THE FLATS – Jordan Usher’s road to Australia … Josh Okogie hosts family carnival in his hometown of Snellville … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE HOSTS FAMILY CARNIVAL IN SNELLVILLE
NBA sensation Josh Okogie, of the Phoenix Suns, brought an afternoon of fun and excitement to the Snellville community by organizing a family carnival at his alma mater, Shiloh High School. The event, held on Saturday, aimed to engage with the local community and provide an enjoyable day out for families before the NBA season kicks off.
The carnival, complete with all the classic favorites, offered a delightful array of games, prizes, mouth-watering food, face painting, and much more. Okogie, known for his contributions both on and off the basketball court, expressed his desire to give back to his community through this event.
NBA sensation Josh Okogie, of the Phoenix Suns, brought an afternoon of fun and excitement to the Snellville community by organizing a family carnival at his alma mater, Shiloh High School. https://t.co/NlH1MmuGWd
— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) September 4, 2023
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USHER REFLECTS ON SLIDING DOOR MOMENT
Life has come full circle for Perth Wildcats import Jordan Usher in more ways than one.
The 25-year-old touched down in Perth less than a month ago, convinced to head west by Wildcats coach John Rillie after spending last year playing in Turkey.
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OKAY THEN, USH 👀
👀 Watch live on the Wildcats App pic.twitter.com/1bnV3NACfL
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) August 25, 2023
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CAN OKOGIE BE THE STOPPER?
The Phoenix Suns are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this upcoming season. One of the questions that fans and pundits have about this team is. Will they be able to stop their opponents from scoring enough?
This is a fair question as the team is full of players that are known for their offensive skills. Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Deandre Ayton are all known as offensive forces. Who will be the defensive stopper for Phoenix?
Last season Josh Okogie started 26 games during the regular season. Does he get a chance to gain that starting role back? The Suns have options for that fifth starter. They could go with an extra big line-up and start Bol Bol. They could go with more scoring and start Eric Gordon. Okogie provides a defensive intensity that the other options do not.
#ProJackets on Social Media
That’s love ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/WGuyKqqYmQ
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) September 6, 2023
Happy Birthday to 3-D, Dennis Scott! 3-D was way ahead of his time as a shooter. In 1992-93, when league average for teams was just 9.0 3PA/G, he shot 40.3% on 5.0 3PA/G. When the NBA shortened the three-point line to 22’ all around in 1994-95, he shot 42.6% on 5.7 3PA/G, and… pic.twitter.com/NPMbeYoJrx
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) September 5, 2023
My guy @Dennis3DScott, Happy birthday, my guy. Much love always 💯 pic.twitter.com/yaNek5UNyg
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) September 5, 2023
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Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13, plays pro in Vietnam) led Nhatrang Dolphins to a victory over the closely-ranked Buffaloes (13-5) 80-72 in the Vietnamese VBA in Saturday night’s game. Sampson was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 35 points and getting 17 rebounds. Sampson also added 5 blocks in 38 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Nhatrang Dolphins (12-6) is placed third in the VBA. It was his team’s fifth consecutive victory in a row. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. It’s Sampson’s first season with the team. He has individually a very good year with high stats. Sampson averages 22.8ppg, 14.9rpg, 2.1apg, 2.1bpg and 1.9spg in 18 games he played so far. Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10, plays in Mexico). Lawal could not help Plateros de Fresnillo (1-4) to beat Halcones UV Xalapa (3-2) in the Mexican LNBP (second division). He scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The sixth-placed Plateros de Fresnillo (1-4) was edged100-97 on the road by the higher-ranked Halcones UV Xalapa (#4) in the West group. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Lawal has relatively good stats this year 11.6ppg and 7.8rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
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
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18) signed for Gran Canaria in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22) signed for Perth Wildcats in Australian NBL
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) plays for Bilbao in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22) signed for Lavrio in Greek GBL
- Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F, played in 2023-23) signed for Borac CA in Serbian KLS
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17) signed for Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) signed for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League
- 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
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
