THE FLATS – Anthony McHenry shares memories and reflects on a 15-year legacy as pro basketball player in Japan … Josh Okogie’s hustle set the table for incident with Suns’ owner … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ANTHONY MCHENRY SHARES MEMORIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN JAPAN
Anthony McHenry arrived in Japan in 2008 to play for the fledgling Ryukyu Golden Kings, a second-year franchise in the now-disbanded bj-league. McHenry made an immediate impact for the team, helping establish the Okinawa-based franchise’s winning culture.
Ryukyu has had only one losing season (29-31 in the B.League‘s inaugural season, 2016-17) since McHenry, a former Georgia Tech guard/forward, laced up his sneakers to play for the team.
The Golden Kings captured the league title in McHenry’s first season in Japan. After that, the team set the bar so high that it always expected to compete for a championship each season.
With McHenry as a consistently strong all-around player, the Golden Kings won three more bj-league titles (2011-12, 2013-14 and 2015-16), the first two of which came with now-retired center Jeff Newton, whose No. 50 jersey hangs in the rafters at Okinawa Arena.
McHenry’s No. 5 jersey from his Ryukyu years (2008-17) will hang next to Newton’s in the future. He’s one of Japan’s basketball legends in the 21st century.
我ら信州のグレートティーチャー✧ ＼\ ٩( ‘神’ )و /／ ✧
マックは、basketballが大好き！プレイする地をコロコロ変えたくないと聞いた事があります。選んだ地、信州で幸福感を味わって貰える様、日々精進します🙏✨ #AnthonyMcHenry https://t.co/kEjOQFFnvY pic.twitter.com/Sr4Rg2sWBS— nike@Victoire de Samothrace (@nike935) April 16, 2023
Weekend Q&A feature on former #GeorgiaTech guard/forward #AnthonyMcHenry, who has played pro basketball in Japan for 15 seasons. #BLeague #SportsLook #Bリーグ #バスケ #琉球ゴールデンキングス #信州ブレイブウォリアーズ #アンソニー・マクヘンリー https://t.co/TFK3XW6fvO
— Ed Odeven (@ed_odeven) May 6, 2023
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OKOGIE’S HUSTLE SERVES AS SPARK FOR INCIDENT WITH SUNS OWNER
The fracas began when Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who held the basketball.
Jokic was trying to get the ball quickly — apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession — when he attempted to grab it from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the crowd, then Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.
Here’s the video from me getting nailed last night by Suns player Josh Okogie as he went for an out of bounds ball. Probably one of the bigger hits I’ve taken at work. While my toe has seen better days, my cameras all ok at least! pic.twitter.com/2MbbksgkLE
— Mark J. Rebilas (@rebilasphoto) May 8, 2023
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#ProJackets on Social Media
🚨Drawing is now open for a chance to buy 1 of 100 signed physical cards from Jose Alvarado!
Download the Daps app (link below) and click ‘Book Now’ beneath Jose’s cards to enter for a chance to purchase until 5/9 at 11:59pm ET. Winners will be notified with instructions to… pic.twitter.com/kXIkowesOG
— Daps (@Get_Daps) May 8, 2023
Josh Okogie with the reverse layup 🔄
— Suns Nation (@SunsNationCP) May 8, 2023
6am Work… pic.twitter.com/EOn7V2AS4P
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) May 9, 2023
My guy B.O. @GTAthletics A great guy! We learned a lot !!!! pic.twitter.com/2QqIYRb6Mw
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) May 10, 2023
We can’t thank you enough for going on this journey with us.
See you next season!@TreavorScales | @BrianOliver1313 pic.twitter.com/G7hwtErXfF
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) April 28, 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 victory over the 15th-ranked Manresa (9-20) 80-76 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night. He was MVP of the game. Smith scored 28 points (!!!), had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 34 minutes. Surne Bilbao Basket (16-10) is placed third in the Liga Endesa. It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Smith has relatively good stats this season 14.3ppg, 2.2rpg and 3.0apg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21, plays in China) was the main contributor in a Zhejiang Golden Bulls’ victory against the closely-ranked Aviators (28-14) 91-87 in the Chinese CBA in Tuesday night’s game. Wright was MVP of the game. He recorded 30 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Wright’s second season in pro basketball. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Zhejiang Golden Bulls (35-7) are placed first in the CBA. It’s Wright’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season 12.5ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.4apg and 1.4spg in 42 games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, currently in Germany), who plays in the German BBL could not help ALBA Berlin (29-3) in their game last Tuesday. Despite his good performance the league leader ALBA Berlin was defeated 84-77 on the road by the second-ranked Telekom Baskets. Lammers was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 21 minutes. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This season Lammers averages 6.9ppg, 4.4rpg and 1.1bpg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Turkey) was not able to help Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in their game against Dacka (14-13) in the Turkish BSL, despite his very good performance last Sunday. Usher scored 16 points and grabbed 5 rebounds; not bad, considering it’s only his first season in pro basketball. But Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul lost 93-100 in a derby game to the lower-ranked (#6) Dacka. Usher’s team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is quite important. Usher has relatively good stats this year 15.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2spg in 26 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays in the NBA) contributed to a Phoenix Suns’ victory against the Los Angeles Clippers (44-38) 136-130 in the NBA in Tuesday night’s game. Okogie scored 11 points and added 3 assists in 33 minutes. The Phoenix Suns have 45-37 record this season. It’s Okogie’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 7.2ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.4apg. Okogie is a naturalized Nigerian.
Josh 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 sixth-ranked BAL Weert 74-71 in the BNXT League last Saturday. Heath scored 11 points, had 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists. This year he averages 9.1ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.6apg and 1.3spg in 19 games.
Experienced Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05, plays pro in Japan) helped Shinshu BW win their game against the fourth-ranked Hiroshima Dragonflies 83-80 in the Japanese B1 League on Saturday night. He recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 10 rebounds. McHenry also added 5 assists in 36 minutes. He has relatively good stats this season 10.6ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.1bpg and 1.3spg.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, plays in Kuwait) helped his Kuwaiti team Kuwait win their game against the closely-ranked Shabab Al Ahli 110-100 in the West Asia Super League in Tuesday night’s game. He scored 16 points, made 5 passes and 6 steals. Georges-Hunt has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 16.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.8apg and 2.0spg in eight games. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, currently in Georgia) was not able to secure a victory for Batumi in their game against Kavkasia in the Georgian Superleague. Alston cannot count Tuesday’s game as one of the best ones. He recorded only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 26 minutes. His team was edged 84-82. Alston has relatively good stats this season 10.5ppg, 3.9rpg and 2.8apg.
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12, plays pro in Venezuela) was the major contributor in Brillantes’ victory against the ninth-ranked Taurinos crushing them 119-78 in the Venezuelan SPB on Saturday night. Rice Jr. scored 16 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists. He has very impressive stats this year 15.3ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.7apg and 1.3spg in 15 games.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) plays for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- 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 |
