THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado returns to the court with the Pelicans … Josh Okogie fills in for injured players in Suns’ starting lineup … Thaddeus Young returns to Raptors after illness … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO RETURNS TO THE PELICANS
Jose Alvarado totaled 13 points (5-11 FG, 3-6 3PT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in the Pelicans’ 105-100 loss to the Jazz, putting up his second double-digit scoring performance this season. Although we all know what Alvarado can do when he is provided ample time on the floor, the team is dealing with a backcourt filled with several players with bits and pieces of what they are looking for in their starting rotation.
Across his first several games, it seems as though Alvarado has the comprehensive and well-rounded game the team could be looking for in their rotations to remain competitive late in games, but only time will tell. From a fantasy perspective, it could be worth prioritizing Alvarado over Jordan Hawkins, as he offers more consistency and production utility than the first-year talent. Depending on whether the team opts to start him or have him come off the bench, the usage and meaningfulness of Alvarado’s role could outmatch Hawkins’ explosive upside. He is certainly an asset to keep on your radar and could warrant roster consideration in season-long leagues. Given his price point and upside, he could be worth playing in daily formats as a last-piece add. Alvarado has a usage rate of 22.4 percent, a plus-minus of 4.0, and is averaging 18.1 minutes, 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 38.7 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.
From Fantasy Pros
Jose Alvarado steal leads to a Cody Zeller bucket pic.twitter.com/Rg5kj6APgh
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) November 26, 2023
The play Jose Alvarado hurt his ankle. Completely non-contact pic.twitter.com/LOAvHQHmrC
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) November 30, 2023
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OKOGIE FILLING IN FOR INJURED SUNS
Josh Okogie started Sunday’s game against the Knicks.
Okogie made his seventh start of the season due to Grayson Allen (illness) and Kevin Durant (foot) both being out. After starting Phoenix’s first five games of the year, Okogie has primary operated with a 15-20 minute workload off the bench, but he logged 28 minutes in Friday’s win over Memphis and will likely receive a similar workload Sunday.
Okogie recorded 12 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one block and one steal over 27 minutes during Wednesday’s 123-115 victory over the Warriors.
Okogie had totaled just six points over his last three appearances, but he saw an uptick in playing time Wednesday with Grayson Allen getting into some foul trouble. Okogie has come off the bench in nine of his last 10 appearances and has averaged 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game in that span.
JOSH OKOGIE THROWS IT DOWN 😤
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament pic.twitter.com/EMkPRvoJvp
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 24, 2023
The usual Josh Okogie contributions, single-handedly creating second-chance opportunities and points.
He’ll always have a spot in the rotation as long as he’s able to do this, even without the 3PT shot.pic.twitter.com/rgejZjNJG1
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) November 30, 2023
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YOUNG CLEARED TO SUIT UP
Thaddeus Young (illness) is available for Friday’s game against the Bulls, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Young has missed four straight games due to an illness but will be available off the bench Friday. However, the veteran has made just three appearances this season, totaling four points, three rebounds and three assists in 10 minutes.
From CBSSports.com
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Who is your favorite undrafted NBA player and why is it Jose Alvarado? @AlvaradoJose15 pic.twitter.com/Jxs2MyF5EE
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) November 30, 2023
Jose Alvarado > Jose Alvarado pic.twitter.com/bYVPgb9Rcy
— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) November 30, 2023
You had to be there to understand it. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE. Thaddeus Young era was unmatched. pic.twitter.com/xliHrZbuFU
— Tony Hawk (@skater_boy86) November 23, 2023
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Eurobasket #ProJackets Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Spain) contributed to a Draemland Gran Canaria’s victory against the 15th-ranked Zaragoza (3-7) 101-94 in the Spanish Liga Endesa on Saturday night. He recorded 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. Draemland Gran Canaria (6-4) is placed eighth in the Liga Endesa. It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. This year Lammers averages 9.3ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.4apg.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, plays in Serbia) led his Serbian team Borac CA to a victory over the tenth-ranked FMP BG (3-5) crushing them 96-75 in the ABA League in Saturday night’s game. Franklin was MVP of the game. He scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Franklin’s first season in pro basketball. KK Borac Cacak (4-4) is placed sixth in the ABA League. But the season just started, so everything may happen. Franklin has relatively good stats this year 13.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.5apg and 1.5spg in eight games he played so far.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, currently in the NBA) helped Phoenix Suns win their game against the Golden State Warriors (7-9) 123-115 in the NBA last Wednesday. Okogie scored 12 points in 28 minutes. The Phoenix Suns have 9-6 record this season. It was his team’s fifth consecutive victory in a row. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Okogie has relatively good stats this season 7.1ppg and 2.9rpg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16, plays pro in the NBA) helped New Orleans Pelicans win their game against the Sacramento Kings (8-6) 117-112 in the NBA on Wednesday night. He scored 10 points and had 3 steals. The New Orleans Pelicans have 8-7 record this season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Alvarado has relatively good stats this year 7.5ppg, 2.5apg and 1.5spg in two games.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, plays in Greece) could not help Lavrio (3-4) in their game last Saturday. Despite his good performance Lavrio was edged89-87 on the road by the higher-ranked Peristeri (#5). Moore recorded 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 35 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Moore’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season 10.7ppg, 7.6rpg and 1.6apg.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, currently in Spain) was not able to help Surne Bilbao Basket in their game against Joventut in the Spanish Liga Endesa, despite his good performance on Sunday night. He recorded 10 points and had 3 steals. But his team was edged 81-78. Smith has relatively good stats this year 14.1ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg in 10 games.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Australia) helped Perth Wildcats win their game against the seventh-ranked Cairns Taipans 88-80 in the Australian NBL on Thursday night. Usher scored 10 points in 19 minutes. He has relatively good stats this season 13.4ppg and 2.8rpg.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) managed to help Spirou Basket Charleroi in a 2-point victory against the fourth-ranked Circus Brussels 63-61 in the BNXT League in Friday night’s game. He recorded only 2 points and added 3 passes. This year Heath averages 5.6ppg, 2.6rpg and 3.9apg in eight games.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16, currently in Argentina) was not able to secure a victory for Obera in their game against Quimsa in the Argentinian La Liga. Mitchell scored 5 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. His team was defeated 80-75. He has relatively good stats this season 14.1ppg and 8.5rpg.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, plays pro in Turkey) helped Sigortam.net edge the sixth-ranked Haremspor 73-71 in the Turkish TBL (second division) on Saturday night. He had a double-double by scoring 11 points and getting 12 rebounds. Gueye has relatively good stats this year 11.8ppg, 7.4rpg and 1.8apg in 12 games.
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
- 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
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Batumi in Georgian Superleague
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, played in 2017-21) signed for Shanxi Loongs in Chinese CBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) signed for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
- 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) plays for Kuwait in Kuwaiti D1
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994, played in 2014-18) played for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- 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
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
