THE FLATS – Josh Okogie wins the Dan Majerle Hustle Award from the Suns, who are the No. 4 seed in the NBA playoffs … Jose Alvarado cleared to practice, but not available for Pelicans’ play-in game … Thaddeus Young’s Raptors facing Bulls in a play-in game … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE WINS DAN MAJERLE HUSTLE AWARD
The Phoenix Suns announced at Sunday’s season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers that guard Josh Okogie was awarded the Dan Majerle Hustle Award for the 2022-23 season.
The award is presented by the Suns at the end of each season and given to the player that best personifies the hustle, grit and determination that Phoenix great Dan Majerle displayed.
Okogie takes home the award after Mikal Bridges was the nominee for the last two seasons.
The guard was nicknamed “Nonstop” by his teammates for his constant energy.
Okogie appeared in 72 games, averaged 7.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and was often asked to guard the other team’s best player after Bridges was traded.
He became the first Suns guard to record at least 100 offensive rebounds and 30 blocks in a season since Majerle himself in 1993-94. the team said in a release.
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Josh Okogie is a true hooper 👟 @CallMe_NonStop #Suns pic.twitter.com/BDp6NMG9tY
— Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) April 7, 2023
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ALVARADO RETURNS TO PRACTICE, MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR PLAYOFFS
The New Orleans Pelicans said Jose Alvarado, out since Feb. 27 with a stress reaction in his right tibia, has resumed on-court basketball activities but has not been cleared to return to game action just yet.
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said in a statement that Alvarado will miss the play-in game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and he is not expected to play for at least a week.
If the Pelicans defeat the Thunder, they’ll advance to face the loser of Tuesday’s Los Angeles Lakers–Minnesota Timberwolves game on Friday night.
In the event they get by that game and earn the No. 8 seed, Alvarado would likely miss the first two games of a first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
The Pelicans added “a specific timeline for his return will be announced at a later date.”
A spark off the bench for the Pelicans all season, Alvarado averaged 9.0 points, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 61 games. He had played in 61 of a possible 62 games before his injury.
From ESPN.com
David Griffin announced the following medical update on Jose Alvarado: https://t.co/Da2puyfUbL pic.twitter.com/UWB8fWqDuy
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 11, 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) led Bilbao to a surprising victory over the second-ranked Barca (21-5) 82-80 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 22 points and added 4 passes (was perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line) in 29 minutes. Surne Bilbao Basket (12-14) is placed 11th in the Liga Endesa. It’s Smith’s first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 13.9ppg, 2.1rpg and 2.9apg in 26 games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays in Germany) contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (8-26) 88-71 in the Euroleague on Thursday night. He recorded 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. ALBA Berlin (11-23) is placed second from the bottom (#17) in the Euroleague. The Regular Season already ended in the Euroleague. This season Lammers averages 6.6ppg and 2.9rpg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22, currently in Turkey) led Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul to a victory over the tenth-ranked Merkezefendi (10-14) 70-59 in the Turkish BSL in Saturday night’s game. Usher was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points, grabbed 6 boards, passed 3 assists and added 3 steals in 29 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Usher’s first season in pro basketball. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (8-16) is placed 14th in the BSL. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Usher has relatively good stats this year 15.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.2apg and 1.1spg in 23 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays pro in the NBA) could not help the Phoenix Suns (45-37) in their last game on Friday. Despite Okogie’s very good performance the Phoenix Suns (45-37) were defeated 121-107 on the road by the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). There are only two games left until the end of the NBA Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. It’s Okogie’s first season with the team. Okogie has relatively good stats this year 7.3ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.5apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Experienced Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, plays in Japan) contributed to a Shinshu BW’s victory against the sixth-ranked San-en NP (18-32) 68-63 in the Japanese B1 League on Saturday night. He had a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. Shinshu Brave Warriors Nagano (23-27) is placed fourth in Central group. It’s McHenry’s sixth season with the team. This year McHenry averages 9.9ppg, 7.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.1bpg and 1.3spg in 45 games.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) was the major contributor in Obera’s victory against the 15th-ranked Ferro crushing them 97-63 in the Argentinian La Liga in Monday night’s game. Mitchell scored 15 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and made 4 blocks. It was his first game for Obera this season.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Georgia) managed to help Basketball Club Batumi in a victory against the closely-ranked Kavkasia crushing them 96-67 in the Georgian Superleague last Thursday. Alston recorded only 3 points in 23 minutes. He has relatively good stats this year 11.5ppg, 4.1rpg and 3.2apg in 13 games.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13, plays in Japan) was not able to help Yamaguchi (13-39) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Sampson’s very good performance Yamaguchi were defeated 118-107 at home by the second-ranked Saitama. He recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 14 rebounds. Sampson also added 3 assists. He has relatively good stats this season 12.6ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.2apg. He is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market.
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12, currently in Venezuela), who plays in the Venezuelan SPB was not able to secure a victory for Brillantes (3-9) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the fourth-placed Brillantes lost 90-97 in a derby game to the lower-ranked (#4) Heroes in the Western Conference West. Rice Jr. was the top scorer with 27 points in 29 minutes. He has individually a very good year with high stats. Rice Jr. averages 15.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.4apg and 1.4spg in 10 games.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, plays pro in Turkey) helped Samsunspor win their game against the closely-ranked Mersin crushing them 84-63 in the Turkish TBL (second division) last Friday. Gueye recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 14 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks. Gueye has relatively good stats this season 13.7ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1bpg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) played for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA in January
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- 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
- 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
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Beijing Royal Fighters in Chinese CBA
- 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
- 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.
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2024-25
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 4th season Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2024-25 Stats 9.8 ppg 2.0 rpg 4.9 apg 39.4% FG 40.9% 3pt FG | Record: 12-32 Standing: 14th place, -24 GB Streak: W4 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Charlotte Hornets Number: 12 NBA Experience: 7th season Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2024-25 Stats 6.0 ppg 2.9 rpg 0.6 apg 47.5% FG 37.8% 3pt FG | Record: 11-28 Standing: 13th place, -23.5 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 4-6 |
