THE FLATS – Two excellent stories on Thaddeus Young’s impact on his current team in Toronto and in his hometown of Memphis … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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YOUNG’S IMPACT ON RAPTORS WILL OUTLAST HIS TENURE
From the stands or the television, you sometimes can’t help but want to scream to the defender. Thaddeus Young has the ball in the post one of the two or three times that happens per night. You know where this is going.
Young is going to his right shoulder, shooting with his left hand. No matter how many times he might dribble the other way, no matter how many times he might suggest he is going to flip one up with his right mitt, 99 out of 100 times, that’s not going to happen. He is going to try to get back to his left hand and toss in a short push or hook shot. If you know this in the arena, the scouting report surely details this.
“My whole career I’ve been able to get to my left,” Young said. “Nobody’s been able to stop me, so why stop now?”
This has been the enduring lesson that Young has imparted to his younger teammates on the Raptors. Ultimately, talent and fit win the NBA, so Ujiri and Bobby Webster shouldn’t be given a pass on that one. Young helped the Raptors withstand O.G. Anunoby’s fractured finger last year and has been solid in spot duty this season, but he is on the periphery of the rotation for a team that badly needs more productive bench minutes. The Raptors gave him a two-year contract in the offseason, but next year’s salary is guaranteed for only $1 million. The Raptors might need to waive him to remain financially flexible heading into the offseason.
With that said, Young’s impact on his younger teammates could help the Raptors for years to come. We won’t know it, because there’s no way to precisely measure what a veteran teammate passes on successfully. There can be testimonials but not metrics. At this rate, Young’s second-most memorable moment as a Raptor might end up being his caught-on-tape halftime disagreement with Scottie Barnes. (What’s at the top? Come on now.)
Thad Young just ended Joel Embiid and the Raptors bench is all of us 💀#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/DCGASnA1eh
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) April 23, 2022
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WHY YOUNG MAINTAINS HIS TIES TO TROUBLED MEMPHIS
Thaddeus Young has his job in Toronto, lives in Dallas, and was born in New Orleans. But Memphis is where he’s from.
It’s where he learned the nuances of his crafty, in-between game that has served him well through 16 NBA seasons and counting, and where he developed his identity as a player and person.
He maintains a residence in the mid-South city known for music, basketball, and soul food. It’s also where civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, felled by a sniper while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel not far from the bright lights of Beale Street where B.B. King played the blues.
But it’s a city with challenges. It’s been recognized in recent years as the most dangerous and poverty-stricken metropolitan areas in the United States, and has been in the news recently following the beating death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old father and FedEx employee, by local police after a traffic stop.
Memphis is a city that needs a helping hand.
It’s why Young has kept his ties here, professionally, and personally, even as his career has taken him to Georgia for college and stops in Philadelphia, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and now Toronto as a pro. He considers it home.
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BIG MAN DEVOE?
From CBSSports.com: Michael Devoe finished with 14 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes during Friday’s 123-114 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Devoe did a solid job holding down the middle for Ontario, finishing with a block while also showcasing his offensive ability, scoring in the double-digits on an efficient clip. Expect him to continue to play at a solid level as one of the primary big men for Ontario.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
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Josh Okogie in 6 games with at least 25 minutes this season:
13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, 0.8 3-pointers
KD is out through the ASB, and Okogie could be a starter until he returns
PHX plays Thurs-Fri B2B vs. ATL/IND
Fantasy hoops must-add! pic.twitter.com/j8mvnR6AMP
— Zak Hanshew (@ZaktheMonster) February 9, 2023
💙💙💙 @1jamesbanks https://t.co/TZ37hLJvEG
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) February 7, 2023
Work Work Work! #LeaveIt
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Kzuow5VOkL— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) February 9, 2023
30,000 Whew PlayersOnlyBaby! Now in studio for History! ScoringParadiseKing! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0COBmEdQWJ
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) February 8, 2023
Episode 16 of the #MarkPriceFor3 Podcast is available. @Mark25Price talks all about
NBA Jam and NBA 2K
Kyrie to the Mavs
Autographed Jersey Announcement
Jersey’s of Hope interview
Court vision and making the correct pass
Platform and generosity
Much morehttps://t.co/BBRh3a6ouL— Aaron Conrad (@AaronConrad) February 7, 2023
Mark Price came up clutch in the 3-Point Contest last time #NBAAllStar was in Utah!
30 years later… who do you want to see in the contest? pic.twitter.com/53iGIZ7nE1
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 6, 2023
Yellow Jackets in Professional Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, plays pro in Spain) could not help Bilbao (1-2) in their game last Tuesday. Despite his very good performance Bilbao was defeated 78-66 on the road by the leading Tenerife. Smith was the top scorer with 16 points in 31 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Basketball Champions League Top 16. So now every game will be critical. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 11.7ppg, 2.7rpg and 3.4apg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays in Germany) was not able to help ALBA Berlin (6-18) in their last game. Despite his good performance the bottom-ranked ALBA Berlin lost 86-101 in Istanbul to the much higher-ranked (#4) Fenerbahce. Lammers scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. It was ALBA Berlin’s sixth consecutive loss in a row. This year Lammers averages 6.5ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.1spg in 20 games he played so far.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16, currently in the NBA) led New Orleans Pelicans to a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (25-30) 131-126 in the NBA last Saturday. Alvarado scored 18 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 24 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. The New Orleans Pelicans have 29-27 record this season. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. Alvarado has relatively good stats this season 9.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.1apg and 1.1spg.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to a Toronto Raptors’ surprising victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (33-21) 106-103 in the NBA on Sunday night. He recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. The Toronto Raptors have 26-30 record this season. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. It’s Young’s first year with the team. This season Young averages 5.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.5apg and 1.1spg in 44 games.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) helped his Belgian team Stella Artois Leuven Bears win their game against the closely-ranked Kangoeroes (9-6) 72-68 in the BNXT League in Saturday night’s game. He scored 12 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 33 minutes. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (7-8) is placed sixth in the BNXT League. Heath’s team will play only one more game in the BNXT League Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. It’s Heath’s fourth season with the team. This year he averages 8.1ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.3apg and 1.2spg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, currently in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Gunma CT in the Japanese B1 League. He recorded 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. His team lost 69-75. This year Schafer averages 5.1ppg and 4.1rpg in 34 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Georgia) helped Batumi win their game against the league leader Cactus 90-72 in the Georgian Superleague on Friday night. He recorded 12 points and added 5 assists in 25 minutes. Alston has relatively good stats this season 11.2ppg, 4.2rpg and 3.6apg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the Phoenix Suns in their game against the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Okogie cannot count Wednesday’s game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and added 3 assists. His team was crushed by 32 points 132-100 in the NBA. This year Okogie averages 5.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.2apg in 46 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, currently in Japan) helped Shinshu BW edge the leader Kawasaki BT 75-74 in the Japanese B1 League last Sunday. He recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in 32 minutes. This season McHenry averages 9.2ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.6apg and 1.2spg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Turkey) couldn’t help Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in their game against Pinar Karsiyaka in the Turkish BSL. Usher scored 5 points. His team lost 90-94. He has relatively good stats this year 13.9ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.2apg in 17 games.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) is a free agent in the NBA
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Chinese CBA
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987, played in 2005-09) played for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN few months ago
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987, played in 2006-10) played for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA last year
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Beijing Royal Fighters in Chinese CBA
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991, played in 2009-14) played for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League last year
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994, played in 2014-18) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) played for Power in the Big3 last year
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983, played in 2001-05) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997, played in 2017-17) played for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB last year
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays 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.
#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 |
