THE FLATS – Josh Okogie player review with the Suns and what might be next … James Banks III named recipient of Legends of the Community Award in Texas … Ja’von Franklin reportedly added to Miami Heat summer league team … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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SUNS PLAYER REVIEW: OKOGIE BROUGHT THE HUSTLE
Josh Okogie brings some great attributes to the table. He can guard three positions, plays relentless defense, and is a ferocious offensive rebounder for his size. The downside is that his offensive efficiency is low. He shot only 39.1% from the field during the regular season, and 33.5% from deep. In the playoffs, teams left him alone in the corner and he could only convert at a 14.3% rate. As a result, he was a massive net negative in the playoffs, with a horrific -12.9 net plus minus per 48. Coach Williams generally couldn’t afford to keep him on the floor and cannot be relied upon as a regular rotation player in the playoffs. Regardless, some team is likely to offer him more than the vet minimum. His return looks dubious because of that.
Okogie got very little burn early in the season, and was one of the last men up in the Suns’ rotation. In the first two months of the campaign, he was checking into almost every game, but was typically playing anywhere from one minute to ten minutes, rarely exceeding that.
But after that he worked his way into regular heavy minutes, and by the last 30 or so games of the season he had clearly become one of Monty Williams’ favorite Suns, displacing Ish Wainwright who had been the go-to hustle player in the lineup. Okogie started the last 25 games for the Suns, which was an outcome nobody could have predicted when the Suns signed him.
Okogie was only on a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Suns. He is now an unrestricted free agent.
More from Bright Side of the Sun
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BANKS EARNS LEGEND IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD
Texas Legends center James Banks III has been named the winner of the first ever Legend in the Community Award, presented by Thrivent. The award honors a Legends player who has the biggest impact on the community through both team and individual initiatives.
Banks is a native of Atlanta, Ga., where he works with local recreation centers to host free youth basketball clinics. In his second season with the Legends, Banks participated in more than 50 community events, impacting over 35 different organizations with his outreach efforts.
“This award speaks to who James is as a person,” said Legends President Malcolm Farmer. “He cares about making a difference far beyond the court, and we could not have selected a better honoree. We’re proud of all he’s done and continues to do in this community and back home in Georgia.”
The award was presented Wednesday night at the first annual “JB’s Family Game Night” at Eladio Martinez Learning Center in West Dallas. Banks received a custom ball showcasing some of his community efforts across the season and signed by students at Martinez. Thrivent presented a check for $5,000 to the foundation of Banks’ choosing to further his impact.
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said Banks. “My personal mission is to use my platform to help as many people as possible, and it’s great to have a team of supporters who not only recognize and celebrate that but help me accomplish it. To get the award in such a special environment with my Martinez family made it even more memorable and I’m grateful to them for being a part of the night.”
JB’s first annual Game Night is in the books!📚
Families were able to learn about the extracurricular activities held at the school & hang with JB!JB was presented with the first ever Legend in the Community Award and given a $5K check to the charity of his choice by @Thrivent pic.twitter.com/m9CHJorG3l
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) June 15, 2023
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REPORT: FRANKLIN TO JOIN MIAMI HEAT SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM
While he did not get drafted, former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Ja’von Franklin will find himself in a favorable situation to start his NBA career.
Franklin is going to be playing for the Miami Heat in the NBA’s Summer League this year. The Heat made their second NBA Finals appearance in four years and lost in five games to the Denver Nuggets.
After transferring to Georgia Tech last season, Franklin was arguably the best player on the Yellow Jackets. In 32 games, Franklin averaged 9.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.2 assists per game. 1.4 steals per game, and 1. 6 blocks per game. He was the third leading scorer on Georgia Tech last season.
Undrafted Georgia Tech wing Ja’von Franklin (6-7, 214 pounds) has committed to join the Heat’s summer league roster, according to a source.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 23, 2023
#ProJackets on Social Media
Fun Fact: @1jamesbanks was the “Captain” of the Uno Club in college
— Texas Legends (@TexasLegends) June 23, 2023
Last night’s special guests 🤩#VIPROW | @CrownRoyalAPPLE pic.twitter.com/Oiu1iTCZCn
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) June 24, 2023
6’7 Jordan Usher has been one of the most productive players in all of Turkey
Averaging 15.4 PPG/ 3.7 RPG/1.2 APG
On 56.5% FG/ 40% 3PT/ 77% FTAthletic 3-level scorer who’s getting as ready as possible for this years summer league
Former Georgia Tech wing and Jazz SL pic.twitter.com/uYBkeL9VaD
— Pistons Draft Talk (@PDTScouting) May 4, 2023
Love fam … thank you https://t.co/965DqAkKU7
— THAD YOUNG (@yungsmoove21) June 21, 2023
Who’s Jacket? 👀 pic.twitter.com/0U8DczyYkB
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) June 23, 2023
#LeaveIt #RedCarpetFlow pic.twitter.com/IhLTBw2lGC
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) June 22, 2023
Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, plays pro in Uruguay) was the major contributor in Urunday’s victory against the closely-ranked Lagomar crushing them 98-72 in a derby game in the Uruguayan Metropolitan (second division) in Friday night’s game. He scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 22 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Urunday Universitario Montevideois placed fourth in the Metropolitan. Mitchell has relatively good stats this year 12.8ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.3apg and 1.3bpg in four games he played so far.
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13, plays in Vietnam) could not help Nhatrang Dolphins (3-2) in their last game on Thursday. Despite his very good performance Nhatrang Dolphins was defeated 85-79 on the road by the leading Heat. Sampson recorded a double-double by scoring 28 points and getting 24 rebounds. He also added 3 assists. Sampson’s team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Sampson has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 22.6ppg, 18.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2bpg and 1.6spg. Worth to mention Sampson played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.
- Other former Georgia Institute of Technology 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
- 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
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Phoenix Suns 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
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 |
