THE FLATS – Three former Yellow Jackets – Jose Alvarado, Josh Okogie and Thaddeus Young – begin play in the first NBA in-season tournament this weekend … Okogie eyes spot on the NBA’s all-defensive team … James Banks III signs exhibit 10 deal with Celtics … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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JOSH OKOGIE EYES SPOT ON NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Another player who has had some nice moments early in the season for the Suns is Josh Okogie, and he is eyeing some recognition at the end of the campaign.
Speaking to Travis Booth during media availability on Saturday, Okogie mentioned how he wanted to be in consideration for the NBA’s All-Defensive team by year’s end. Doing that he believes, will also give the Suns a better chance at trying to win a championship, the ultimate goal for everybody on the roster.
Every player in the league has individual goals, but Okogie has started this season like a man on a mission. In the win over the Golden State Warriors to begin the campaign, he was huge on both ends of the court. Okogie chipped in with 17 points, and one huge 3-pointer late in the game to keep the Suns ahead.
Josh Okogie: “My goal, I want to be on the all-defensive team, or at least in consideration for one and just kind of be the defensive anchor for this team.
“Go further and win a championship this year..I’m going to play as hard as I can so we can get that done.” pic.twitter.com/CjoRbABPvb
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 28, 2023
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NBA’S FIRST IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT
The first NBA in-season tournament tips off Friday with group play and concludes Dec. 9 with the championship game. All 30 teams will participate in the group stage in three groups of five teams within each conference.
The groups were decided by a random draw in July.
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JAMES BANKS III SIGNS E-10 DEAL WITH CELTICS
The Boston Celtics signed James Banks III to an Exhibit 10 deal, sources told Keith Smith of Spotrac.
The team also signed-and-waived Reginald Kissoonlal, and waived D.J. Steward.
All three players are expected to join the Maine Celtics in the G League.
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Keep growing my son, keep working 💪🏾 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/PuL9RtRrDU
— THAD YOUNG (@yungsmoove21) October 27, 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 Surne Bilbao Basket (4-3) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Surne Bilbao Basket was edged94-93 on the road by the much lower-ranked (#12) Lenovo Tenerife. Smith was the top scorer with 19 points. He also added 4 assists in 34 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Smith has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 15.6ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.1spg in seven games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays in Spain) led his Spanish team Draemland Gran Canaria to a victory over the closely-ranked JL Bourg (3-1) 84-76 in the Eurocup last Wednesday. He was MVP of the game. Lammers recorded 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Draemland Gran Canaria (4-0) is placed first in the Eurocup. So far his team won all four games in the Regular Season. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It’s Lammers’ first year with the team. This season he averages 9.3ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.3apg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21, currently in China) was the main contributor in a Shanxi Loongs’ victory against one of league’s weakest teams Pioneers (1-3) 122-113 in the Chinese CBA on Wednesday night. He was MVP of the game. Wright had a double-double by scoring 37 points and getting 10 rebounds in 29 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his third season in pro basketball. Shanxi Loongs (1-3) are placed 14th in the CBA. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Wright’s first year with the team. Wright has very impressive stats this season 22.0ppg, 9.3rpg and 3.0apg in three games.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14, plays pro in China) was not able to help Sichuan Blue Whales 4) in their last game on Friday. Despite Golden’s very good performance the bottom-ranked Sichuan Blue Whales were crushed 138-107 in Beijing by the leading Ducks. He recorded a double-double by scoring 32 points and making 11 passes. Golden also added 5 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Golden has very high stats. He averages 28.3ppg, 5.0rpg and 8.0apg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays in the NBA) contributed to a Phoenix Suns’ victory against the Golden State Warriors (3-1) 108-104 in the NBA last Tuesday. He recorded 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. The Phoenix Suns have 2-1 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Okogie has very impressive stats this year 11.3ppg, 4.7rpg and 1.3apg in three games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, currently in Greece) helped Lavrio win their game against the seventh-ranked PAOK 86-76 in the Greek GBL on Sunday night. He recorded 6 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. This season Moore averages 8.5ppg, 7.0rpg and 2.3apg.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, plays pro in Serbia) was not able to secure a victory for Borac CA (2-3) in their last game. Despite Franklin’s good performance Borac CA lost 64-70 at home to the higher-ranked (#4) Igokea. He was the second best scorer with 10 points. Franklin also added 5 rebounds in 23 minutes. Franklin has relatively good stats this year 12.0ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.0apg and 2.4spg in five games.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) couldn’t help Spirou Basket Charleroi in their game against Limburg United in the BNXT League. Heath scored only 4 points and added 6 passes. His team was defeated 75-67. This season Heath averages 6.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.4apg and 1.2spg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) helped Obera win their game against the 14th-ranked Regatas 95-91 in the Argentinian La Liga on Sunday night. Mitchell had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. Mitchell has very impressive stats this year 15.6ppg, 8.2rpg and 1.2apg in five games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Australia) couldn’t help Perth Wildcats in their game against Bullets in the Australian NBL. Usher scored only 4 points. His team were defeated 84-79. This season Usher has very high stats. He averages 15.6ppg and 3.3rpg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- 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
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Toronto Raptors in the NBA
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) signed for Utah Jazz in the NBA
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) signed for Plateros de Fresnillo in Mexican LNBP
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Power in the Big3
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) plays for Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnamese VBA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) signed for Sigortam.net in Turkish TBL
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
