THE FLATS – As with most professional and collegiate sports, the NBA and G-League 2019-20 seasons have been on hiatus since March 12, though the league and many of its teams appear to be settling on plans to resume. This is week 12 without basketball, but former Yellow Jackets in pro basketball remain busy. This week’s #ProJackets Report compiles some of the latest news, stories and social media posts on former Jackets and their activities of the past week, prior to today’s news.
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LATEST NEWS
The NBA’s board of governors has a 12:30 p.m. ET call on Thursday with the intention of approving the league’s plan for a 22-team return in Orlando, Fla., sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The final details of that plan are still coming together. By the time you read this, announcements may already have been made. Read more
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OKOGIE AND TIMBERWOLVES SUPPORT FLOYD FAMILY
Josh Okogie was among several Timberwolves who attended a press conference and rally led by former NBA player Stephen Jackson on Friday in Minneapolis in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Okogie has given several thoughtful interviews on the situation. Okogie isn’t sure if the Timberwolves will play another game this season, or if they will wear a patch in Floyd’s honor when they play again, but said the team supports the cause going forward.
“They are 100 percent on our side and we have their 100 percent support, anything that we’re doing,” Okogie said. “I know that they’re all for it.”
Forbes | The Athletic | NBA.com
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TO SIGN OR NOT TO SIGN
There are players from the 2010 NBA Draft class with more individual honors than Derrick Favors. There are players with higher career scoring. However, few members of that group from a decade ago have consistently won as much as Favors, particularly in recent years. The former Tech star talks to Pelicans.com about his career.
Debate continues over what New Orleans will or won’t do relative to Favors’ impending free agency. From NOLA.com: “They can either bring him back or go out and get a replacement. Whatever they do, the necessity of having a steady, experienced presence inside is clear. In 45 games with Favors in the lineup, the Pelicans went 22-23. In the 19 games he missed, they were 6-13. They were a disaster without him, particularly on the defensive end.” Read more
From Bleacher Report: “…his presence on the floor coincides with a plus-9.2 net rating for the Pels this year, so even load-managed contributions from him figure to be worthwhile going forward.”
Favors also appeared with teammate David West on the May 28 edition of the Pelicans Podcast. Listen
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YOUNG DISCUSSES POSSIBLE RESTART
The Chicago Bulls’ Thaddeus Young was on WGN Sports in Chicago last weekend and talked about the NBA’s possible restart next month. Young continues to work out and stay in shape, wondering if his season will continue, and continues to spend time with his family. He also goes on to support the Bulls’ current front office, saying ““The communication is amazing between the two of them. They both reach out and check in with all the players, including myself. They try to keep us abreast in each and every situation going on, whether it’s a hiring or a firing situation, they want us as the players to know first.”
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OKOGIE AND TIMBERWOLVES SUPPORT FLOYD FAMILY
Josh Okogie was among several Timberwolves who attended a press conference and rally led by former NBA player Stephen Jackson on Friday in Minneapolis in the wake of the death of George Floyd, and has given several thoughtful interviews on the situation. Okogie isn’t sure if the Timberwolves will play another game this season, or if they will wear a patch in Floyd’s honor when they play again, but said the team supports the cause going forward.
“They are 100 percent on our side and we have their 100 percent support, anything that we’re doing,” Okogie said. “I know that they’re all for it.”
Forbes | The Athletic | NBA.com
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MORROW REVEALS CURRY NICKNAME FROM ROOKIE SEASON
Steph Curry and Anthony Morrow were teammates with the Warriors only for one season. But they built a friendship during the 2009-10 campaign that carries on to this day. And as we all know, it’s common for people who are good friends to create nicknames for each other. Read more
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PEACOCK RE-UPS WITH BOURG
JL Bourg Basket (Jeep ELITE ProA) re-signed 32-year old American center Zachery Peacock (203-107kg-87, college: Georgia Tech). Peacock has played there for the last five seasons of his 11-year professional career. Peacock has played also professionally in Germany (46ers, Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and Deutsche Bank Skyliners), Turkey (Meliksah) and France (Cholet Basket and SO Maritime Boulogne). Among many awards Peacock’s team made it to the French Leaders Cup final in 2019. He received also the Eurobasket.com All-French ProA Player of the Year award and the Eurobasket.com All-French ProA Import Player of the Year award in 2018. Peacock is described as a “big, strong frontcourt player who already is a tremendous rebounder and can shoot the basketball.”
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
$1K MADDEN TOURNAMENT! https://t.co/qGyJw6vB1V
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) June 2, 2020
One of the biggest joys in my NBA career was hitting the big shots in a game that I grew up dreaming about. I remember the days counting down 3-2-1 outside like it was yesterday. Sometimes I can’t believe that those moments became a reality. https://t.co/GAfVJ9KGsY
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) May 28, 2020
“You see people of every different backgrounds, ethnicities, race all fighting for the same cause.”
Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) joins #GameTime to reflect on the positive effects he’s beginning to see. pic.twitter.com/LO3XnkVb1s
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 2, 2020
I’m a big believer in being proactive, not reactive. It’s cool to have justice for people after they die, and it’s cool to punish cops accordingly. But instead of reacting to each situation, we need to look the real problem in the eye and stop any further unnecessary killings.
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) May 27, 2020
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾Read Below 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/kOFWZT9mXh
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) May 31, 2020
#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 |
