THE FLATS – Marcus Georges-Hunt carries his Kuwait Club into the finals of the FIBA West Asia Super League … Josh Okogie reacts to Suns trade news by appearing in Milan fashion week … More on how Thaddeus Young pays it forward … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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GEORGES-HUNT CARRIES KUWAIT CLUB INTO ASIA SUPER LEAGUE FINALS
Marcus Georges-Hunt and this present-day Kuwait Club sure knows a thing or two about breakthroughs.
Back in August of last year, they gave the club its first-ever Arab club championship by sweeping the tournament. Just last May saw them become the inaugural FIBA West Asia Super League-Gulf (WASL-Gulf) titlists, doing so in unbeaten fashion as well (10-0).
Now, they would want to become the first-ever WASL kings.
“This right here would be special,” said Georges-Hunt.
Kuwait Club could do just that. They reached the Final 8 championship round after taking down WASL-West Asia winners Al Riyadi in the Semi-Finals, 95-85, Friday night at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.
The 29-year-old himself was on the forefront of the triumph, firing a game-high 32 points – spiked by 4 triples – alongside 4 rebounds and 4 assists in yet another proof why he’s one of the teams’ most reliable closers.
Is another milestone in store for Marcus Georges-Hunt and Kuwait Club? 💎#FIBAWASL x #ChampionsCup
— FIBA Asia Champions Cup (@FIBAAsiaCC) June 17, 2023
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JOSH OKOGIE SHOWS OFF STYLE AT FASHION WEEK
Nigerian professional basketball star Josh Okogie is back among the trends on social media.
Okogie was last in action for the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals.
Okogie helped the Phoenix Suns record a 4-1 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.
However, Okogie could not help the Suns as they fell to the eventual NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, 4-2 in the second round.
Following the conclusion of the season, Okogie has left Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States of America for Europe.
The guard/wing combo was spotted in Milan, Italy, on vacation during the offseason.
The new-look Suns could be scary 😳 pic.twitter.com/qfqOnaTY1z
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2023
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THADDEUS YOUNG RETURNS HOME TO HOST FREE BASKETBALL CAMP
Getting to the bag is one thing, but having multiple bags to tap into takes it to another level. NBA player Thaddeus Young is a modern example of that elevation.
Young is from Memphis, TN, and quickly rose as a breakout star in basketball in the city. After playing with Georgia Tech, he would be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Since entering the league in 2007, Young has spent most of his career with the 76ers, and played with other teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Brooklyn Nets. Young is currently playing for the Toronto Raptors.
Now at this point in his career, the 34-year-old is impacting the court and using his wisdom to help guide younger players. A report from The Athletic describes Young as a main staple for the team.
And just like his locker room wisdom, Young also pays it forward in the community.
“This community has done a lot for me, and I’ve done a lot for it, but it’s a partnership,” Young said. “We work together on a lot of different collaborative communities, and it’s been really good. I’m nothing but thankful and grateful for the support I’ve had, and hopefully, I continue to get that support, but it’s been a great partnership in this community.”
Young’s communal impact and his performance on the hardwood speak to his overall savviness.
Dope black dad 🫶🏾❤️@yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/ppwVziCN0X
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) June 18, 2023
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#ProJackets on Social Media
NYC Point God! #MrChibbs
#2 Pick GT! @chibbs_1
Draft Night 23 #LeaveIt pic.twitter.com/YCaIMV3inD— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) June 21, 2023
“These are my reasons why” ❤️
Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! pic.twitter.com/AxKBfYCuOi
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 18, 2023
Jose Alvarado hosted a youth basketball clinic in Baton Rouge👏
See the full gallery here➡️https://t.co/KDT51q9vgP@AmeriHealthLA pic.twitter.com/AtUSpaQYrG
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 16, 2023
Happy birthday to the vet @yungsmoove21 🎉 pic.twitter.com/XxMPnY99YP
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 21, 2023
Some handles from young smoove 👀 pic.twitter.com/DnXOoi35Rx
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 21, 2023
Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, plays pro in Uruguay) managed to help Urunday Universitario Montevideo to win against the closely-ranked Olimpia (2-1) crushing them 81-51 in a derby game in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) on Tuesday night. He scored only 4 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 23 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Urunday Universitario Montevideo (2-0) is placed third in the Metropolitan. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Mitchell has relatively good stats this season 12.5ppg, 10.0rpg and 2.5apg.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13, plays in Vietnam) was the major contributor in a Nhatrang Dolphins’ victory against one of league’s weakest teams Catfish (0-2) 96-87 in the Vietnamese VBA in Friday night’s game. He had a double-double by scoring 29 points and getting 18 rebounds. Sampson also added 3 assists. Nhatrang Dolphins (1-1) is placed fifth in the VBA. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. Sampson has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 27.0ppg, 17.5rpg, 2.5apg and 1.5bpg in two games he played so far. Sampson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) plays for Bilbao in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Joseph 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
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22) plays for Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Turkish BSL
- 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
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987, played in 2006-10) played for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA last year
- Joshua 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
- 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
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19) plays for Batumi in Georgian Superleague
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991, played in 2009-14) played for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League last year
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- 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
- 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
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997, played in 2017-17) played for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB last year
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983, played in 2001-05) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
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 |
