THE FLATS – Josh Okogie giving the Phoenix Suns what they need as trade deadline passes … James Banks III gets back on track for the Texas Legends … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
OKOGIE GIVES THE SUNS WHAT THEY NEED
When losing pieces the likes of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, it is *beyond* important and truthfully imperative to have pieces in place that can replicate some of what those high-end youthful talents brought to the fold.
For Josh Okogie, those points being emphasized are his defense at the point of attack as well as on the wings and making the requisite dynamic closeouts the Suns defense tasks them with, in addition to rebounding, cutting, and being ready to shoot off the extra attention the top-end playmakers are sure to garner from opposing defenses.
All of that with even more emphasis on general energy and activity levels, while remaining prepared to adapt on the fly, around the aforementioned pieces.
Over the last two games, Okogie has provided all of this, in multiple contexts, in the manner that this rendition needs him to.
Specifically, against the Pacers, he was ever-active on the offensive end (17 points on 10 shots) – via timely cuts, sprinting the lanes in transition, and being ready to shoot or attack closeouts off of an unbalanced defense – while remaining in attack mode.
Sound On 🔊
Is Josh Okogie best-suited for that fifth spot in the new Suns lineup?
· First b2b with multiple made 3’s
· Defense – 9 deflections last 2 gms
· C&S ability (62.5% on 4.0)
· DrivesDove into most of what he’s been nailing since reinsertion into the rotation on O pic.twitter.com/M1pI7jhBmV
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) February 12, 2023
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
“Any time you lose three guys like Dario, Mikal and Cam, it hurts.”
Josh Okogie talked about his relationships with Dario Saric, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, but said you “can’t be mad” about getting a guy like Kevin Durant.
“It’s go time now.” pic.twitter.com/OBRW0k2B5a
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 14, 2023
*****
BANK ON IT!
The Texas Legends used a power performance from Grant Riller and James Banks III to snuff out G League Ignite (7-11) 107-89 in front of a sold-out Comerica Center crowd.
Banks recorded 18 points (8-11 FG, 1-3 FG), 12 rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes during Saturday’s 107-89 win over the Ignite.
Banks’ game-high seven offensive rebounds helped him post his first double-double of the season Saturday. However, he played only 21 minutes due to foul trouble.
STAT SHEET STUFFED. 😤
18 PTS | 12 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK@1jamesbanks 🎥: pic.twitter.com/1h8UGpBzYx
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) February 12, 2023
WATCH YOUR HEAD‼️🛩️
James Banks III comes flying in for the put-back jam on https://t.co/fLGfbO0vpY! pic.twitter.com/WRkpvgj498
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 12, 2023
*****
#ProJackets on Social Media
Jose Alvarado grand theft pic.twitter.com/DgZMq5jhby
— That’s a highlight (@ClipIt_NBA) February 5, 2023
A game day valentine post 🏀❤️ @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/qegkKiR693
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) February 14, 2023
@thejohnsalley pod interview is up. Great stories about late 70s/early 80s NYC hoops scene & the @theACC wars w/ his Georgia Tech squad (@GTMBB). And then 4 rings w/ @DetroitPistons Bad Boys, ‘96 @chicagobulls & @SHAQ & Kobe @Lakers. Hilarious & yet all business.
Link in bio. pic.twitter.com/7v9mZw810n— Chasing Hardware (@ChasingHardware) February 14, 2023
FlashBackFriday! #LeaveIt #OneTake 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/DL1EQdpEws
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) February 11, 2023
Thanks @BradDaugherty43…I miss running the pick and roll with you! All Star teammates in Utah together…Good times brother! https://t.co/4Fcb9w88gW
— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) February 15, 2023
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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 |
Eurobasket #ProJackets Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays pro in the NBA) could not help the Phoenix Suns (32-28) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the Phoenix Suns (32-28) lost 107-116 on the road to the Atlanta Hawks. Okogie was the top scorer with 25 points. He also added 4 boards, passed 3 assists and added 3 steals in 33 minutes. This year Okogie averages 6.3ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.2apg in 50 games he played so far. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, plays in Spain) led Bilbao to a victory over the 15th-ranked Granada (6-14) 90-73 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Saturday. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 21 points and added 4 passes. Surne Bilbao Basket (2-1) is placed second in the Liga Endesa. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 14.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.9apg and 1.1spg.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16, currently in the NBA) contributed to a 3-point New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-29) 103-100 in the NBA on Monday night. He scored 14 points in 29 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Alvarado’s second season in pro basketball. The New Orleans Pelicans have 30-29 record this season. Alvarado has relatively good stats this year 9.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.1apg and 1.1spg in 58 games.
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20, plays pro in the NBA G League) was the major contributor in a Texas Legends’ victory against the G League Ignite (5-10) 107-89 in the NBA G League in Saturday night’s game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 12 rebounds. Banks III also added 3 assists and 2 blocks; not bad, considering it’s only his third season in pro basketball. The Texas Legends have rather weak 4-11 record this season. It’s Banks III’s first year with the team. This year Banks III averages 7.6ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.9apg and 2.3bpg.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) was the main contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the closely-ranked Spirou Charleroi (10-7) 76-69 in the BNXT League last Thursday. He was MVP of the game. Heath scored 18 points and added 6 passes in 38 minutes. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (8-9) is placed sixth in the BNXT League. His team will play only one more game in the BNXT League Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It’s Heath’s fourth season with the team. This year Heath averages 9.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 6.5apg and 1.2spg in 11 games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, currently in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin to win against the closely-ranked EWE Baskets 89-81 in the German BBL on Saturday night. Lammers scored only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. This season he averages 6.5ppg and 4.5rpg.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Georgia) was not able to help Batumi (7-7) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Batumi lost 79-94 at home to the leading Olimpi. Alston was the second best scorer with 18 points. He also added 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) in 34 minutes. Alston has relatively good stats this year 12.1ppg, 4.4rpg and 3.6apg in seven games.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07, plays in the NBA) contributed to a 1-point Toronto Raptors’ victory against the Detroit Pistons 119-118 in the NBA last Sunday. Young scored only 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. This season he averages 4.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.5apg and 1.1spg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, currently in Japan) contributed to a 3-point SeaHorses Mikawa’s victory against the seventh-ranked Toyama Grouses 79-76 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. Schafer scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 21 minutes. This year he averages 5.0ppg and 4.3rpg in 36 games. Schafer is a naturalized Japanese.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, plays pro in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Shinshu BW (18-20) in their last game on Sunday. Despite McHenry’s good performance the third-placed Shinshu BW was edged68-65 on their home court in Nagano by the lower-ranked Hitachi SRT (#4) in the Central group. He scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. This season McHenry averages 9.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 3.5apg and 1.2spg.
Other former Georgia Tech players who play pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22) plays for Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Turkish BSL
- 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 monts ago
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987, played in 2006-10) played for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA last year
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-1990, played in 2009-09) played for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League last year
- 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
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994, played in 2014-18) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) played for Power in the Big3 last year
- 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
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983, played in 2001-05) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
