THE FLATS – Josh Okogie lifting up the Suns with his strong play … Thaddeus Young addresses Raptors’ early-season struggles … Jose Alvarado tangles with CP3 again … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE’S RECENT PLAY BRIGHT SPOT FOR SUNS
The losing streak is staunchly not over, but I have found someone whose praises I’d like to sing, and that’s one of the newer Phoenix Suns, wing Josh Okogie.
After averaging just 6.2 minutes per game over his first 18 games as a Sun, Okogie has played 20+ minutes in four of his last six without registering a net negative in the plus/minus column over that six-game stretch (+55 combined). The Suns, however, are 1-5 over the stretch.
And really quickly before I get into what’s made his play stand out so much, I’d first like to pose a question to head coach Monty Williams. Okogie averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 25.7 minutes over the first three games of this recent stretch (including +13 in the 27-point loss to Boston).
Why, then, should his minutes be chopped immediately after during the two-game series in New Orleans, where he played just 18.5 minutes combined?
The point I was pondering deeply, even ahead of this story, is that Okogie is the perfect type of player to rise up to meet the challenge of a team like New Orleans. He’s someone ready to meet the level of physicality and not back down.
So where were Okogie’s minutes? He’s absolutely earned them.
More from Bright Side of the Sun
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YOUNG ADDRESSES RAPTORS EARLY SEASON STRUGGLES
As the longest tenured NBA pro on the team, Thad Young has been in this position before, and the 34-year-old’s presence is a steadying one.
On Wednesday, Young discussed the team’s recent struggles and how they intend to course correct in an interview on The Raptors Show with Will Lou.
“One of the biggest things is that we always have to approach every game with a sense of urgency,” said Young. “When we don’t … and try to kind of cruise into it, games like the Magic happen.
“At any point in the season, you’re going to have to fight through some adversity … we just have to get back to being the resilient team that we were last year.”
After a loss against the Brooklyn Nets in early December, the Raptors held a players-only meeting, but Young suggests it’s no reason to sound any alarms.
“We’re always talking about how we can approach games and how we can do things better as a team, what we need to give to the team individually,” said Young. “That’s every single day.”
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NEW ANGLE ON PAUL ELBOW TO ALVARADO GOES VIRAL
Tempers flared once again in their Friday matchup as Zion Williamson threw down a dunk contest-worthy 360 windmill just as the clock was expiring. That ignited a fracas with CP3 and Jose Alvarado right at the center of it all.
What’s gone viral after the contest is Chris Paul’s attempted elbow at Alvarado, which was clearly in frustration after Zion’s dunk and with malice to hurt Alvarado.
Alvarado was a fitting adversary during their 1-8 matchup in the playoffs last season, with the Pelicans the clear underdogs against the top-seeded Suns. But so far this season, the Pels have been on par with their former tormentors and have since surpassed them after going 2-0 in their quick 2-game series.
This unseen angle from Chris Paul and Jose Alvarado on Friday 👀
(h/t: @WorldWideWob) pic.twitter.com/bkIlMcWldV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 11, 2022
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— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) December 13, 2022
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— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) December 14, 2022
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— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) December 13, 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) could not help Bilbao (2-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Bilbao was edged80-77 at home by the much lower-ranked (#12) Obradoiro. Smith was the top scorer with 22 points in 32 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Smith has relatively good stats this year 12.6ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.6apg and 1.3spg in 11 games he played so far.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, plays in the NBA) was not able to help the Phoenix Suns (16-12) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Okogie’s very good performance the Phoenix Suns (16-12) were crushed125-98 on the road by the Boston Celtics. He was the top scorer with 28 points. Okogie also added 7 rebounds. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It’s Okogie’s first year with the team. This season he averages 3.8ppg and 2.4rpg. Okogie is a naturalized Nigerian.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, currently in Germany), who plays in Germany was not able to secure a victory for ALBA Berlin (3-10) in their last game. Despite Lammers’ good performance the bottom-ranked ALBA Berlin was crushed104-75 in Istanbul by the much higher-ranked (#4) Fenerbahce. He scored 12 points and blocked 2 shots in 22 minutes. It was ALBA Berlin’s tenth consecutive loss in a row. This year Lammers averages 5.6ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.2spg in 11 games.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays pro in the NBA) was the major contributor in a New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the Phoenix Suns (16-12) 128-117 in the NBA last Friday. Alvarado recorded 20 points and had 3 steals; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. The New Orleans Pelicans have a solid 18-9 record this season. It was his team’s seventh consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Alvarado’s first year with the team. Alvarado has relatively good stats this season 9.5ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.2apg and 1.3spg.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, graduated ‘2014, plays in China) led Beijing Royal Fighters to a victory over the closely-ranked Eagles (6-7) 101-97 in the Chinese CBA on Friday night. He was MVP of the game. Golden had a double-double by scoring 29 points and making 14 passes. He also added 9 rebounds in 40 minutes. Beijing Royal Fighters (6-6) are placed 12th in the CBA. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 20.9ppg, 4.8rpg and 5.8apg in 12 games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, currently in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish BSL couldn’t help Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul (4-5) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul was defeated 99-86 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Efes (#3). Usher recorded 12 points. Usher has relatively good stats this season 13.9ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.2apg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays pro in China) contributed to a Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ victory against the 18th-ranked Blue Whales 83-79 in the Chinese CBA last Monday. Wright scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in just a mere 13 minutes. Wright has relatively good stats this year 12.5ppg, 5.6rpg and 1.5spg in eight games.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the Toronto Raptors in their game against the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Young scored 6 points. His team were edged 124-123 in the NBA. This season Young averages 5.1ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.9apg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, currently in Japan) helped SeaHorses Mikawa win their game against the eighth-ranked Shiga L-Stars crushing them 87-48 in the Japanese B1 League in Sunday night’s game. He scored 7 points, had 5 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 19 minutes. This year Schafer averages 5.1ppg and 3.9rpg in 19 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, graduated ‘2005, plays pro in Japan) helped Shinshu BW win their game against the seventh-ranked Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo 69-55 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday. He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. McHenry also added 4 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. This season McHenry averages 9.6ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.3apg and 1.3spg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) is a free agent in the NBA
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987) plays for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) plays for Korihait in Finnish Korisliiga
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994) plays for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) plays for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for Power in the Big3
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
