THE FLATS – As with most professional and collegiate sports, the NBA suspended the 2019-20 season on March 12, and the G-League followed suit. Some professional leagues overseas continue to operate, and even China recalled players competing in its leagues.
This week’s #ProJackets Report compiles some of the latest news, stories and social media posts on former Yellow Jackets and their activities since the stoppage of play.
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Watch a great feature story here on former Georgia Tech guard Shaun Fein (1999-2001), currently head coach of the Long Island Nets team in the G-League, and his assistant coach Mike Babul, brother of another former Tech standout, Jon Babul. Fein, a teammate of Jon’s while at Tech, was a key member of the Jackets’ NCAA Tournament team in 2001 who canned a shot from the corner at the buzzer to defeat Kentucky in 2000 at Phillips arena.
A friendship that goes beyond basketball, Head Coach Shaun Fein and Assistant Coach Mike Babul have been friends for 20 years and that relationship and friendship has flourished on and off the court pic.twitter.com/1KLonWwAkh
— Long Island Nets (@LongIslandNets) April 4, 2020
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Josh Okogie Teaches Ball Handling as Part of Jr. NBA at Home: Minnesota Timberwolves’ Josh Okogie (Nigeria) is one of the most recent players to get involved with Jr. NBA at Home, a free interactive content series providing basketball skills and drills featuring NBA and WNBA players that can be completed individually and in limited space to inspire boys and girls around the world to stay active in a healthy and safe way, especially for those who are unable to play with friends and teammates, but still want to be active, work on their game and connect with the NBA family. Okogie shares a few ball handling drills that young people can try at home.
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From the Oklahoman: Nine-year NBA pro Anthony Morrow read a book to a group of first graders on Thursday, and after the virtual class came a question and answer session. A teacher asked Morrow which organization he most enjoyed playing for.
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Dan Favale of Bleacher Report ranks his five most underrated players in the NBA this past season, with Derrick Favors coming in at No. 2. “Not surprisingly, the Pelicans’ defense improves by 5.3 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, the second-highest swing among all their rotation players and one of the largest differentials in the league … Favors is the glue guy who helps hold everything and everyone together”
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The Chicago Sun-Times takes a deep look at the Bulls’ signing of Thaddeus Young last off-season and concludes that the former Tech star will be moved at some point.
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NBCSports.com takes a close look at the Minnesota Timberwolves and plans for the off-season and building a winning team round Karl-Anthony Towns and De’Angelo Russell, with Josh Okogie a key member of the roster.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿REAL HEROES 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 #WorldHealthDay https://t.co/NxurVYIQ6c
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 7, 2020
Stay active while indoors 🙌@CallMe_NonStop from the @timberwolves shows off a couple Ball Handling Drills you can do inside your home #JrNBAatHome #NBATogether pic.twitter.com/WSFMV5FsAf
— Jr. NBA (@jrnba) April 1, 2020
These 3 may seem new on the scene, but they don’t act like it. Let’s hear it for “The Bounty Hunters.” @GODRX, @Alexx1935, and Minnesota @Timberwolves hooper, Josh “@CallMe_NonStop” Okogie! They’ll be dropping into the #RokkrRoyale Warzone $40k for Charity together this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/MlxjCNvFKx
— Minnesota RØKKR (@ROKKR) April 3, 2020
Shoutout @BearDaBeast23 @1BigSaint @Joetjen23 for rocking that #20 jersey last night! Y’all already know I was tuned in! @TWolvesGaming pic.twitter.com/pGFmtSjMx9
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) April 2, 2020
Check out My first TikTok video! And follow me 🤗 https://t.co/EpVK18qr5s
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) March 27, 2020
Thaddeus young collection✨@yungsmoove21 @Mrs___Young21 pic.twitter.com/5UKYlphgZ9
— もてぃん (@1734164Nba) April 3, 2020
Ep. 108 | @yungsmoove21
Join @AlexGoldenNBA & @_Facci as they interview former Pacers PF Thad Young!
🔘The future of the NBA
🔘Why Thad loves Lance
🔘Moving on from Indy
🔘Myles & Domas Growth
🔘Difference betwen his time w/ Vic & PG🍎Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/QqRbRsXVWj pic.twitter.com/jUBYf8NHrh
— Setting The Pace🏀🎙 (@SettingThePace3) April 2, 2020
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
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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 |