THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado is a one-of-a-kind menace … Thaddeus Young remains engaged despite lack of playing time … Josh Okogie and Suns’ off-season additions grade out well … Chris Bosh rolls off the Heat payroll … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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JOSE ALVARADO – ONE OF A KIND MENACE
The New Orleans Pelicans have started the 2022-23 season extremely well. While they were an offseason pick to surprise the established order by some, they have already won over some of the more casual fans with their star power, depth and the perception that they look like they are having fun out on the court.
They may have lost Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, but at this point, you can now make a strong argument in the Pelicans’ favor. Would you rather have the bubble championship that the Lakers do or the avalanche of young talent and exciting prospects that the Pelicans boast? Only one of these options is set up for the next five years.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado will get his dues before long.
This writer is here to establish his spot on the Jose Alvarado bandwagon nice and early. If you’ve watched him play this season, you will know exactly what we’re talking about. Alvarado is a blur of speed, steals, solid defensive decision-making (despite usually giving up size) and severely underrated drives to the rim.
He’s been so good that the Pelicans have kept it rolling, despite missing the wrecking ball Williamson and Ingram for some of their wins so far. This isn’t all down Alvarado of course. General Manager David Griffin has done an exceptional job of turning a franchise that was viewed as a laughing stock at drafting players, into one that suddenly sees it as a strength.
Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and this year’s lottery pick, Dyson Daniels are all steady contributors and provide real depth in New Orleans. Back to Jose Alvarado though, and he’s looking more and more like a real one-of-one player in the league. Just listen to this from teammate Murphy III;
JOSE ALVARADO PICKED LEBRON’S POCKET 🍪 pic.twitter.com/6m7tFp9N4x
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 3, 2022
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ALVARADO READY TO TAKE THINGS UP ANOTHER LEVEL
Not too long before New Orleans Pelicans fans started calling him “Grand Theft Alvarado,” Jose Alvarado found himself up against some immeasurable odds. The Brooklyn native was on a two-way deal with the New Orleans Pelicans and wasn’t seeing much action on the floor.
After going undrafted in 2021, the 6-0 guard out of Georgia Tech, who was splitting time between the Pels and their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, kept telling himself that if he wasn’t going to play, just make sure that it felt like he was out there playing.
Do something that makes you impact the day, he’d say. Not just the game but the day.
That meant learning how to be impactful in other ways, even if he wasn’t on the court. Not only would he watch the game, but he’d study it, thinking critically about ways he would attack the defense if he was out there. Teammates like Brandon Ingram took notice and would ask him for his perspective.
lol Jose Alvarado. pic.twitter.com/BFkvsWM1X9
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) October 21, 2022
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RAPTORS’ YOUNG STAYING PROFESSIONAL DESPITE LACK OF PLAYING TIME
Like the rest of us, Thaddeus Young is a bit confused by his sporadic early-season usage.
After being acquired from San Antonio at last February’s trade deadline, the veteran forward was excited about what he could bring to the Raptors in his first full season with the club, and so was the team. In training camp, just a few weeks ago, the sense was that he would play a key role coming off the bench. That was his expectation when he re-signed with Toronto as an unrestricted free agent over the summer.
However, 10 days into the new campaign, that hasn’t been the case. Through the team’s first six games, Young has totalled 32 minutes. He’s yet to log more than 11 minutes in any contest and has played just five minutes over the last three games – a stretch that included two DNP-CDs (did not play – coach’s decision).
Young averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes over 26 games with the Raptors last season. His addition, along with the second-half emergence of Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher, helped stabilize Toronto’s bench, which had struggled early in the year. The plan was for Young to reprise the role he played late last season and into the playoffs, with him, Achiuwa, Boucher and off-season signee Otto Porter Jr. – who has been out with a hamstring strain and is yet to make his debut – forming the nucleus of the second unit.
Young pre-game interview before Raptors-Spurs 0n Wednesday
After signing a 2-year/ $16.3 million contract in the off-season, Thaddeus Young is averaging only 8 mins of play time this season
Young averaged 18.3 mins with 6.3 pts, 4.4 rebs, and 1.7 assts in 26 games with the Raptors last season
How do we feel about this Raps Nation? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/LsP2FuoZK2
— Toronto Raptors Reviewer Jake (@RaptorsComment) November 3, 2022
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SUNS OFF-SEASON PICKUPS GRADING OUT WELL
The Suns made a handful of low-key moves that have quietly paid off through their 5-1 start.
Phoenix picked up Josh Okogie and Damion Lee via free agency while also adding Jock Landale via trade.
None of those guys exactly grabbed headlines upon arrival, but Bleacher Report says they’ve done their job well through the early stages of the season, giving the Suns a B- for how their new additions have played thus far.
From Bleacher Report: Okogie has appeared in every game thus far but played more than four minutes just once. He’s an insurance option who will be called upon in defensive situations or if there’s an injury ahead of him on the depth chart.
Bismack Biyombo and Josh Okogie still getting work in over an hour after practice has ended pic.twitter.com/9VrY7MGtDV
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) October 29, 2022
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BOSH RECEIVES FINAL PAYMENT FROM HEAT
Former Miami Heat All-Star Chris Bosh received the last of his salary payments Tuesday.
Bosh had been receiving payments of $434,393 twice-monthly since Nov. 15, 2017.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported this information, comparing it to the New York Mets paying Bobby Bonilla after his retirement.
A Bobby Bonilla-type deal ends: Former Miami Heat standout Chris Bosh will be paid the last of his 120, twice-monthly, $434,393 installments that started being paid to him Nov. 15, 2017 and are scheduled to end today, Nov. 1, 2022. Bosh last played in the ‘15-‘16 season. pic.twitter.com/S26vgqn6T0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Chris Finch echoes what so many in Minnesota felt about Josh Okogie pic.twitter.com/8wu2LHjRnI
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) November 2, 2022
Chris Finch echoes what so many in Minnesota felt about Josh Okogie pic.twitter.com/8wu2LHjRnI
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) November 2, 2022
Derrick Favors anyone?
Or promote Kabengele. Need another big man, like yesterday. pic.twitter.com/shXBM8K6kL
— CelticsLife.com (@celticslife) November 3, 2022
川崎戦2連勝！✌️
チームとしてなかなかまとまらずファンの皆さんにも申し訳ない試合ばかりしていたので、本当に嬉しかったです。
シーズンここからだと思って頑張りましょう！🌊🐴 pic.twitter.com/5F86R1XIiX— シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer (@avi_schafer) October 23, 2022
“This how we’ve done it since we’ve been playing together. We find that balance… For Klay, it’s big picture mode.”@Dennis3DScott discusses the unselfishness between Klay and Steph ✊#CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/17O8NA3yef
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 28, 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) contributed to Bilbao’s victory against the closely-ranked Igokea (1-2) 85-80 in the Basketball Champions League in Wednesday night’s game. He scored 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 24 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Surne Bilbao Basket (3-0) is placed first in the Basketball Champions League. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. There are only three 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 12.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.7apg in three games he played so far.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) could not help the New Orleans Pelicans (5-3) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Alvarado’s very good performance the New Orleans Pelicans (5-3) were edged120-117 on the road by the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 15 points and added 4 assists. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Alvarado has relatively good stats this year 9.0ppg, 1.9rpg and 2.6apg.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, graduated ‘2014, currently in China), who plays in the Chinese CBA was not able to help Beijing Royal Fighters (5-4) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Beijing Royal Fighters lost 98-105 in Shanghai to the much lower-ranked (#17) Sharks. Golden was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 8 assists in 36 minutes. The Regular Season already ended. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 21.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.9apg and 1.3spg in eight games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays pro in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin to win against the closely-ranked Seawolves (1-2) crushing them 104-70 in the German BBL in Sunday night’s game. He scored 5 points. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. ALBA Berlinis placed first in the BBL. This season Lammers averages 6.7ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.3bpg.
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, graduated ‘2020, plays in the NBA G League) led Texas Legends to a victory against the Austin Spurs (0-1) 120-113 in the NBA G League last Friday. Banks III recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and made 4 blocks in 30 minutes. It was his first game for Texas Legends this season. His team have 1-0 record this season. But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, currently in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the San Antonio Spurs crushing them 143-100 in the NBA on Wednesday night. Young scored 5 points. This season Young averages 2.3ppg and 1.2rpg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Argentina) led Obera to a victory over the 16th-ranked Regatas 93-89 in the Argentinian La Liga in Monday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Mitchell had a double-double by scoring 24 points and getting 15 rebounds in 35 minutes. Mitchell has relatively good stats this year 13.0ppg and 9.4rpg in five games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul in their game against Tofas in the Turkish BSL. Usher scored 9 points. His team was defeated 80-72. Usher has relatively good stats this season 11.8ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.4apg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, currently in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Houston Rockets 124-109 in the NBA on Sunday night. Okogie scored only 2 points in 2 minutes on the court. This year Okogie averages 1.1ppg and 1.3rpg in seven games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, graduated ‘2010, plays pro in Russia) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Dinamo Vladivostok crushing them 91-63 in the Russian Superleague 1 (second division) in Sunday night’s game. He scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Lawal has relatively good stats this season 10.6ppg and 8.4rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998) signed for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
- 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
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994) signed for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994) signed for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) signed for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994) signed for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for Power in the Big3
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999) signed for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) signed for Tokyo HT 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.
