THE FLATS – Thaddeus Young traded from Raptors, now finalizing deal to join Phoenix Suns … Marcus Georges-Hunt starring for Kuwait … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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REPORT: YOUNG FINALIZING DEAL TO JOIN THE SUNS
From ESPN.com: Free agent forward Thaddeus Young is finalizing a deal to sign with the Phoenix Suns for the rest of the season, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Young brings a mature and able presence to the Suns’ bench for the stretch and playoff runs this season. After spending the past two-plus seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Young landed with Brooklyn in a trade deadline deal before getting waived and becoming a free agent.
Phoenix needs the bench help on a top-heavy roster built around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Young, 35, averaged five points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 15 minutes a game for the Raptors this season.
Young has played 18 seasons, including stops with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and Toronto. He has averaged 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 1,162 regular-season games.
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The 35-year-old was a rotation piece lately for the lowly Raptors. He’s long been linked to the Suns in their various iterations because he’s a ball-mover who can take a dribble or two and make the correct pass.
Young has averaged 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 14.7 minutes over 54 games (nine starts).
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward is shooting an efficient 62% this year.
Free agent F Thaddeus Young is finalizing a deal to join the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. More veteran, frontline depth for the Suns’ stretch and playoff run. Young has spent the past two-plus seasons with the Toronto Raptors. pic.twitter.com/Ilyq2leTx2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2024
Thaddeus Young gives the Suns’ frontcourt rotation another capable passer to facilitate movement. It needs to improve with that unit and a small-ball 5 picking up where Nurkic left off could help. pic.twitter.com/qYBnYBVJrG
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 13, 2024
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GEORGES-HUNT LIFTS KUWAIT TO FIBA WASL-GULF LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
Kuwait Club are headed to where they wanted to be, after all.
The reigning Gulf League champions secured the remaining ticket to the sub-zone Semi-Finals by giving the upset-hungry Al-Ahli Jeddah the boot, 91-83, to cap off their FIBA WASL Season 2 Group Phase run, Monday night at the Shaikh Saad Alabdullah Sport Hall Complex.
Marcus Georges-Hunt and Turki Alshemmari led the way in the endgame to lift the home team from a 74-73 deficit with 5:27 left, leaning on vast experience to eventually get the monkey off their back after suffering successive losses to Muharraq and Al Rayyan.
Now they are headed to the Gulf League Semis for the second season in a row
Georges-Hunt produced 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, and a block each for a full line as well.
#ProJackets on Social Media
That was a fun night! #3PointChamp #BackToBack https://t.co/mbVZjQrKaD
— Mark Price (@Mark25Price) February 12, 2024
The Day I committed to @GTMBB 1989 I forget the date my moms and coach Jack Curran #rip it was great day!!!! pic.twitter.com/iwklUIo2jc
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) February 12, 2024
Royce O’Neale and Josh Okogie defending very well at the top of the key. pic.twitter.com/kFdAQNu1AI
— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) February 14, 2024
Josh Okogie: Everything Everywhere all at Once pic.twitter.com/SPgAYFkE5E
— Cage (@ridiculouscage) February 14, 2024
BRING BACK DERRICK FAVORS FOR THE VIBES pic.twitter.com/sgwwTyxyPs
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) February 12, 2024
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#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
Georgia Tech Eurobasket Report
Yellow Jackets currently playing pro basketball
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Spain) could not help Draemland Gran Canaria (4-16) in their game last Saturday. Despite his good performance Draemland Gran Canaria was crushed82-58 on the road by the league outsider Zunder Palencia (#18). Lammers was the top scorer with 14 points. He also added 2 shots in a mere 19 minutes. This season Lammers averages 8.2ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.2bpg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-21, plays in Greece) contributed to Olympiacos’ victory against one of league’s weakest teams Maroussi (5-13) 93-87 in the Greek GBL in Sunday night’s game. Wright scored 9 points. Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (11-1) is placed second in the GBL. It was his team’s eighth consecutive victory in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Wright has relatively good stats this year 12.5ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.5apg in two games he played so far.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16, currently in Spain) was the major contributor in a Surne Bilbao Basket’s victory against the sixth-ranked Valencia (13-9) 93-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa last Sunday. Smith recorded 14 points and added 3 passes in 21 minutes. Surne Bilbao Basket (17-1) is placed first in the Liga Endesa. It was his team’s 11th consecutive victory in a row. Smith has relatively good stats this season 11.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays pro in Australia) led Perth Wildcats to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Cairns Taipans (12-16) crushing them 117-88 in the Australian NBL on Saturday night. Usher recorded 18 points and grabbed 4 rebounds; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. Perth Wildcats (9-10) are placed sixth in the NBL. Usher’s team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial. It’s Usher’s first year with the team. He has relatively good stats this season 13.0ppg, 3.5rpg and 1.3apg in 27 games.
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23, plays in Serbia) was not able to help Borac CA in their game against SC Derby (10-10) in the ABA League. Despite his very good performance in Sunday night’s game He recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 11 rebounds in 40 minutes. Franklin has relatively good stats this season 10.8ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.2spg.
Joseh Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16, currently in the NBA) contributed to a New Orleans Pelicans’ victory against the Memphis Grizzlies 96-87 in the NBA last Monday. Alvarado scored 10 points. This year Alvarado averages 6.9ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.8apg and 1.1spg in 37 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, plays pro in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Phoenix Suns in their game against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He scored 8 points in only 11 minutes. His team were edged 113-112 in the NBA. This season Okogie averages 5.0ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.1apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays in Belgium) helped his Belgian team Spirou Basket Charleroi win their game against the ninth-ranked Belfius Mons-Hainaut 90-84 in the BNXT League in Saturday night’s game. He scored 10 points and added 7 assists (went 6 for 6 at the free throw line). This year Heath averages 7.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.2apg and 1.2spg in 20 games.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, currently in Georgia) led TSMU to a victory over the closely-ranked Vera 85-75 in a derby game in the Georgian A League (second division) last Sunday. Alston was MVP of the game. He recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 41 minutes. Alston has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 18.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.0apg and 1.5spg.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, plays pro in Kuwait) helped his Kuwaiti team Kuwait win their game against the closely-ranked Al Ahli 91-83 in the West Asia Super League on Monday night. He scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Georges-Hunt has relatively good stats this year 13.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.8apg and 1.2spg in five games. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Other former Georgia Tech alumni who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) plays for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) plays for Maine Celtics in the NBA G League
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22) plays for Lavrio in Greek GBL
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994, played in 2014-18) played for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA last year
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Plateros de Fresnillo in Mexican LNBP
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) plays for Sigortam.net in Turkish TBL
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992, played in 2013-13) played for Nhatrang Dolphins in Vietnamese VBA last year
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) played for Power in the Big3 last year
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
