Front page and top photo courtesy of the NBA via Getty Images
THE FLATS – Phoenix baby is named for former Georgia Tech star Josh Okogie … Jose Alvarado returns to the court in New Orleans … Chris Bosh performs in Austin production of the “Nutcracker” … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
PHOENIX BABY NAMED AFTER JOSH OKOGIE
From ESPN.com: Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie had a heartwarming moment on Friday when he met a baby named after him by two dedicated Suns fans.
Okogie posed with baby Josh pregame and cradled him with the couple standing nearby. Scott Kolmer, the baby’s father, posted about the interaction on X. He also offered background regarding the toddler’s name.
Kolmer revealed that when the couple took their pregnancy announcement photos earlier in the year at a Suns game, Okogie signed their onesie, “Please name him Josh.” The couple had struggled to agree on a name. But once they read it, they realized they liked Josh.
It all came together on Friday with a pregame moment that included Okogie happily grabbing the Kolmers’ baby.
Okogie is averaging 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in a reserve role this season. He had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals with baby Josh in attendance.
Josh meets Josh! 🤝
When we took our pregnancy announcement photos at the @Suns game earlier this year, some of the players signed a onesie for our future little guy. Josh Okogie signed it and wrote “please name him Josh” 👀 pic.twitter.com/mZBrRrUnXC— Scott Kolmer (@ScottKolmer) December 28, 2024
JOSE ALVARADO RETURNS FROM INJURY
From CBS Sports: Jose Alvarado (hamstring) posted five points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three assists, three steals and two rebounds across 20 minutes Friday in the Pelicans‘ 132-120 win over the Wizards.
Alvarado was on a restriction in his return from a 23-game absence due to a left hamstring strain, but the 20 minutes he ended up receiving is probably a good approximation of what he’ll get in most games when the Pelicans’ usual backcourt starters (Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum) are available. While Alvarado should be a good source of assists, steals and three-pointers on a per-minute basis, he won’t have much appeal outside of deeper leagues now that the Pelicans are healthier in the backcourt.
“I will be playing tomorrow for sure. No doubt and I’m excited just to put the jersey back on and go out there and go hoop,” Alvarado, who is officially listed as probable, said Thursday.
“It’s going to be a lot of crazy man out there again. I hope the city missed that. So, they’re gonna get that for sure tomorrow.”
Alvarado, 26, is in his fourth NBA season. He has played in 11 games with seven starts this season, averaging 10.7 points, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
He last played Nov. 11 against Brooklyn.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado speaks with the media following Pelicans practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on January 2, 2025.
Jose Alvarado gets welcomed back by the home crowd pic.twitter.com/wJTYnxVDDQ
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) January 4, 2025
BOSH GUEST-STARS IN BALLET AUSTIN’S “NUTCRACKER”
From CBS Austin: NBA Hall-of-Famer Chris Bosh is 6-foot-11, but Ballet Austin made him even taller over the weekend.
Bosh made a special appearance as “Mother Ginger” in the ballet’s 62nd annual production of “The Nutcracker.”
Local icons fill this walk-on role to celebrate the Austin community every year.
NBA legend Chris Bosh guest-stars as Mother Ginger in Ballet Austin’s ‘The Nutcracker’ https://t.co/Bu5XsDjJpl
— Walt Maciborski (@waltmac) December 19, 2024
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
🔥 TOP 100 PLAYS of last 25 YEARS 🔥
At No. 1…
If Chris Bosh didn’t grab this board,
And didn’t find Ray Allen,
Who didn’t practice every shot
Tirelessly for his entire career,
And in turn didn’t make this one,
How different would NBA history be?We’ll never know! https://t.co/9JzabmV1e8 pic.twitter.com/sJXcQEXoKS
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2024
Save us Josh Okogie @CallMe_NonStop #Suns pic.twitter.com/d5H9WYbmKN
— Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) January 7, 2025
“My teammates have been great in finding me in stride, in transition when I’m open on the corner. It’s a credit to them.” Josh Okogie.
Avg. 10 points on 8-of-15 FGs in Suns last two games.
On Ryan Dunn finding him for 3 in Tuesday loss to Memphis: “Good pass by Ryan.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/pyB6rN1QBd
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 2, 2025
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EuroBasket #ProJackets Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
- Moses Wright (6’10”-C-1998, played in 2017-21, plays pro in Greece)
- Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays in France)
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18, currently in the NBA Phoenix Suns)
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22, plays pro in Germany)
- Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, plays in France)
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, currently in Belgium)
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, plays pro in Turkey)
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19, plays in Portugal)
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20, currently in Greece)
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Spain)
Other former Georgia Tech players who play in pro basketball:
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-21) plays for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) signed for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F/C-1998, played in 2023-23) signed for Windrose Giants Antwerp in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- Avi Schafer (6’9”-F/C-1998, played in 2017-19) plays for SeaHorses Mikawa in Japanese B1 League
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Cocodrilos in Venezuelan SPB
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16) plays for Sichuan Blue Whales in Chinese CBA
- Rodney Howard (6’11”-F, played in 2020-23) plays for Craiova in Romanian Liga Nationala
- 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 Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexican LNBP
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Toros Del Valle in Colombian Liga WPlay
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
