THE FLATS – Josh Okogie lauded for the intangibles he brings to the Suns, has player option for 2024-25 … Marcus Georges-Hunt helps Kuwait Club defend Gulf League title … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
OKOGIE LAUDED FOR INTANGIBLES
He was someone who, when he re-signed with the Suns this past off-season, I believed was one of their low-key great signings. He had just come off of a campaign that should have seen him get paid. But he chose to stay in Phoenix. Surely his re-addition would equate to changing the narrative around a poorly constructed bench.
With an injured Bradley Beal at the beginning of the season, Okogie started in 8 of his first 18 appearances. He was impactful for a team that was trying to find its way. He averaged 6.9 points in those first 18 games, and even though his three-point shooting was poor (27%), he provided energy and defensive identity in the 21.7 minutes that he played.
He positively affected the team’s attitude while on the court, but his productivity couldn’t be measured with standardized metrics. Because if you did, it was an easy argument as to why his playing time dwindled as the season progressed.
Josh is an intangibles guy. If you delve into statistics, you’ll quickly start looking around the locker room for other players to put in his place. It’s hard to quantify what he brings as his greatest strengths are his attitude and effort.
There is a reason his nickname is Mr. Non Stop. Like that furry little bunny with a battery pack on its back, he keeps going and going. He is tenacious in the way he defends, although he is not an elite defender. He maximizes his talents with effort, engagement, and give-a-shit. If only his teammates would emulate these traits…
More from Bright Side of the Sun
From Valley of the Sun – “Okogie has a player option for this season, and it just makes sense for him to return to The Valley. Given the unfortunate situation the Suns find themselves in with a lack of depth, he’s more likely to get a chance to prove himself again there than anywhere else in the league. Better to pick up just under $3 million to do just that, and figure out his next move a year from now.”
Josh Okogie this season:
🏀108.1 OFF RTG
🏀107.4 DEF RTG
🏀0.7 NET RTG
🏀17.4 3PT%The three-point shooting has waned, just like the beginning of last season. But he is still an impact player. pic.twitter.com/964q9nfnC4
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) November 13, 2023
GEORGES-HUNT AND KUWAIT CLUB SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND WASL-GULF LEAGUE TITLE
Delivering solidly as well in the win were the usual suspects led by Marcus Georges-Hunt, who produced 19 points, spiked by a pair of triples, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. The seasoned winger already had 13 points in the first quarter alone to help his side to a 33-22 start.
Joe Young finished with 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists as the newcomer led the fourth-quarter reversal to eventually score a back-to-back in the Sub-Zone League.
Hasan Bros. Hamad and Moh scored 16 and 13, respectively, while Cady Lalanne added 10 points as the reigning Kuwaiti Division 1 Basketball League champions got back on the team that beat them in the inaugural FIBA WASL Final.
Kuwait Club and Manama are two of the three Gulf League teams bound for the FIBA WASL Final 8. The other are sub-zone third-placers Kazma from Kuwait as well.
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
So Foolish 😆😅🥹 pic.twitter.com/z5XbEqf3an
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) May 6, 2024
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April 30, 1989: Classic Cavs🏀#LetEmKnow 96-88 win ties-up series w/ #SeeRed
Ron Harper: Cavs playoff record 31 pts (outplays MJ’s 30).
Mark Price: 3rd in #NBA history w/ 50% FG + 90% FT season (“Magic, Bird & Mark Price”)#TeamOfThe90s 💪pic.twitter.com/M3apJql7dN
— Mr. Cleveland Sports (@MrCleveland_216) April 30, 2024
April 30, 1992:
The Cavs defeated the Nets 98-89 to advance, 3-1.
This remains the last non-LeBron playoff series won by the franchise.
CC: @Mark25Price | @BradDaugherty43 pic.twitter.com/INakFzcR87
— Across The Cavs (@AcrossCavs) April 30, 2024
Georgia Tech Eurobasket Report
Yellow Jackets currently playing pro basketball
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10, plays pro in Colombia) led Bucaros de Bucaramanga to a victory against one of league’s weakest teams Corsarios (0-4) 99-89 in the Colombian Liga Wplay on Monday night. He scored 18 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 25 minutes. Bucaros de Bucaramanga (3-1) is placed second in the Liga Wplay. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. The Regular Season already ended. Lawal has relatively good stats this season 13.0ppg, 10.0rpg and 1.8apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays in Estonia) contributed to an easy victory against one of league’s weakest teams Keila (0-14) crushing them 87-67 in the Estonian KML in Thursday night’s game. He scored 15 points and added 5 assists. Parnu Sadam (1-0) is placed fourth in the KML. It’s Alston’s first season with the team. This year Alston averages 6.1ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.1apg in seven games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, currently in Spain), who plays in the Spanish Liga Endesa could not help Draemland Gran Canaria (10-20) to beat FC Barcelona (22-10). Lammers scored 5 points in 16 minutes. Draemland Gran Canaria was defeated 95-89 on the road by the much higher-ranked FC Barcelona (#3). There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season Lammers averages 7.4ppg, 3.6rpg and 1.2bpg.
Moses Wright (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-21, plays pro in Greece) managed to help Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus in a victory against the closely-ranked FC Barcelona (22-12) 63-59 in the Euroleague on Wednesday night. Wright scored only 2 points. Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (22-12) is placed fifth in the Euroleague. It was his team’s fourth consecutive victory in a row. This year Wright averages 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.1spg in 15 games.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, plays in Kuwait) was the major contributor in Kuwait’s victory against the league leader Al-Manama (6-0) 99-92 in the West Asia Super League in Monday night’s game. Georges-Hunt scored 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 30 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Al Kuwait SC (4-2) is placed first in the West Asia Super League. Georges-Hunt has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 15.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.3apg and 1.4spg. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, currently in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the leader San-en NP 91-74 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday. Schafer scored 6 points. This year Schafer averages 3.0ppg and 3.3rpg in 25 games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays pro in Belgium) contributed to a Spirou Basket Charleroi’s victory against the sixth-ranked Den Bosch 77-69 in the BNXT League on Wednesday night. He recorded only 2 points in 9 minutes on the court. This season Heath averages 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg and 1.2spg.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, plays in Turkey) helped Sigortam.net win their game against the sixth-ranked Final Spor 78-60 in the Turkish TBL (second division) in Wednesday night’s game. Gueye recorded 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Gueye has relatively good stats this year 11.3ppg, 6.7rpg and 1.6apg in 37 games.
Other former Georgia Tech alumni who play in pro basketball:
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) plays for Surne Bilbao Basket in Spanish Liga Endesa
- 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
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) plays for Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22) plays for Lavrio in Greek GBL
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22) plays for Perth Wildcats in Australian NBL
- Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23) plays for Borac CA in Serbian KLS
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) plays for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Chihuahua Dorados in Mexican LBE
The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
