THE FLATS – Tributes continue to pour in for the hustle and performance of Josh Okogie for the Suns in the NBA Playoffs … Phoenix advanced to the second round by eliminating the Clippers in five games … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
UNDER THE RADAR: JOSH OKOGIE’S HUSTLE IS NON-STOP
When Josh Okogie was in 8th grade, his gym teacher at Shiloh Middle School attended one of his basketball games. After watching him blitz around the court full of energy, he dubbed Josh a new nickname: “Nonstop.”
“He was like, ‘Man, you’re just nonstop. That’s your new nickname,’” Okogie said in a phone interview last week.
That nickname inspired Josh’s Instagram handle (@Callme_nonstop), but it is who he is now — and who he’s always been.
Whether he’s playing in a gym with wooden bleachers as an 8th grader in Snellville, Ga., or guarding the NBA’s best in the 2023 playoffs, he’s always going full bore.
Okogie was born in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the largest cities in Africa. When he was three years old, his family won a visa lottery, which gave them the opportunity to emigrate to the United States. The rest of Okogie’s extended family — his aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas — still live in Nigeria.
Family roots are important to Okogie and he’s been back to Nigeria twice (in 2011 and 2019). One of the most proud moments in his life was representing his country and family at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he played for the Nigerian men’s national basketball team.
“I do the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.”
Josh Okogie has been huge for Phoenix! The Suns can advance with a Game 5 win tonight at 10pm/et on TNT.
📰 https://t.co/dKQH60IRT2 pic.twitter.com/1rm14PXIK6
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023
*****
SUNS HAVE A SECRET WEAPON AND HIS NAME IS JOSH OKOGIE
Every player in the NBA wants to start, but sometimes a player’s full potential is utilized by bringing them into the game from the bench. For Josh Okogie of the Phoenix Suns, he has lived both worlds this season and Okogie has thrived in his new role with the Suns.
Spending the first four years of his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Okogie decided to sign a one-year, minimum-like deal with the Suns this past offseason.
“Obviously there weren’t a lot of moves being made in free agency last year though because of Kevin Durant request a trade from Brooklyn and stuff like that, so when Phoenix told me they wanted me to join the organization and obviously I had seen how great their culture was, that was a no-brainer decision for me,” Josh Okogie told Fastbreak on FanNation recently in an exclusive interview. “To be able to join that group of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Monty Williams and what he has built with this organization, I knew this was the right move for me.”
Early on in the season Okogie sat near the end of the Suns’ bench, out of their nightly rotation and really only seeing minutes late in the fourth quarter when the game had already been decided. Then, as the 24-year-old guard became more comfortable with his role and new team, he began seeing his minutes increase.
“I kind of knew where he was trying to go.”
Josh Okogie on his steal on Norman Powell that led to Kevin Durant transition bucket to put #Suns up four with 58.8 seconds left. #Clippers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/5lXvmaNk8b
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 26, 2023
#ProJackets on Social Media
🇿🇦 The Mall 👀 WaterFront! pic.twitter.com/jjhWiUJWjL
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 23, 2023
If u know, then u know!
Real is Real! #GreekFreakFamilyStory
Real Talent! 🍿✔️🙏🏿📺🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/kU6CnRP2pL— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 21, 2023
View this post on Instagram
Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Germany) was the major contributor in an ALBA Berlin’s victory against the 13th-ranked Hamburg Towers (11-19) crushing them 83-63 in the German BBL in Sunday night’s game. He recorded 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a mere 15 minutes. ALBA Berlin (28-2) is placed first in the BBL. It was his team’s tenth consecutive victory in a row. This year Lammers averages 6.6ppg, 4.6rpg and 1.1bpg in 18 games he played so far.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22, plays in Turkey) could not help Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (12-14) in their last game on Monday. Despite Usher’s very good performance Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul was badly defeated104-88 in a derby game by the higher-ranked Efes (#4). He was the top scorer with 24 points. Usher also added 4 rebounds. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It’s Usher’s first season with the team. Usher has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 15.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2spg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, currently in Spain) was not able to help Bilbao in their game against Fuenlabrada (4-24) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. He scored 7 points in 32 minutes. Bilbao lost 71-77 on the road to the league outsider (#18) Fuenlabrada. Smith has relatively good stats this year 13.7ppg, 2.1rpg and 2.9apg in 27 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to a Phoenix Suns’ victory against the Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) 129-124 in the NBA in Thursday night’s game. Okogie scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns have 45-37 record this season. Okogie has relatively good stats this year 7.2ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.4apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Experienced Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, plays in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for Shinshu BW (25-28) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the third-placed Shinshu BW (25-28) lost 96-102 in Toyama to the lower-ranked (#7) Grouses in the Central group. McHenry was the top scorer with 26 points. He also added 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 36 minutes. It’s McHenry’s sixth season with the team. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 10.6ppg, 7.4rpg, 3.3apg, 1.1bpg and 1.3spg in 48 games.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, currently in Belgium) helped his Belgian team Stella Artois Leuven Bears win their game against the tenth-ranked Feyenoord 88-76 in the BNXT League on Friday night. Heath recorded 10 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists. This season he averages 9.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.8apg and 1.3spg.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays pro in Georgia) couldn’t help Batumi (10-10) in their last game. Despite his good performance Batumi lost 84-90 in Tbilisi to the higher-ranked (#3) Kavkasia. Alston recorded 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and made 2 blocks in 38 minutes. He has relatively good stats this year 11.6ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.0apg and 1.1spg in 15 games.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21, plays in China) helped Zhejiang Golden Bulls win their game against the ninth-ranked Long-Lions crushing them 114-91 in the Chinese CBA last Monday. He recorded 8 points and had 3 steals. Wright has relatively good stats this season 12.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.4apg and 1.3spg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) led Obera to a victory against the 11th-ranked Riachuelo LR 96-85 in the Argentinian La Liga on Sunday night. Mitchell recorded 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 27 minutes. It was his first game for Obera this season.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, plays pro in Kuwait) helped his Kuwaiti team Kuwait win their game against the closely-ranked Shabab Al Ahli 87-71 in the West Asia Super League in Tuesday night’s game. Georges-Hunt recorded 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. This season he has very high stats. Georges-Hunt averages 16.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.6apg and 1.4spg. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- 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
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) played for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA in January
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987, played in 2005-09) played for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN few months ago
- 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
- 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 Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- 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
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 |
