THE FLATS – Josh Okogie went through the emotions in the hours leading up to the NBA trade deadline … Dennis Scott to be inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE WENT THROUGH THE EMOTIONS AT TRADE DEADLINE
When the NBA trade deadline came and went, the Phoenix Suns made the biggest trade of the year, landing Kevin Durant for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and a slew of picks.
Wing player Josh Okogie joined the Run Your Race Podcast on the Tidal League Network hosted by Theo Pinson, and after hearing rumors leading up to the deal, he had no idea whether or not he would be traded or just thrown in on any package.
The night Durant was acquired and Okogie knew a potential trade was looming, his agent gave him quite the scare.
“My agent called while we were playing cards earlier that night,” Okogie told Tidal League. “My heart was beating. ‘I’ll be right back y’all.’ Went to the bathroom and said, ‘what’s up?’ He responded, ‘I just wanted to check on you.’
“I said, ‘Bro, it is the trade deadline! Do not call me until 1 p.m. tomorrow! Don’t call me. Don’t call me. Do not check on me until 1 p.m. tomorrow.’ Over there scaring me like that. I am thinking I am not about to go back to play cards with the fellas.”
“Getting back to our principles.”
Josh Okogie on #Suns cutting 25-point deficit to three in second half of loss at #Warriors.
Face Milwaukee in 2nd of back-to-back Tuesday in Phoenix.
“It’s the #NBA. We know what we’re up against.” pic.twitter.com/2u5UQfLeb2
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 14, 2023
JOSH OKOGIE POSTER 😱
Watch live on the NBA App
📺: https://t.co/1pomQZMAZK pic.twitter.com/KrulCaLx1A— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2023
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DENNIS SCOTT TO BE INDUCTED INTO MAGIC HALL OF FAME
The Orlando Magic will induct Dennis Scott into their Hall of Fame on Thursday, March 23 at 3:45 p.m. in Amway Center, near the Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience. Scott will become the 12th member of the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.
In addition to the induction ceremony, Scott will be honored that night during Orlando’s game vs. New York. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and tickets are available through OrlandoMagic.com.
“Dennis (Scott) still remains one of the elite, long-range shooters in both Orlando Magic and NBA history,” said Martins. “His ability to shoot from beyond the three-point arc was a major key to our success during his time in Orlando and his records stand to this day. We are proud to make Dennis the next inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.”
Originally selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft by Orlando, Scott played seven seasons with the Magic from 1990-97. He played in 446 regular season games (322 starts) with Orlando, averaging 14.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 30.7 min pg., while shooting .403 (981-2,432) from threepoint range.
ICYMI: On March 23, Dennis Scott will be the 12th inductee into the @OrlandoMagic HOF 🎉 pic.twitter.com/tIwyzV8S8W
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) March 8, 2023
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Warm and fuzzy 👩🏾❤️💋👨🏾 pic.twitter.com/m3vOUyo7wG
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) March 12, 2023
— THAD YOUNG (@yungsmoove21) March 14, 2023
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 9, 2023
Thaddeus Young joins Michael Cage today for 61st all-time in NBA games played with 1,140 pic.twitter.com/kYhbTvIymC
— Top Data NBA… Live! (@TopDataNBA_Live) March 15, 2023
The Buzz is Back On The Flats! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/nzhuwfmm9U
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) March 14, 2023
Certified bucket and passer is in the building let’s gooooooooo @chibbs_1 @BrooklynNets @BrooklynBrigade pic.twitter.com/reBRsnUN51
— Manny (@MannySchefter) March 17, 2023
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Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, plays pro in Spain) could not help Bilbao (1-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Bilbao was edged74-72 at home by the leading Tenerife. Smith was the top scorer with 19 points in 25 minutes. It was Bilbao’s third consecutive loss in a row. There are only two 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 12.4ppg, 2.6rpg and 3.3apg in 10 games he played so far.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22, plays in Turkey) was the major contributor in a Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul’s surprising victory against the second-ranked Tofas (14-5) crushing them 105-85 in the Turkish BSL last Saturday. He scored 23 points and grabbed 4 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Usher’s first season in pro basketball. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (6-14) is placed second from the bottom (#15) in the BSL. The Regular Season already ended. It’s Usher’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season 14.4ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.2apg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, currently in Germany) contributed to an ALBA Berlin’s victory against the tenth-ranked Chemnitz (10-11) 101-91 in the German BBL on Saturday night. He scored 7 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 2 blocks in 19 minutes. ALBA Berlin (19-2) is placed first in the BBL. This year Lammers averages 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.1bpg in 12 games.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21, plays pro in China) led Zhejiang Golden Bulls to an easy victory against the 15th-ranked Eagles (14-19) 118-102 in the Chinese CBA in Saturday night’s game. Wright scored 20 points and added 4 passes; not bad, considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. Zhejiang Golden Bulls (28-4) are placed first in the CBA. It was his team’s eighth consecutive victory in a row. It’s Wright’s first year with the team. Wright has relatively good stats this season 12.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg and 1.3spg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays in the NBA) was not able to help the Phoenix Suns (37-30) in their last game. Despite Okogie’s very good performance the Phoenix Suns (37-30) lost 119-128 on the road to the Sacramento Kings. He scored 15 points in 35 minutes. It was Suns’ first loss after four consecutive victories. This year Okogie averages 7.0ppg, 3.3rpg and 1.2apg in 57 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, currently in Georgia) led Batumi to a victory against the closely-ranked TSU 86-80 in the Georgian Superleague on Sunday night. He scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Alston has relatively good stats this season 11.8ppg, 4.8rpg and 3.6apg.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for SeaHorses Mikawa (14-25) in their last game. Despite Schafer’s good performance the sixth-placed SeaHorses Mikawa lost 74-87 in Hamamatsu to the higher-ranked (#5) San-en NP in the Central group. He recorded 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 22 minutes. This year Schafer averages 5.2ppg and 4.3rpg in 37 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, plays in Argentina) led Obera to a 1-point victory over the 16th-ranked Argentino 89-88 in the Argentinian La Liga last Saturday. He was MVP of the game. Mitchell recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 13 rebounds. He also added 3 assists. It was his first game for Obera this season.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14, currently in China), who plays in the Chinese CBA couldn’t help Beijing Royal Fighters (10-22) in their last game. Despite his good performance Beijing Royal Fighters were badly defeated110-90 in Hangzhou by the higher-ranked (#12) Guangsha Lions. Golden was the second best scorer with 13 points in only a mere 14 minutes. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 21.5ppg, 4.3rpg and 5.6apg in 30 games.
Experienced Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help Shinshu BW in their game against Yokohama BC in the Japanese B1 League. He recorded 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. His team was defeated 83-71. This season McHenry averages 9.3ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.4apg and 1.3spg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
- 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
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- 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
- 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
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983, played in 2001-05) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997, played in 2017-17) played for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB last year
- 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 |
