THE FLATS – What to expect from Josh Okogie in Phoenix in 2023-24 and other random happenings in August … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM JOSH OKOGIE IN 2023-24
Wing Josh Okogie, who re-signed with the Suns this offseason on a two-year minimum deal, started the team’s final 25 games of the regular season. However, then-coach Monty Williams benched him in favor of wing Torrey Craig, who he felt matched up better against the Los Angeles Clippers’ forwards. Okogie returned to the starting lineup against Denver but then was surprisingly benched altogether for Game 6.
Okogie and Phoenix have a new coach, Frank Vogel, who is considered an elite defensive teacher. Vogel has led teams to a top defensive rating three times since 2012, the most of any coach in that span. Okogie, who is considered a pesky on-ball defender, is sure to thrive in the scheme.
The question for Okogie, the reigning Dan Majerle Hustle Award winner, is if he will be included as a fifth starter next to Booker, Durant, Ayton and Bradley Beal, who the team acquired from the Washington Wizards in June.
Josh Okogie’s uber-athleticism is on display at @AEBLHOOPS!
Watch live: https://t.co/U5ccIw1Lez pic.twitter.com/hAhPggw6s3
— NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2023
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SHOULD JOSH OKOGIE BE THE SUNS’ 5TH STARTER
Before the first playoff matchup against the Clippers last season, Phoenix Suns’ guard/forward Josh Okogie was in the starting lineup alongside Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton, and former Suns Chris Paul.
With this lineup, the team was an electric 8-0 in the regular season and 8-2 overall last season. With Kevin Durant alone, Okogie’s record was 10-3 in the starting lineup.
With Okogie resigned to a two-year deal, many people are wondering who will be the Suns’ fifth starter next to Booker, Durant, Ayton, and newcomer Bradley Beal.
There’s reason to go with a guy like Keita Bates-Diop or even Eric Gordon to some extent. However, I’m a firm believer in Okogie being the fifth starter and I’m going to give you three reasons why Okogie should continue to be the Suns starter.
Josh Okogie put on a show during today’s @AEBLHOOPS action 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gsK8LMYaLX
— NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2023
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CHRIS BOSH CRASHES DWYANE WADE INTERVIEW
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WHEN JOSE ALVARADO SCORED A CAREER HIGH DURING THE WORLD CUP
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Hall Of Fame! 🏀🍿💯👍🏾🔥✔️ pic.twitter.com/0MYEwngUNf
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 13, 2023
Brandon Ingram says the best moments of his career is watching his teammates get paid
“Someone asked me the other day what my best moment has been in the NBA so far. I told them seeing Jose (Alvarado) and Herb get paid.”
(Via @TheAthleticNBA ) pic.twitter.com/uJ1tby2RWx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 9, 2023
Really my dawg 4Ever ! https://t.co/eOEODBT4Bh
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) August 8, 2023
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Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays pro in Uruguay
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays in Vietnam
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Portland in NBA Summer League
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1999, played in 2019-22) played for Phoenix in NBA Summer League
- Ja’Von Franklin (6’7”-F, graduated ‘2023) played for Miami in NBA Summer League
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22) played for New York Knicks in NBA Summer League
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21) played for Toronto in NBA Summer League
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Jose 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) played for Atlanta Hawks in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, plays in 2016-18) played for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) plays for Bilbao in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18) played for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) played for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17) played 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) played for Beijing Royal Fighters in Chinese CBA
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Batumi in Georgian Superleague
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, played in 2001-05) played for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) played 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) signed for Sigortam.net in Turkish TBL
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Power in the Big3
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) played for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
