THE FLATS – Phoenix Suns re-sign Josh Okogie for two years … Thaddeus Young among top five active NBA players in games played … Jose Alvarado pushes Puerto Rico back to Olympic for first time in 20 years … Moses Wright to return to Greece … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
JOSH OKOGIE GETS 2-YEAR DEAL WITH SUNS
Josh Okogie is young in terms of age, but the 25-year-old has played six NBA seasons.
He been part of three playoff teams in his last three seasons, but Okogie re-signed with the Phoenix Suns with the belief his seventh season can be better than any other.
“Not every year do you genuinely think you have a chance to compete for a championship,” Okogie said. “To be able to do that is a blessing, especially with a group that I was with last year, the last couple of years. We’ve gone through a lot of growing pains. To have a chance to finish the job together is special to me.”
Okogie declined a player option of $2.95 million, but he has returned to Phoenix on a two-year deal for $16 million with the second year non-guaranteed.
Okogie battled injuries in averaging just 4.6 points in 60 games (11 starts) after posting 7.3 points in his first season with the Suns. He’s one of the team’s best on-ball defenders, but Okogie has struggled from 3 as he shot 30.9% from deep last season after making a career-best 33.5% of them in 2022-23.
- More from AZ Central
- Josh Okogie re-signing with Suns pushes team payroll tax above $400 million (NBC Sports)
Keeping that energy in the Valley 🗣️@CallMe_NonStop is staying in Phoenix! pic.twitter.com/TKUitGraZM
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 13, 2024
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THADDEUS YOUNG AMONG TOP FIVE ACTIVE NBA PLAYERS IN GAMES PLAYED
To play in the NBA , the top tier of basketball in the world, players must possess otherworldly skills that outclass their peers. But to remain a staple in the league, players must be able to maintain that level of play consistently for years.
Despite possessing the skills necessary to survive in the NBA, many players are unable to stay consistent and replicate that success long-term, leading to the average career length for an NBA player being just 4.5 years.
But the league’s best players have cracked the code, possessing both the talent and consistency level necessary to survive and thrive in the league for numerous seasons. The following are five players who have played the most NBA games and are still active as of 2024.
Sitting at No. 4 behind LeBron James, Chris Paul and Jeff Green is Thaddeus Young, who has played 1,172 games in the NBA across 17 seasons. Selected 12th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2007, he played with them until 2014, when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves .
Young played two seasons for the Timberwolves before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Garnett, who wanted to finish his career in Minnesota. Young then played for the Indiana Pacers , Chicago Bulls , San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors , and finally, the Phoenix Suns, whom he signed within 2024.
Thaddeus Young is 36. One of the greatest graphics of all-time was created for the benefit of Thaddeus Young. pic.twitter.com/KeNuXLUi2N
— Hoops Maven (@HoopsMavenHM) June 21, 2024
PUERTO RICO BACK 20 YEARS AFTER STUNNING THE WORLD
The last time Puerto Rico made the Olympics, they became the first team to defeat the United States since NBA players were allowed to compete. Now they are back, and they get to face the USA once again.
Final score: Puerto Rico 92, USA 73. They became only the second team to defeat the United States in an Olympic game, following the Soviet Union (twice), but they were the first to do it against NBA players.
That was back in Athens, 20 years ago. Now, the two nations are back together in the same group in France in 2024.
There are plenty of stories about Puerto Rico’s guards, whether you’re a fan of Arroyo, Fico Lopez, JJ Barea, Gary Browne or, nowadays, Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters.
Alvarado finally joined the team this summer, and it paid off instantly. The 26-year-old guard led Puerto Rico to the top of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico, earning the TISSOT MVP award aside from the Olympic boarding pass.
MOSES WRIGHT TO RETURN TO GREECE IN 2024-25
We have passed a very important turning point in the European summer market. Today is July 16th and yesterday, in fact, the deadlines expired exit options to the NBA of some of the best players in Europe. Now we know for sure what Kendrick Nunn’s fate will be for next season, as well as that of Jabari Parker and Moses Wright.
Likewise Nunn and Parker, too Moses Wright he will not move to America next season. A center who arrived during the current season at Bartzokas’ court, the American had an excellent impact for the Reds during the playoffs. There was also one on his contract opt out clause towards the NBA, which however expired. Last season Wright averaged 8.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17 Euroleague games, and now Olympiacos can count on him for next season too.
Moses Wright exploding! #OlympiacosBC pic.twitter.com/CVHVghbemn
— Manolo77 (@ManoloAthan77) January 30, 2024
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Doing what he does 😤@mdevoe0 Summer League stats thus far ⤵️
15 PPG | 4.3 RPG | 3.3 APG | 57% FG | 50% 3P | 18-21 FT (86%) pic.twitter.com/AY5WKanC8m
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) July 18, 2024
Hit ♥️ if you want to see Jose Alvarado with 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico in #AmeriCup 2025! pic.twitter.com/kmgJciG1a5
— FIBA AmeriCup (@AmeriCup) July 13, 2024
#ProJackets overseas 🐝@Callmeush ➡️ @JLBourgBasket 🇫🇷
Ben Lammers ➡️ @morabancandorra 🇦🇩#StingEm pic.twitter.com/2PHGEGiwUT— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) July 12, 2024
Mark Price 🤝 Reed Sheppard https://t.co/0WnOvQZp0K pic.twitter.com/Lwd4XuNviC
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 15, 2024
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EuroBasket Pro Yellow Jackets Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Experienced Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10, plays pro in Colombia) could not help one of league’s weakest teams Toros Del Valle (11-15) in their game last Sunday. Despite his very good performance Toros Del Valle was defeated 84-78 on the road by the higher-ranked Bucaros (#4). Lawal scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 27 minutes. It was his first game for Toros Del Valle this season. Lawal is a naturalized Nigerian.
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20, plays in the NBA) contributed to a Charlotte Hornets’ surprising victory against the Sacramento Kings (3-3) 86-82 in the NBA Summer League in Tuesday night’s game. Banks III scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. The Charlotte Hornets have not so impressive 21-61 record this season. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA Summer League. This year Banks III averages 8.0ppg and 3.0rpg in two games he played so far.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Moses Wright (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-21) signed for Olympiacos in Greek GBL
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18) played for Draemland Gran Canaria in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22) signed for Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22) played for Maccabi Urban Ramat Gan in Israeli Winner League
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) played for Surne Bilbao Basket in Spanish Liga Endesa
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22) signed for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) played for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) played for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Parnu in Estonian KML
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19) played for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) played for Shabab Al Ahli in UAE ULB
- Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17) played for Spirou Basket Charleroi in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
- Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F-1998, played in 2023-23) played for Borac CA in Serbian KLS
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) played for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) played for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Chihuahua Dorados in Mexican LBE
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15) played for Sigortam.net in Turkish TBL
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Brillantes in Venezuelan SPB
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
