THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado not just a cult hero in New Orleans, he’s now essential … Thaddeus Young steps up in Toronto in absence of Siakam … Derrick Favors staying ready for another spot on an NBA team … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO NOT JUST CULT HERO, HE’S ESSENTIAL
He specializes in getting under the skin of his opponents – just ask Houston’s Kevin Porter Jr. His patented “Grand Theft Alvarado” sneak attack has forced some guards to react as if they’re seeing ghosts when they try to get the ball across halfcourt against him.
His energy and defensive tenacity change the game every time he steps on the floor for the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s part of the reason he instantly turned into one of the fanbase’s most beloved players after coming into the league as an undrafted free agent last year. He’s an embodiment of the role player many coaches dream of having: someone who uses his attitude and desire to overcome the physical limitations that prevent most his size from reaching the highest level.
Alvarado has certainly embraced the love he’s received in the Crescent City and the raucous “Jose!” chants that have become a constant at home games in the Smoothie King Center.
But he has much bigger plans for his career.
Jonas 🤝 Jose pic.twitter.com/8bzoVX2XE4
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 17, 2022
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YOUNG STEPS UP IN SIAKAM ABSENCE FOR RAPTORS
The way the Toronto Raptors used Thad Young early in the season was nothing short of baffling. The grizzled veteran decided to return to Canada on a multi-year contract, but Nick Nurse stuck him at the end of the bench before injuries had to force his hand.
Young may not have the scoring punch that he did in his younger days, but Toronto was doing themselves a disservice by letting him waste away on the bench. Bringing him back into the lineup by making him the starting center with MVP candidate Pascal Siakam out has reinvigorated him.
Young has averaged 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game over the last three games, two of which were Raptors wins. With just under four offensive rebounds per contest and two games with a plus-minus greater than +20 in the last five games, Thad has been on fire.
Young’s play has been so impressive that there is no way that the Raptors can sit him back down when the big names come back. This bench needed someone with this level of veteran moxie and playmaking, and Young has shown that he can fill that role while playing a center spot that very few coaches would even think about using him in.
Thad Young has been the consummate professional through 17 games of the Raptors season. He’s accepted an odd and sometimes frustrating role.
One NBA executive suggested it was a gamble to re-sign him as he’d not be happy as a part-time player. https://t.co/OmnAqmCHeB
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) November 18, 2022
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CASE FOR FAVORS TO RE-JOIN NETS
The Brooklyn Nets (8-9) have had a very volatile start to the season, but they are in the middle of a two-game winning streak and have gone 7-4 over their last 11 games.
One of their biggest struggles has been rebounding.
The Nets rank 28th in the NBA in total rebounds per game (48.5 RPG).
Right now, there are still plenty of free agents on the market that could help the Nets in that category.
Derrick Favors, who was the third overall pick by the New Jersey Nets (before they moved to Brooklyn), could be a good option for them to look at.
The former Georgia Tech star is only 31 years old and is a solid rebounder.
Last season, he played in 39 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and in 16.7 minutes per game, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Stay ready!!! 🙏🏾😤 https://t.co/S2wogFHGHd
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) November 18, 2022
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JAMES BANKS PLACED ON INJURED LIST
Per CBSSports.com: James Banks was placed on the G League’s injured list for an undisclosed reason Sunday. Banks started Friday’s loss to Birmingham and tallied six points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, five blocks and three steals in 29 minutes. It’s unclear when he’ll be able to return to action.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Episode 5 of the #MarkPriceFor3 Podcast is now available. The famous @Mark25Price Pick and Roll Episode.
Great stuff and stories from Mark on one of his most popular moves.https://t.co/HhWvZ1MFeB
— Aaron Conrad (@AaronConrad) November 15, 2022
😍😍😍 They officially confirmed I’m the cool old guy! 😂 😂😂 Love y’all !!! https://t.co/bEOQlzegDs
— THAD YOUNG (@yungsmoove21) November 23, 2022
Athlete, investor, philanthropist. @yungsmoove21 is a man of many talents, and now he’s bringing his talents to Front Office. Join Thad as he decides which company to invest in — Housestay or Cubo? @ThePlayersTV #shareUBS pic.twitter.com/MCPvBlrckY
— UBS (@UBS) November 22, 2022
Bruh…player from Ghana just pulled a Jose Alvarado in the World Cup! @WorldWideWob pic.twitter.com/EDf8Tovtw3
— Bryan Kennedy (@BKennedyTV) November 24, 2022
.@1jamesbanks got us cryin’ in the aisles of @KrogerDFW 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/EBnLk0aWIi
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) November 15, 2022
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#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) was the major contributor in Bilbao’s victory against the 13th-ranked Fuenlabrada (3-5) crushing them 109-82 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night’s game. He scored 22 points, made 4 passes and 3 steals in 26 minutes. Surne Bilbao Basket (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It’s Smith’s first year with the team. Smith has relatively good stats this season 11.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.6apg and 1.4spg in eight games he played so far.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays in the NBA) could not help the Toronto Raptors (9-8) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Young’s very good performance the Toronto Raptors (9-8) were edged124-122 on the road by the Atlanta Hawks. He scored 18 points, had 9 boards, passed 4 assists and added 4 steals. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Young averages 5.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.6apg and 1.1spg.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, currently in the NBA) led New Orleans Pelicans to a victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (10-7) 113-102 in the NBA on Tuesday night. He scored 12 points and added 6 assists in 22 minutes. The New Orleans Pelicans have 9-7 record this season. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Alvarado has relatively good stats this year 8.4ppg, 2.4rpg and 2.9apg in 16 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the New York Knicks (8-9) crushing them 116-95 in the NBA in Sunday night’s game. He recorded 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns have a solid 10-6 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Okogie’s first year with the team. This season Okogie averages 1.3ppg and 1.5rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, graduated ‘2017, plays in Belgium) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Liege Basket (1-5) 92-76 in the BNXT League last Saturday. He recorded 8 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists in 27 minutes. It was his first game for Stella Artois Leuven Bears this season. His team is placed seventh in the BNXT League. It’s Heath’s fourth year with the team.
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, graduated ‘2020, currently in the NBA G League) contributed to a Texas Legends’ surprising victory against the Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico 127-114 in the NBA G League on Wednesday night. He scored 10 points, had 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks. This season Banks III averages 9.3ppg, 7.8rpg and 3.0bpg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, graduated ‘2005, plays pro in Japan) was not able to help Shinshu BW (5-6) in their last game. Despite his good performance the fourth-placed Shinshu BW was badly defeated78-60 in Nagoya by the lower-ranked (#5) FE Nagoya in the Central group. McHenry was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 9 rebounds, passed 4 assists and added 3 blocks in 34 minutes. This year McHenry averages 7.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg in 11 games.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, graduated ‘2016, plays in Argentina) helped Obera win their game against the 12th-ranked Boca 76-68 in the Argentinian La Liga last Sunday. Mitchell recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks. Mitchell has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 16.1ppg and 9.9rpg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, currently in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Tochigi Brex in the Japanese B1 League. He cannot count Saturday’s game as one of the best ones. Schafer recorded only 2 points and added 3 passes in 18 minutes. His team lost 69-81. This year he averages 6.0ppg and 3.9rpg in 11 games. Schafer is a naturalized Japanese.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, graduated ‘2015, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help Tokyo HT in their game against Saitama in the Japanese B3 League. Despite his very good performance in Friday night’s game He was the second best scorer with 29 points. Sampson also added 5 boards, handed out 4 passes and blocked 2 shots. This season he has very high stats. Sampson averages 16.5ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.0apg and 1.2spg. Worth to mention Sampson played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999) signed for Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul in Turkish BSL
- 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
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991) signed for Beijing Royal Fighters in Chinese CBA
- 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
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) signed for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- 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
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
