THE FLATS – Josh Okogie and Karl Anthony-Towns are the only two Timberwolves left from the 2018 roster … Derrick Favors anchoring Pelicans’ turnaround … Chris Bosh is bothered by not making it into the Basketball Hall of Fame … That and more in this edition of the Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report.
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From Fox Sports North: In the short 19 months Josh Okogie has been a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, he has already had two different head coaches, been part of two significant franchise-altering trades and has had 30 different teammates. In fact, Okogie and perennial NBA All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns are the only remains of the 2018 Wolves’ roster.
“The fun part is me trying to readjust to the team that I’ve stayed on,” laughed Okogie while at the recent All-Star weekend, where he played in the Rising Stars game. “I think it’s kind of weird, I tell everybody all the time it felt like I got traded, too, because I’m in a whole new team as well. Like I said, the fun part is trying to readjust and to just learn about the guys and try and get used to them.”
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From the Pelican Debrief: The New Orleans Pelicans have rallied around their soft-spoken center, whose veteran presence has helped the young team through some tough times. Walk into any New Orleans Pelicans’ practice and you may not even know Derrick Favors is there. If not for his 6’10, 265 pound frame he would get lost in the sea of chatter and joke telling among his teammates. Coach Alvin Gentry joked in January that Favors had only spoken his 31st and 32nd word to him since the team acquired the center via trade back in July, but Favors presence has been felt by the young New Orleans Pelicans.
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From USA Today: Chris Bosh is not hiding his frustration about not being a finalist for this year’s enshrinement class for the Basketball Hall of Fame. The former Miami and Toronto forward released a video statement on social media Tuesday, using some version of the word disappoint — be it “disappointed,” “disappointment” or “disappointing” — no fewer than 15 times in 5 minutes.
Bosh was a surprising omission last week from the class of eight finalists announced by the Hall as still being under consideration for enshrinement this year, a list that included contemporary players Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. The class of inductees will be revealed in Atlanta on April 4 at the men’s college basketball Final Four, and the Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony is in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Aug. 29.
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Point guard Adam Smith (185-77kg-92, college: Georgia Tech) left PAOK Thessaloniki (A1). In 18 games , the 27-year-old recorded very impressive stats: 16.3ppg, 2.1rpg and 1.9apg this season. He also played 14 games in where he averaged remarkable 17.4ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.9apg. The last season Smith played at Basket Ravenna Piero Manetti (Serie A) in Italian league. In 33 games he had high stats: 24.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.9apg and 1.1spg. Great season indeed as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie A2 Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week. The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie A2 Player of the Year and Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie A2 Import Player of the Year back in 2017. Smith has played also professionally in France (Chalon/Saor), Turkey (Socar Petkim) and Italy (Orlandina Basket Capo d’Orlando and Orzinuovi).
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, on Derrick Favors: “He is the most low-maintenance guy I’ve ever coached in my life!” pic.twitter.com/KjfwiWF7g8
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) January 6, 2020
“They always were there for me when I needed advice, and led me in the right direction.”
Watch as @yungsmoove21 talks about his heroes in honor of Black History Month #BlackRoyalty
📹 Presented by @CrownRoyal: pic.twitter.com/DOOCRiJenk
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 23, 2020
Thad loves the kids ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvt69OpzMg
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) February 27, 2020
#NBARisingStars World Team’s @CallMe_NonStop arrives to Chicago in Air Force 1 Low Off-White MCA University! #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/WbRNoIoi85
— 🏀 #NBAKicks 👟 (@NBAKicks) February 13, 2020
GEORGIA TECH NBA UPDATE
#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 Alumni in Pro Basketball
Source: Eurobasket.com
#1. Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in Turkey) could not help Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (6-14) in their game last Wednesday. Despite his very good performance Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul was edged77-76on the road by the much higher-ranked Tofas (#3). Golden was the top scorer with 29 points. He also added 5 rebounds and dished 9 assists in 34 minutes. Golden has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages 22.6ppg, 4.2rpg and 7.5apg.
#2. Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88, graduated ’07, plays in the NBA) led Chicago Bulls to a victory against the Washington Wizards (21-37) 126-117 in the NBA in Sunday night’s game. He scored 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Chicago Bulls have not so impressive 20-39 record this season. It’s Young’s first year with the team. Young has relatively good stats this year 10.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.7apg and 1.3spg in 58 games he played so far.
#3. Experienced Jarrett Jack (6’3”-PG-83, graduated ’05, currently in the NBA G League), who plays in the NBA G League was not able to help the Sioux Falls Skyforce (20-20) in their game last Friday. Despite his very good performance the Sioux Falls Skyforce (#2) was defeated125-117in Frisco by the Texas Legends. Jack was the top scorer with 32 points. He also added 8 boards, handed out 7 passes and blocked 2 shots in 33 minutes. Jack has relatively good stats this season 14.8ppg, 3.3rpg and 5.0apg.
#4. Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays pro in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-41) in their last game. Despite his good performance the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-41) lost136-125in Orlando to the Magic. Okogie scored 14 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 4 assists; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only his second season in pro basketball. Okogie has relatively good stats this year 8.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.6apg and 1.1spg in 56 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
#5. Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, plays in the NBA) managed to help New Orleans Pelicans to win against the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-42) 116-104 in the NBA in Friday night’s game. He scored 5 points, grabbed 15 boards, handed out 3 passes and blocked 2 shots in 24 minutes. The New Orleans Pelicans have 25-34 record this season. Favors has relatively good stats this year 9.2ppg, 9.9rpg and 1.8apg.
#6. Tony Akins (5’11”-G-80, graduated ’02, currently in South Korea) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked KT Sonicboom crushing them 95-74 in the South Korean KBL last Thursday. He scored 7 points and added 5 passes. This year Akins averages 3.6ppg, 1.4rpg and 2.0apg in 29 games. He is a naturalized South Korean.
#7. Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help Sendai 89ers in their game against Nishinomiya Storks in the Japanese B2 League. He scored 8 points, grabbed 14 boards, dished 4 assists and stole 3 balls in 35 minutes. His team were edged 71-68. Miller has relatively good stats this season 14.1ppg, 11.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.6bpg and 1.3spg.
#8. Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, plays in Japan) contributed to an easy victory against the third-ranked Cyberdyne Ibaraki Robots 85-68 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night’s game. McHenry scored 14 points, grabbed 5 boards, handed out 5 passes and blocked 3 shots. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 14.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 5.8apg, 1.1bpg and 1.6spg in 35 games.
#9. Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94, graduated ’19, currently in Turkey) couldn’t help Final Spor in their game against Fethiye in the Turkish TBL (second division). Despite his very good performance on Saturday night Gueye scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 32 minutes. Gueye has relatively good stats this season 13.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.4bpg and 1.1spg.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for RETAbet BB in Spanish Liga Endesa
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) plays for Polski Cukier Torun in Polish EBL
Zachery Peacock (6’8”-C-87) plays for JL Bourg Basket in French Jeep ELITE ProA
James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Ural Ekaterinburg in Russian Superleague 1
Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-90) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA few monts ago
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92) plays for PAOK in Greek A1
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-94) plays for Guangzhou Long-Lions in Chinese CBA
Jeremis Smith (6’8”-F-86) played for Bigua in Uruguayan LUB last year
Joshua Heath (6’2”-PG-94) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Euromillions League
Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-94) played for Sentjur in Slovenian Liga Nova KBM last year
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88) plays for Fukuoka Rizing in Japanese B2 League
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98) plays for Shiga L-Stars in Japanese B1 League
Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) plays for NH Ostrava in Czech Republic NBL
Quinton Stephens (6’9”-F-95) played for Leyma Basquet Coruna in Spanish LEB Gold last year
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) plays for Team Ehingen Urspring in German ProA
Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) plays for West Adelaide Bearcats in Australian Premier League
Lewis Clinch (6’3”-G-87) played for Grindavik in Icelandic Dominos League last year
Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-G/F-91) plays for Al Fateh in Saudi Arabian SBL
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93) plays for Bank of Taiwan in Taiwanese SBL
Anthony Morrow (6’5”-G-85) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
Dion Glover (6’5”-G-78) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-83) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
