Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball

THE FLATS — Derrick Favors posted a double-double, Iman Shumpert and the Rockets to face the Jazz on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. in Utah, … That and more in this edition of the Georgia Tech #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Favors scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 118-98 loss to the Houston Rockets, leaving the Utah Jazz down by 2 games in their first-round series. Despite the loss, Favors remains upbeat, saying that the Jazz needs to “keep being aggressive” and “continue taking the shots we take” during the postgame presser. Favors certainly backed up his words with his play, hitting 7/11 field goal attempts, and posting the best plus/minus of all of Utah’s starters. The series shifts to Utah in game 3, where Favors and the Jazz will look to defend their home court.

Iman Shumpert logged 10 minutes in a Game 2 win for the Houston Rockets, to take a 2-0 lead in their series against the Utah Jazz. The Rockets will look to Shumpert for his tenacious perimeter defense and 3-point shooting as they go deeper into the playoffs. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 ET.

Thaddeus Young scored 15 points for the Pacers in a nail-biting loss in game 2 of their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. Young has shrugged off any concerns related to his hand injury, which left his status as questionable for game 1, playing 26 and 33 minutes in the 2 games during this series. The scene shifts to Indiana, where the Pacers will aim to get a win in game 3, scheduled for 8:30 pm ET tomorrow night

Josh Okogie and the Minnesota Timberwolves finished the regular season in 11th with a record of 36-46. Okogie ended his rookie campaign, averaging 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds per game. He also ranks 3rd among rookies in steals (88), 43rd in all of the NBA.

CBSSports.com reported before Christmas that Marcus Georges-Hunt underwent knee surgery and would miss extended playing time for the Maine Red Claws in the G League, though there has been very little reported about it. Georges-Hunt had averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 36 minutes per game in nine games for the Red Claws.

Jarrett Jack and the Sioux Falls Skyforce finished the regular season with a 24-26 record and in 8^th in the Western Conference in the G-League. The Skyforce missed the playoffs and lost their final game to the Rio Grande Valley, 105-99.

#1. Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93, graduated ’16, plays pro in Argentina) could not help Ferro (20-10) in their last game. Despite his very good performance, Ferro was badly defeated 90-73 on the road by the much lower-ranked (#14) Hispano Americano de Rio Gallegos. Mitchell was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 7 rebounds in 30 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Mitchell’s third season in pro basketball. It’s Mitchell’s first year with the team. He has individually a very good season with high stats. Mitchell averages 17.0ppg, 9.0rpg, and 1.7apg in 29 games he played so far.

#2. Trae Golden (6’3”-G-91, graduated ’14, plays in Russia) was not able to help Avtodor (9-15) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Golden’s very good performance, Avtodor was defeated 95-91 in Krasnodar by the higher-ranked Lokomotiv (#4). He recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and making 14 passes. There are only two games left until the end of the VTB United League Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. This season Golden has very high stats. He averages 18.3ppg, 2.7rpg, and 8.3apg.

#3. Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91, graduated ’10, currently in the NBA) led Utah Jazz to a victory against the Denver Nuggets (54-28) 118-108 in the NBA on Tuesday night. He scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes. The Utah Jazz has a solid 50-32 record this season. There are only three games left until the end of the NBA Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. It’s Favors’ eighth year with the team. Favors has very impressive stats this season 11.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.2apg and 1.4bpg in 76 games.

#4. Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88, graduated ’07, plays pro in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the Indiana Pacers (48-34) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance, the Indiana Pacers (48-34) were defeated 108-96 in Brooklyn by the Nets. Young was the second best scorer with 16 points. He also added 4 passes. There are only three games left until the end of the NBA Regular Season. So now every game will be important. This season Young has very high stats. He averages 12.6ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.5apg, and 1.5spg.

#5. Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91, graduated ’14, plays in Japan) led Sendai 89ers to a victory over the fifth-ranked Yamagata (21-37) 82-72 in the Japanese B2 League last Sunday. Miller was MVP of the game. He had a double-double by scoring 31 points and getting 13 rebounds. Miller also added 4 assists in 39 minutes. Sendai 89ers (38-20) are placed second in the East group. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be extremely important. It’s Miller’s first season with the team. He has relatively good stats this year 14.9ppg, 11.8rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7bpg and 1.4spg in 53 games.

#6. Zachery Peacock (6’8”-C-87, graduated ’10, currently in France) was the main contributor in a 3-point JL Bourg Basket‘s victory against the sixth-ranked Chalon/Saor 79-76 in the French Jeep ELITE ProA on Tuesday night. He was MVP of the game. Peacock scored 15 points and added 3 passes. This season he has very high stats. Peacock averages 17.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg, and 1.3spg.

#7. Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88, graduated ’10, plays pro in Japan) couldn’t help Shiga L-Stars (18-40) in their last game. Despite Lawal’s very good performance, the fifth-placed Shiga L-Stars were crushed 92-65 in Nagoya by the second-ranked Diamond Dolphins in the West group. He had a double-double by scoring 30 points and getting 12 rebounds. Lawal also added 2 blocks in 38 minutes. He has very impressive stats this year 20.8ppg, 12.2rpg, 1.6apg and 1.5bpg in 41 games. Lawal is a naturalized Nigerian.

#8. Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98, graduated ’18, plays in the NBA) couldn’t help the Minnesota Timberwolves in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Okogie recorded 8 points and added 3 passes. His team was defeated 132-126 in the NBA. He has relatively good stats this season 7.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.2apg, and 1.2spg. Okogie is a naturalized Nigerian.

#9. Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92, graduated ’16, currently in Italy), who plays in the Italian Serie A2 (second division) couldn’t help Orasi RAV (12-17) in their last game. Despite Smith’s very good performance, the ninth-placed Orasi RAV was edged 92-90 at home by the much lower-ranked (#16) Bakery PIA in the East group. He was the top scorer with 33 points. Smith also added 4 rebounds and dished 4 assists in 41 minutes. He has very impressive stats this year 23.4ppg, 4.0rpg and 2.9apg in 28 games.

#10. Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95, graduated ’18, plays pro in Spain) contributed to a 3-point RETAbet BB‘s victory against the sixth-ranked Melilla Baloncesto 62-59 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) in Sunday night’s game. He recorded 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Lammers has relatively good stats this season 10.2ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.1bpg, and 1.1spg.

Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:

Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-G/F-91) plays for Instituto in Argentinian La Liga
James White (6’8”-F-93) plays for Beroe in Bulgarian NBL
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-98) plays for Toyota Alvark Tokyo in Japanese B League
Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-90) plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA
Jeremis Smith (6’8”-F-86) plays for Bigua in Uruguayan LUB
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87) plays for Hapoel SP Tel-Aviv in Israeli Winner League
Tony Akins (5’11”-G-80) plays for KCC Egis in South Korean KBL
Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-83) played for Yesilgiresun Belediye in Turkish Folded a few months ago
Jarrett Jack (6’3”-PG-83) plays for Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA G League
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-94) plays for Maine Red Claws in the NBA G League
Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-90) plays for Craiova in Romanian Liga Nationala
Quinton Stephens (6’9”-F-95) plays for Leyma Basquet Coruna in Spanish LEB Gold
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-83) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B2 League
Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-94) plays for Contern in Luxembourg Total League
Lewis Clinch (6’3”-G-87) plays for Grindavik in Icelandic Dominos League
Joshua Heath (5’11”-PG-94) plays for Ankara D.S.I. in Turkish TBL
Mario West (6’5”-G-84) played for Ghost Ballers in the Big3 last year

Notice: The list above includes only some of the Georgia Tech alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check COMPLETE LIST.