THE FLATS – Josh Okogie moves to the bench for the Suns … Jose Alvarado set to return to practice in 1-2 weeks … Jordan Usher being recruited by Greek team? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE MOVES TO BENCH FOR SUNS
Josh Okogie wasn’t in the starting five for Saturday’s game versus the 76ers.
Okogie was replaced by Keita Bates-Diop in the starting lineup Saturday. Okogie will come off the bench for the first time this season after scoring zero points in 12 minutes of action in his previous outing against the Spurs on Thursday.
From CBSSports.com
Josh Okogie on the court pic.twitter.com/xZW6c3cFsL
— Cage (@ridiculouscage) October 26, 2023
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ALVARADO SIDELINED ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO
The Pelicans announced Wednesday that Jose Alvarado (ankle) is expected to return to full team practice in 1-2 weeks.
Alvarado sprained his right ankle during an offseason workout but has progressed well. He’s been doing light on-court work recently, and it’s encouraging that he has a timetable for full participation in practice. He may be able to return to game action shortly after, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he faced some restrictions once he’s cleared to return.
From CBSSports.com
Here’s a high vibes Pelicans timeline cleanse pic.twitter.com/J5uVJfHKE6
— Pels Press (@PelsPress) November 7, 2023
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REPORTS USHER BEING RECRUITED BY GREEK TEAM DISMISSED
Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has dismissed speculation that Greek club Panathinaikos is attempting to recruit import Jordan Usher, saying it is nothing more than a rumour. European media reported Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman is keen to sign Usher as a replacement for injured former NBA big man Juan Hernangomez. (from The West Australian – subscription required)
Meanwhile, Bryce Cotton and Jordan Usher have found some much-needed form for the Perth Wildcats and the under-pressure home team responded to coughing up a 20-point lead to beat the Adelaide 36ers 99-88.
All the pressure was on the Wildcats for the battle with their old foes at RAC Arena on Saturday night after four consecutive losses.
Under-fire coach John Rillie mixed up his starting group, bringing in Hyrum Harris for opening night import hero Jordan Usher.
🚨🇬🇷Panathinaikos is interested in Jordan Usher. He is a SF and he plays in the Australian championship.#EuroLeague #Panathinaikos #Paobc #Eurolega #Usher #Pana pic.twitter.com/7I3p7wZiD0
— Andrea Calzoni (@andreacalzoni11) November 8, 2023
JORDAN USHER HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS ❄️ pic.twitter.com/jT2YSSRP9u
— NBL (@NBL) November 6, 2023
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Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14, plays pro in China) could not help the league outsider Sichuan Blue Whales (0-6) in their last game. Despite his very good performance the bottom-ranked Sichuan Blue Whales were edged109-106 on the road by the higher-ranked (#14) Monkey Kings. Golden was the top scorer with 42 points. He also added 6 passes in 41 minutes. So far Sichuan Blue Whales lost all six games in the Regular Season. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. It’s Golden’s first year with the team. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 32.3ppg, 4.2rpg and 7.3apg in six games he played so far.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, plays in Greece) was not able to help Lavrio (3-2) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance Lavrio was crushed100-73 in Patras by the higher-ranked Promitheas (#3). Moore was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 8 rebounds. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Moore averages 9.6ppg, 7.2rpg and 2.0apg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, currently in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Surne Bilbao Basket (6-0) in their game against Zaragoza (3-5) in the Spanish Liga Endesa, despite his very good performance in Saturday night’s game. Smith was the top scorer with 13 points in 28 minutes. But the league leader Surne Bilbao Basket lost 63-77 on the opponent’s court to the much lower-ranked (#15) Zaragoza. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Smith has very impressive stats this year 15.3ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg in eight games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Spain) contributed to a Draemland Gran Canaria’s victory against the eighth-ranked Lietkabelis (2-4) 88-77 in the Eurocup last Wednesday. Lammers scored 9 points and blocked 2 blocks. Draemland Gran Canaria (5-0) is placed first in the Eurocup. So far his team won all five games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This season Lammers averages 9.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2apg and 1.2bpg.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays in the NBA) helped Phoenix Suns win their game against the Detroit Pistons (2-6) 120-106 in the NBA on Sunday night. Okogie recorded 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 29 minutes. The Phoenix Suns have 3-4 record this season. It was his team’s first victory after three consecutive loses. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Okogie has relatively good stats this year 8.4ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.4apg in seven games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, currently in Serbia) couldn’t help Borac CA in their game against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in the ABA League. Despite his very good performance on Saturday night He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 10 rebounds. Franklin has relatively good stats this season 12.8ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.8apg and 2.0spg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Australia) was the major contributor in a Perth Wildcats’ victory against the closely-ranked Adelaide 36ers 99-88 in the Australian NBL last Saturday. Usher scored 17 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 22 minutes. Usher has very impressive stats this year 15.3ppg and 3.2rpg in nine games.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21, plays in China) couldn’t help Shanxi Loongs in their game against Heroes in the Chinese CBA. Wright scored 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. His team were edged 117-114. This season Wright has very high stats. He averages 15.4ppg, 7.8rpg and 1.8apg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) led Obera to a 3-point victory over the 11th-ranked La Union 83-80 in the Argentinian La Liga in Friday night’s game. He was MVP of the game. Mitchell had a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. Mitchell has very impressive stats this year 15.5ppg and 8.5rpg in six games.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays pro in Belgium) couldn’t help one of league’s weakest teams Spirou Basket Charleroi in their game against Kortrijk in the BNXT League. Heath cannot count Friday’s game as one of the best ones. He scored only 3 points. His team was defeated 77-71. This season Heath averages 6.2ppg, 2.8rpg and 3.8apg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- 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
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) signed for Utah Jazz 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
