THE FLATS – Three former Yellow Jackets – Jose Alvarado, Josh Okogie and Thaddeus Young – are on NBA rosters as the 2023-24 season begins … Okogie has strong opening night for Suns … Alvarado out two more weeks … Ben Lammers’ team in Spain is undefeated … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
JOSH OKOGIE STRONG OPENING NIGHT FOR SUNS
Josh Okogie, made a clutch three-pointer and scored 17 points to help the Phoenix Suns defeat the Golden State Warriors 108-104 on opening night at the Chase Centre in San Fransisco on Wednesday.
With the absence of newly acquired All-Star guard Bradley Beal, Okogie was handed a place in the starting lineup alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic and Greyson Allen.
The Suns needed a win to start the season on a bright note and Okogie, in 32 minutes on the court, stood out as one of the best players on the night with his end-to-end hustle, also contributing 17 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Booker had a game-high 32 points eight assists and six rebounds. Durant recorded a double-double scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists while Nurkic also produced a double-double in the win, contributing 14 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.
Josh Okogie was everywhere. He did everything.
He won the Suns this basketball game. pic.twitter.com/2NecfrFxq5
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) October 25, 2023
*****
OKOGIE DRAWS FIRST FLOPPING FINE FROM NBA
It didn’t take the Phoenix Suns’ Josh Okogie long to pick up a fine in the 2023-24 NBA season.
The guard was fined $2,000 for flopping following an official league review for his actions during the waning minutes of the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Tuesday night.
The Suns were on a break around the 3:30 mark of the fourth quarter and Okogie was filling the middle of the court.
He took a light, two-handed shove from Warriors center Kevon Looney, who was coming down to play defense. Okogie fell to the ground.
A video of it can be found online. The Suns’ guard was the only player fined following opening night, according to the NBA league office.
Josh Okogie was assessed a postgame flopping fine of $2,000 on this play from last night’s Suns-Warriors game, per @NBAOfficial.pic.twitter.com/NVQWMtINO5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 25, 2023
*****
JOSE ALVARADO MEDICAL UPDATE
From NBA.com
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, who suffered a right ankle sprain during an offseason workout, recently reported discomfort in his injured ankle during his return to play program. He was re-evaluated yesterday by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Alvarado will continue his rehabilitation program and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
“Be in the conversation with sixth man of the year.”
Jose Alvarado shares his goal for this upcoming season
Hear more from Pelicans Camp⤵️https://t.co/XWDtRPGPGX@PelicansNBA | @NBA | @SiriusXMSports pic.twitter.com/10edzdpBq4
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 21, 2023
*****
BEN LAMMERS’ NEW SPANISH TEAM UNDEFEATED
Gran Canaria, the reigning champion of EuroCup, comfortably secured another victory, defeating JL Boug en Bresse with a final score of 84 – 76.
Despite easing up a bit towards the end, they maintained their unbeaten streak after four rounds into the season.
Alongside Paris Basketball, who managed to escape the challenge from the London Lions on Tuesday (24/10), Gran Canaria stands as the only team with a perfect 4-0 record.
Ben Lammers played a pivotal role in Gran Canaria’s success, contributing 17 points and seven rebounds.
🔥 ¡Victoria para seguir líderes de nuestro grupo en la BKT Eurocup!
▪ @ElaboradoAqui te trae el TOP 5 del encuentro de ayer con Ben Lammers como gran protagonista.
🇮🇨 #VamosGranca | #ElaboradoAquí pic.twitter.com/mX0IxFw1h7
— Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) October 26, 2023
#ProJackets on Social Media
CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, EJ Liddell, and Jordan Hawkins make a surprise Halloween visit to Ochsner where they visited the kids and passed out candy 🎃
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 21, 2023
#21
Thaddeus Young pic.twitter.com/LNVp3P2Q59— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 23, 2023
The NBA is Back!
TNT Opening night. #PlayersOnlyBaby 📺🏀🙏👍🏾 pic.twitter.com/KdEuz441T1— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) October 23, 2023
Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, plays pro in Spain) could not help Bilbao (4-0) in their game last Sunday. Despite his very good performance Bilbao was defeated 91-82 on the road by the second-ranked Barca. Smith was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 3 passes in 29 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Smith has relatively good stats this year 15.0ppg, 1.2rpg and 2.8apg.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays in Spain) was not able to help Gran Canaria (2-2) in their last game. Despite Lammers’ good performance Gran Canaria lost 73-83 at home to the second-ranked Barca. He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Lammers also added 7 rebounds. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It’s Lammers’ first year with the team. This season he averages 9.3ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.7apg in six games he played so far.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, currently in Serbia), who plays in Serbia was not able to secure a victory for Borac CA (2-2) in their game last Friday. Despite his good performance Borac CA was defeated 75-61 on the opponent’s court by the lower-ranked Split (#10). Franklin recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 4 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals in 36 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Franklin has relatively good stats this season 12.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.0apg and 2.3spg.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, plays pro in Greece) managed to help GS Lavrio Aegean Cargo in a 3-point victory against the eighth-ranked Kolossos HH (1-2) 79-76 in the Greek GBL on Monday night. Moore scored only 2 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. GS Lavrio Aegean Cargo (2-0) is placed third in the GBL. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Moore has relatively good stats this year 10.5ppg, 8.5rpg and 2.0apg in two games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays in Australia) couldn’t help Perth Wildcats (2-4) in their game against Adelaide 36ers (2-5) in the Australian NBL. Despite his good performance in Saturday night’s game Usher recorded 11 points in 29 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Usher has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 17.5ppg and 3.5rpg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) couldn’t help Obera in their game against Ferro in the Argentinian La Liga, despite his very good performance last Thursday. He had a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 10 rebounds. But his team lost 89-96. Mitchell has very impressive stats this year 15.5ppg and 7.8rpg in four games.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, plays pro in Turkey) contributed to Sigortam.net’s victory against the 12th-ranked TED Ankara 84-78 in the Turkish TBL (second division) on Sunday night. Gueye recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 4 assists in 30 minutes. Gueye has relatively good stats this season 11.3ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3spg.
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10, plays in Mexico) contributed to a Plateros de Fresnillo’s victory against the third-ranked Santos 88-75 in the Mexican LNBP (second division) in Friday night’s game. He scored 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. This year Lawal averages 8.8ppg and 6.3rpg in 22 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) signed for Utah Jazz in the NBA
- 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
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) signed for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) signed for Boston Celtics in the NBA
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17) signed for Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Power in the Big3
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21) played for Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnamese VBA
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
