THE FLATS – The NBA and the players association having agreed to a start date of Dec. 22 for the 2020-21 season, and the NBA draft was held Thursday night with no trades occurring involving former Yellow jackets … Derrick Favors remains a free agent while his 2019-20 team in New Orleans has hired a new coach in Stan Van Gundy, Thaddeus Young and Josh Okogie have completed off-season workouts with the Bulls and Timberwolves, respectively.
This week’s #ProJackets Report compiles more of the latest news, stories and social media posts on former Jackets and their activities of the past week.
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FAVORS RATED HIGHER THAN MID-LEVEL EXCEPTION
According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, Derrick Favors is listed among Tier 2 free agent centers – more valuable than a mid-level exception, but less than a max contract – along with Hassan Whiteside, Christian Wood, Andre Drummond and Jakob Puetl.
“Favors remains a quietly productive player who would either be one of the best backup centers in the league or a good stopgap starter. That may or may not be in New Orleans, depending on the Pelicans’ other plans, but they can re-sign him without dipping into exception money and have plenty of room below the tax line to fit him in.”
Christian Clark writes in NOLA.com: “In Wednesday’s draft, Griffin, New Orleans’ lead basketball executive, green-lit the selection of Kira Lewis Jr. at 13th overall and then traded away his team’s other three picks for future assets … the Pelicans could bring back Favors, who will be entering his 11th season. There is nothing sexy about his game, but he is as low-maintenance of a player as they come. He was valuable last season, even while he dealt with injuries and the death of his mother. Favors would be open to playing for Van Gundy, sources have said. However, multiple teams will be interested in him.”
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OKOGIE PART OF THE SOLUTION IN MINNESOTA
Jack Borman in Canis Hoopus writes: “From the moment he came into the league in 2018, Josh Okogie has been a constant in Minnesota as an energizing presence on the court and as a leader, both in the locker room and in the greater Minneapolis community. There’s a reason that Okogie, who was drafted by the Thibodeau regime – a crew that Wolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas has not been shy about criticizing – is the only player outside of Karl-Anthony Towns to survive the roster metamorphosis that has played out since the Rosas was hired on May 1, 2019.”
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#ProJackets on Social Media
.@CallMe_NonStop reflects back on the day he was drafted by the @Timberwolves in 2018: “By far, the best day of my life.” pic.twitter.com/HuAtuuent7
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) November 18, 2020
Like just about everything this year, the #NBADraft is happening on Zoom. But I hope that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to everyone involved. Tonight is a huge milestone for these young players, regardless. I know it was for me.
–> The Last Chiphttps://t.co/BTzBMYvyRG
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) November 18, 2020
2x-NBA champion and one of the best power forwards to play the game 🔥
Watch @chrisbosh on #AllTheSmoke: https://t.co/9GDUNqBAIv
Presented by @draftkings
🎶 @db_omerta “Up Off Me” pic.twitter.com/rEicdSChME— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) November 19, 2020
Regardless of how tonight turns out, I hope these future players know the dream starts here—no matter where they’re Zooming in from. Good luck to all the young fella’s tonight, you deserve it. pic.twitter.com/NEghKS8nbW
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) November 18, 2020
I saw it my people @GTMBB ! pic.twitter.com/Rja6bdSwSz
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) November 18, 2020
Welcome @patricklw4
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) November 19, 2020
Ahead of NBA Draft night we learn about the NBA mentality from #AAUAlumni @yungsmoove21 ! @AAU_Basketball
Do you have what it takes?!
Full Interview: https://t.co/dHSOxqLODh#AAUSports #WeAreAAU #AAUBasketball pic.twitter.com/np9Rgu8cVc
— AAU Sports (@TheRealAAU) November 18, 2020
Looking forward to speaking with the high schoolers at tomorrow and Wednesday’s virtual career fair. #Youcanbeanythingyouwanttobe pic.twitter.com/a7wH80YW2g
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) November 16, 2020
🔷 Meet Reform Ventures’ Thad Young:
Along with being an NBA star, Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) started his own VC firm called Reform Ventures in 2017.
Since then, the firm has landed stakes in tech giants like Lyft and Coinbase.
More: https://t.co/4O4dJinxTX pic.twitter.com/s0SVM4z93H
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) November 13, 2020
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EuroBasket Pro Yellow Jackets Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, plays pro in Germany) could not help ALBA Berlin (2-6) in their game last Friday. Despite his very good performance ALBA Berlin was defeated73-66on the road by the higher-ranked Zenit (#9). Lammers recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks in 25 minutes. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. This year Lammers averages 8.1ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.1bpg.
Experienced Zachery Peacock (6’8”-C-87, graduated ’10, plays in France) was the major contributor in a JL Bourg Basket’s surprising victory against the second-ranked Levallois (5-1) 79-76 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA in Saturday night’s game. Peacock recorded 14 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. JL Bourg Basket (1-4) is placed 15th in the Jeep ELITE ProA. It was his team’s first victory after four consecutive loses. But the season just started, so everything may happen. It’s Peacock’s sixth year with the team. He has individually a very good season with high stats. Peacock averages 18.3ppg, 3.0rpg and 3.3apg in four games he played so far.
Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, currently in Japan), who plays in the Japanese B2 League was not able to help Sendai 89ers (9-4) in their game last Saturday. Despite Miller’s very good performance the fourth-placed Sendai 89ers (9-4) were defeated83-75in Nara by the lower-ranked Bambitious (#6) in the East group. He recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and getting 19 rebounds. Miller also added 6 assists and 3 blocks in 35 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Miller has relatively good stats this season 12.8ppg, 9.6rpg, 4.1apg and 1.3bpg.
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, plays pro in Uruguay) was not able to secure a victory for Nacional (3-2) in their game against Defensor (1-4) in the Uruguayan LUB. Mitchell recorded 6 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. The third-placed Nacional (3-2) was badly defeated83-66in a derby game by the lower-ranked (#6) Defensor in the Places 1-6 group. It was Nacional’s first loss after three consecutive victories. This year Mitchell averages 8.3ppg and 4.7rpg in three games.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, plays in Greece) couldn’t help Ionikos Nikaias (0-4) in their game last Saturday. Despite Smith’s good performance Ionikos Nikaias was defeated77-67at home by the much higher-ranked Iraklis (#3). He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Smith also added 4 rebounds and 7 assists in 38 minutes. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Smith has relatively good stats this season 14.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.0apg and 1.3spg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83, graduated ’05, currently in Japan) led Shinshu BW to a shocking victory over the leader Ryukyu GK 73-66 in the Japanese B1 League last Saturday. McHenry was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 19 points and getting 11 rebounds. McHenry also added 2 blocks. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 13.0ppg, 8.5rpg, 4.8apg, 1.6bpg and 1.1spg in 11 games.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98, graduated ’19, plays pro in Japan) contributed to a SeaHorses Mikawa’s victory against the tenth-ranked Yokohama BC 88-84 in the Japanese B1 League on Sunday night. Schafer scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 28 minutes. This season Schafer averages 7.3ppg, 4.5rpg and 1.4apg. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-94, graduated ’19, plays in Israel) couldn’t help Maccabi Ashdod/Be’er Tuvia in their game against Hasharon in the Israeli National League (second division). He recorded 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. It was his first game for Maccabi Ashdod/Be’er Tuvia this season. His team lost 70-74.
Joshua Heath (6’2”-PG-94, graduated ’17, currently in Belgium), who plays in the Belgian Euromillions League couldn’t help Stella Artois Leuven Bears (0-1) in their game last Saturday. Despite Heath’s good performance the fifth-placed Stella Artois Leuven Bears was defeated65-59in Jemappes by the leading Belfius Mons-Hainaut in the Group B. He was the second best scorer with 10 points. Heath also added 3 passes in 26 minutes. It was his first game for Stella Artois Leuven Bears this season.
James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98, graduated ’20, plays pro in Israel) couldn’t help H.Beer Sheva in their game against Galil Gilboa in the Israeli Winner League. He scored only 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and made 2 blocks. His team lost 73-86. This year Banks averages 3.3ppg, 3.7rpg and 2.7bpg in three games.
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-91) signed for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-G/F-91) played for Juventus in Lithuanian LKL
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-94) signed for Jiangsu Nangang Dragons Nanjing in Chinese CBA
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) played for Mykolaiv in Ukrainian Superleague
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88) played for Fukuoka Rizing in Japanese B2 League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) played for Team Ehingen Urspring in German ProA
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-92) signed for Focsani in Romanian Liga Nationala
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
#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 |
