THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado thriving on Pelicans’ “crazy” environment … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO SAYS PELICANS OK WITH BEING CRAZY TEAM
After Naji Marshall threaded a bounce pass through the Houston Rockets’ defense to Trey Murphy for a dunk, Jose Alvarado reacted by going berserk on the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench.
Alvarado flapped his arms and ran onto the court. The game was less than five minutes old, and Alvarado had yet to check in. But his energy level for a midweek tilt against the last-place Rockets was already off the charts.
Alvarado has always been a passionate player. The way he celebrated Marshall’s full-court pass represented that. It also put on display a quality Alvarado spoke about earlier in the day that he said has been part of New Orleans’ success: being unconcerned with outside opinion.
“I think we are OK being that crazy team,” Alvarado said at Wednesday’s shootaround. “I think we are OK with that. I think we are not playing too cool for school. … One time, a person told me, ‘It’s OK to be that crazy guy.’ I think we are OK with that.”
Alvarado being Alvarado 🫢 pic.twitter.com/C39x5FLIvi
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 31, 2022
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ALVARADO NETS AN EFFICIENT 13 WEDNESDAY
Jose Alvarado scored 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-6 3PT) and added five rebounds and two assists in the Pelicans’ win on Wednesday.
Alvarado played an all-around good game Wednesday as he led the Pelicans in +/- (+14) and he didn’t turn it over once in 21 minutes. His 55.6 FG% broke his nearly three week long streak of shooting under 50% from the field.
VIDEO: Alvarado drills 3 vs. Rockets
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Happy New Year’s 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Dh1ZAmutwD
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) January 1, 2023
Former @GTMBB‘s @Traegolden had the HOT HAND today in #China. But was it enough to lift his Royal Fighters over the Ducks?
Tune in at 5PM ET to find out. Watch the game for FREE on FTF Sports: https://t.co/2XhzhBzIf1. @tgeldrid is on the call🎙️. pic.twitter.com/9sVRRZ6XlN
— FTF Sports (@ForTheFansHQ) January 4, 2023
Jordan Usher (2022 PIT, Georgia Tech) scored a season-high 24 points (4-7 3-pt) and added 5 assists to lead Besiktas (Turkey) to a 98-84 win over Darussafaka. Usher is averaging a solid 14.8 ppg and shooting 43.6% from 3 this season. @GTMBB @GeorgiaTech
— P.I.T. (@PIT_Basketball) January 4, 2023
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Josh Okogie, Chris Paul and Torrey Craig getting up shots. #Suns pic.twitter.com/my1J5WfaTG
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 3, 2023
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#3DTVEats That Drizzle! 👀🗣#LeaveIt 🔥🔥🔥 @windellsseafood ✔️✅👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/O3yn4Nj648
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) December 30, 2022
I am pumped for this one 👇 https://t.co/H7VNqj1MNm
— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) January 4, 2023
Yellow Jackets in Professional Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Spain) could not help one of league’s weakest teams Bilbao (2-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Bilbao lost 80-85 at home to the leading Real Madrid. Smith was the second best scorer with 19 points. He also added 3 assists in 28 minutes. Smith has relatively good stats this year 13.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg and 1.3spg in 13 games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) led his German team ALBA Berlin to a victory against the closely-ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (6-10) 91-79 in the Euroleague last Friday. Lammers recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. ALBA Berlin (4-12) closes the standings in the Euroleague. But the situation may improve as they ended a series of twelve consecutive loses. This season Lammers averages 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.2spg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, currently in Turkey) led Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul to a victory over the closely-ranked Dacka (6-6) 98-84 in a derby game in the Turkish BSL on Saturday night. Usher was MVP of the game. He scored 24 points and added 5 passes in 35 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Usher’s first season in pro basketball. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (6-5) is placed fourth in the BSL. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It’s Usher’s first year with the team. Usher has relatively good stats this season 15.0ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.5apg in 11 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (21-13) 125-108 in the NBA in Tuesday night’s game. Okogie scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns have 20-17 record this season. This year Okogie averages 4.4ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.1apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, graduated ‘2014, plays in China) was not able to help Beijing Royal Fighters (8-10) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Beijing Royal Fighters were crushed 111-89 on the road by the lower-ranked (#17) Blue Whales. Golden was the top scorer with 29 points. He also added 7 passes (made all of his seven free throws) in 41 minutes. It was Beijing Royal Fighters’ third consecutive loss in a row. It’s Golden’s first season with the team. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 22.6ppg, 4.8rpg and 5.6apg in 18 games.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, currently in China) contributed to an easy victory against one of league’s weakest teams Sturgeons crushing them 110-81 in the Chinese CBA on Saturday night. He recorded 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. This season Wright averages 10.0ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.1apg and 1.3spg.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to a Toronto Raptors’ victory against the Phoenix Suns 113-104 in the NBA in Friday night’s game. Young scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 24 minutes. This year he averages 5.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg in 32 games.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) helped New Orleans Pelicans win their game against the Indiana Pacers crushing them 113-93 in the NBA last Monday. Alvarado scored 8 points, grabbed 4 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls. He has relatively good stats this season 9.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.4spg.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, currently in Kuwait) was the main contributor in Kuwait’s victory against the closely-ranked Al-Manama 91-88 in the West Asia Super League on Tuesday night. Georges-Hunt was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 32 minutes. Georges-Hunt has very impressive stats this year 22.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 3.5apg in two games. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, plays pro in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Akita NH in the Japanese B1 League. He cannot count Friday’s game as one of the best ones. Schafer recorded only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team was defeated 74-62. This season he averages 4.7ppg and 3.7rpg. Schafer is a naturalized Japanese.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) is a free agent
- 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) signed 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
- 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
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for Power in the Big3
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) signed for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
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 |
