parker responded right away, and they met up in San Antonio.
“If the year keeps going like this, I will definitely be hitting his phone next year.” pic.twitter.com/GvoykxESTf
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 8, 2022
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ALVARADO ON STARTING THE SEASON IN NEW YORK
Jose Alvarado begins his second season with the New Orleans Pelicans in New York. He talks about it following practice Tuesday.
Alvarado October 18 media availability
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FAVORS WAIVED BY HOUSTON ROCKETS
Former Oklahoma City Thunder center Derrick Favors will seek a new home to continue his career after he was waived by the Houston Rockets, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Favors was sent to the Rockets in the massive eight-player trade in late September. The 31-year-old was owed $10.2 million this season after picking up his player option during the offseason.
The move comes hours after former Thunder guard Theo Maledon, who was also part of the eight-player trade, signed a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
Favors is entering his 13th season in the league and spent last season with the Thunder, where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 39 games.
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YOUNG FINISHES PRE-SEASON STRONG
Thaddeus Young had four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes during Friday’s 137-134 victory over Boston.
Young signed a two-year contract with the Raptors during the offseason, a strange move in the eyes of many. The team certainly has a plethora of options in the frontcourt, meaning Young is unlikely to play more than about 18 minutes per night. While he has very little chance of putting up fantasy-relevant numbers, he is a name to tuck away should a larger role open up at some point.
Young October 18 media availability
2022-23 RAPTORS
THADDEUS YOUNG@yungsmoove21
“THA-GIC JOHNSON” pic.twitter.com/X3v2gZ5HUt— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 16, 2022
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OKOGIE SUITS UP IN PRE-SEASON FINALE AFTER INJURY
Monday night’s clash against the Denver Nuggets saw Josh Okogie in a Phoenix Suns jersey for the first time. The defensive-minded wing was signed to a minimum deal in free agency, before battling a slight hamstring issue early in training camp.
Okogie joins the Suns having had a strange opening four years in Minnesota, with his production levels decreasing almost season on season. Clearly Phoenix believe they can provide a tweak to his horrific three-point shooting, while utilizing the defensive attributes that have kept him in the league.
Devin Booker and Josh Okogie working out of the post. #Suns pic.twitter.com/gE0ecLq4OK
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 15, 2022
Devin Booker, Josh Okogie and Cameron Payne working.
Remember, Payne is a lefty with the right finger sprain. #Suns pic.twitter.com/jQ7wviABA0
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 15, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Really my twin 🤞🏼 https://t.co/R9HZSIIqOQ
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) October 18, 2022
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Your Favorite Segment! “ShootersParadise”
We Back! SideLineShorty 🔥
Season76 #LeaveIt pic.twitter.com/Pw4CxvFZIn— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) October 19, 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 |
Yellow Jackets in Professional Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Spain) led his Spanish team Bilbao to a victory over the closely-ranked Acibadem (1-1) 80-66 in the Basketball Champions League in Tuesday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 17 points in 28 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Surne Bilbao Basket (2-0) is placed first in the Basketball Champions League. There are only four games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Smith has relatively good stats this year 14.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.5apg in two games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) contributed to an easy victory against the 14th-ranked Panathinaikos (1-2) crushing them 94-65 in the Euroleague last Wednesday. Lammers scored 7 points. It was his first game for ALBA Berlin this season. His team is placed first in the Euroleague. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, currently in China) was the major contributor in a Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ victory against the 11th-ranked Pioneers (2-2) crushing them 105-83 in the Chinese CBA on Friday night. He scored 18 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 24 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Wright’s second season in pro basketball. Zhejiang Golden Bulls (5-0) are placed first in the CBA. So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season. It’s Wright’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season 15.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.5bpg and 2.0spg in four games.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, graduated ‘2014, plays pro in China) was the main contributor in a 3-point Beijing Royal Fighters’ victory against the closely-ranked Flying Tigers (3-2) 98-95 in the Chinese CBA in Saturday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Golden scored 25 points, had 5 rebounds and dished 7 assists. Beijing Royal Fighters (3-1) are placed fifth in the CBA. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 21.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 6.7apg and 1.7spg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, plays in Japan) could not help SeaHorses Mikawa (2-4) in their last game. Despite his good performance the fifth-placed SeaHorses Mikawa (2-4) lost 63-76 on the road to the lower-ranked (#6) Kyoto Hannaryz in the Central group. Schafer scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 23 minutes. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Schafer averages 5.8ppg and 4.2rpg in six games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, graduated ‘2015, currently in Japan) was not able to help Tokyo Z in their game against Nishinomiya Storks in the Japanese B2 League. Despite his very good performance last Monday Sampson was the top scorer with 24 points. He also added 4 rebounds. Sampson has relatively good stats this season 13.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3bpg and 2.2spg. Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, plays pro in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul in their game against Pinar Karsiyaka in the Turkish BSL, despite his good performance on Saturday night. Usher scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 28 minutes. But his team lost 81-92. Usher has relatively good stats this year 11.0ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.0apg in three games.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Brooklyn Nets crushing them 130-108 in the NBA last Wednesday. Alvarado scored 7 points. It was his first game for New Orleans Pelicans this season.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, currently in Kuwait) contributed to a 1-point Kuwait’s victory against the league leader Al Ahly 78-77 in the Arab Club Championships on Saturday night. Georges-Hunt was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 30 minutes. Georges-Hunt has relatively good stats this year 12.3ppg, 5.3rpg and 4.6apg in seven games. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Argentina) contributed to Obera’s victory against the 18th-ranked Independiente de Oliva 71-66 in the Argentinian La Liga in Wednesday night’s game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 13 rebounds. It was his first game for Obera this season.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- 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
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987) plays for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN
- 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
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994) signed for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) signed for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) played for Power in the Big3
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999) played for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Summer League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
