THE FLATS – Josh Okogie providing stellar minutes off the bench in Phoenix … Jose Alvarado seeks out Tony Parker in continued quest to improve as a point guard … Jordan Usher continues to excel in Turkey … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE PROVIDING STELLAR BENCH MINUTES FOR SUNS
Phoenix Suns fans are beginning to have something to smile about again after a disastrous five-game slide that saw the Suns lose the No. 1 seed in the West.
After trailing by as many as 24 points Saturday night Phoenix was resilient and was able to muscle out a 118-114 victory against their newest rival, the New Orleans Pelicans. There was a lot to be excited about from Booker’s 58-point night to Chris Paul shooting 5-7 from three.
Not to be lost is Josh Okogie, who finished with seven points all from the charity line and six rebounds to match, the last coming crucially in the final minutes of the game against Zion Williamson.
It capped off what was a very strong week from the Suns’ defensive anchor.
What a play from Josh Okogie!@CallMe_NonStop with the nonstop effort. pic.twitter.com/QAU0zXQXnz
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 14, 2022
“For me, I’m trying to win.”
Josh Okogie on his back-to-back offensive rebounds with #Suns up two in fourth quarter of comeback win over #Pelicans.
Fouled by Zion Williamson after 2nd one, Okogie hit two FTs to give Phoenix an 111-107 lead with 3:20 left in game. pic.twitter.com/FqQYvfOZh3
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 18, 2022
Josh Okogie is RELENTLESS. pic.twitter.com/D8SkkYgltf
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) December 16, 2022
A 360 layup under the basket?!
Josh Okogie continues to find ways to amaze us 🤩 pic.twitter.com/E74h6dN2Hm
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 20, 2022
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ALVARADO SEEKS OUT TONY PARKER TO BECOME BETTER POINT GUARD
There is little doubt that San Antonio Spurs great Tony Parker is the greatest point guard in franchise history.
He is also among the best at the position in NBA history and likely a first-ballot Basketball Hall of Famer.
And it comes as no surprise that Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado sought out Parker to help him become better at the position.
In an interview with The Athletic, Alvarado revealed he worked out with Parker this past summer to learn more about playing the point guard position as well as picking his brain at how to perfect the Spurs legend’s signature shot, the “teardrop.”
“He’s one of the best point guards we’ve seen. So, hearing him talk and knowing we view the game in very similar ways, it made me a lot more comfortable with who I am,” Alvarado said to The Athletic.
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ALVARADO TAKES US BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN IN BROOKLYN
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THADDEUS YOUNG REACHES 14,000 CAREER POINTS
An incredible achievement 👏
Congrats to our guy @yungsmoove21 for achieving 14,000 Career Points pic.twitter.com/EMYci89Uu1
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) December 24, 2022
Good baseline movement by Thaddeus Young to find the soft spot in the zone while Fred VanVleet’s drive draws all the defensive attention pic.twitter.com/TVxBMbhYm1
— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) December 20, 2022
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JORDAN USHER CONTINUES TO EXCEL IN TURKEY
🌟 MVP | Jordan Usher
💥 Dümene geçti, takımına galibiyeti getirdi.
▪️ 24 sayı
▪️ 5 asist
▪️ 3 ribaund
▪️ 8/13 saha içi isabeti
▪️ 4/7 üç sayı isabeti
▪️ 4/4 serbest atış isabet
▪️ 26 verimlilik puanı pic.twitter.com/JEDmeQYnwW— TrendBasket (@TrendBasket) December 24, 2022
Okben Ulubay & Jordan Usher ✌🏻#BeşiktaşEmlakjet 🦅
— Beşiktaş Basketbol (@BJK_Basketbol) December 24, 2022
🤩Okben Ulubay – Jordan Usher ikilisi günü çok yukarılardan açıyor!@BJK_Basketbol pic.twitter.com/mvFk10JXNB
— Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi (@basketsuperligi) December 24, 2022
🏀🦅 Jordan Usher 🔥 @Callmeush pic.twitter.com/SukOVdOWiD
— BjkBasket (@BjkBasket) December 24, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Banks is a man of the people
Winter Camp ft. @1jamesbanks pic.twitter.com/kpGmVv28C4
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) December 21, 2022
View this post on Instagram
Come say what up ! https://t.co/qGyJw6vB1V
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) December 22, 2022
You see the basketball moves I make on the court but you rarely see the business moves I make off the court. Join me in the Front Office and see how I’m much more than just an athlete #PlayersTV
Watch now on @theplayerstv
Link: https://t.co/UI5wMH0xII@ThePlayersTV pic.twitter.com/7Z5Os9NUcb— THAD YOUNG (@yungsmoove21) December 16, 2022
Yellow Jackets in Professional Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Spain) led Bilbao to a victory over one of league’s weakest teams Manresa (2-10) 86-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 16 points and added 4 passes in 28 minutes. Surne Bilbao Basket (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. Smith has relatively good stats this season 12.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg and 1.3spg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) could not help ALBA Berlin (3-12) in their last game. Despite Lammers’ good performance the bottom-ranked ALBA Berlin was edged92-89 on the road by the second-ranked Monaco. He scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. It was ALBA Berlin’s 12th consecutive loss in a row. This year Lammers averages 6.3ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.3spg in 12 games he played so far.
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 (8-7) in their game last Monday. Despite Golden’s very good performance Beijing Royal Fighters were crushed130-109 in Jiangsu by the higher-ranked Monkey Kings (#6). He was the top scorer with 39 points. Golden also added 8 rebounds and 8 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) in 48 minutes. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 23.1ppg, 5.1rpg and 5.7apg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays pro in China) was the main contributor in a Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ victory against the 13th-ranked Jilin Tigers (8-8) crushing them 115-82 in the Chinese CBA on Monday night. He was MVP of the game. Wright had a double-double by scoring 21 points and getting 14 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. Zhejiang Golden Bulls (14-1) are placed first in the CBA. It was his team’s 14th consecutive victory in a row. Wright has relatively good stats this year 10.6ppg, 5.9rpg and 1.3spg in 12 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, plays in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Los Angeles Clippers (19-14) 111-95 in the NBA in Thursday night’s game. Okogie recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting the same number of rebounds in 26 minutes. The Phoenix Suns have 19-13 record this season. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. This season Okogie averages 4.1ppg and 2.9rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, currently in the NBA) contributed to a New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the San Antonio Spurs 126-117 in the NBA last Thursday. He scored 9 points, made 3 passes and 3 steals. Alvarado has relatively good stats this year 9.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.2apg and 1.3spg in 30 games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, plays pro in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul (5-5) in their game last Sunday. Despite his very good performance Besiktas Icrypex Istanbul was defeated 97-83 in Petkim by the lower-ranked Socar (#9). Usher was the second best scorer with 16 points in 27 minutes. Usher has relatively good stats this season 14.1ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.1apg.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the Toronto Raptors in their game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. Young scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team were edged 104-101 in the NBA. This year Young averages 5.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.8apg and 1.1spg in 29 games.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, currently in Kuwait) was the major contributor in Kuwait’s victory against the seventh-ranked Al Sadd 99-93 in the West Asia Super League last Tuesday. He recorded 22 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 27 minutes. It was his first game for Kuwait this season. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, plays pro in Japan) helped SeaHorses Mikawa win their game against the leader Ryukyu GK 96-81 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. Schafer scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. This year Schafer averages 5.0ppg and 3.9rpg in 21 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
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 Batumi in Georgian Superleague
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994) plays for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G 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.
#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 |
