July 17, 2013
THE FLATS – Two of Georgia Tech’s alumni in the NBA will wear new uniforms in the 2013-14 season as Jarrett Jack has signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Anthony Morrow has inked a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jack, who played at Tech from 2002-05 and led the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA championship game in 2004, signed a four-year, $25 million contract to play with the Cleveland Cavaliers following a highly successful 2012-13 campaign in which he was one of the NBA’s top sixth men and was a key member of a Golden State Warriors team that advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.
The Fort Washington, Md., native averaged a career-high 17.2 points a game, second on the Warriors’ team and 4.7 assists. Jack is finishing two classes at Tech this summer to complete requirements for his bachelor’s degree in Management.
Morrow enjoyed two successful years each with Golden State and New Jersey, averaging double figures each year, after entering the NBA as a free agent in 2008. But the Charlotte, N.C., native battled injuries and played only 41 games last season between Atlanta and Dallas. He signed a two-year deal with the Pelicans in which he will receive the veteran’s minimum salary with a player’s option on the second season of his contract.
Another star on Tech’s 2004 Final Four team, guard Will Bynum, also became a free agent in the off-season but re-signed with Detroit, receiving a two-year contract for $5.75 million. The Chicago, Ill., native has played for the Pistons the last five years, averaging 8.1 points and 3.2 assists for his career.
Tech’s Alumni in the NBA
Chris Bosh – Miami Heat since 2011
Will Bynum – Detroit Pistons since 2009
Derrick Favors – Utah Jazz since 2012
Jarrett Jack – Golden State Warriors > Cleveland Cavaliers
Anthony Morrow – Dallas Mavericks > New Orleans Pelicans
Iman Shumpert – New York Knicks since 2012
Thaddeus Young – Philadelphia 76ers since 2008
BOSH MAKING GOODWILL TRIP TO INDIA
Chris Bosh, an all-Atlantic Coast Conference performer at Georgia Tech in 2002-03 who has helped the Miami Heat to the NBA title each of the last two seasons, is on a four-day trip to India (July 16-19) to help launch a unique NBA basketball and entertainment initiative. Photos, video and more information is in the following link – Follow Chris Bosh in India
THREE EX-JACKETS IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
Three former Yellow Jackets are playing on teams in the NBA Summer League, including Iman Shumpert, who returned the court for the New York Knicks in the second half of the 2012-13 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during his rookie season.
The Oak Park., Ill., native, who played at Tech from 2008-11, averaged 6.8 points in 45 regular-season games for the Knicks this year, and 9.3 points in 12 playoff games.
Alade Aminu, who has played in Europe (Turkey last season) and for the Nigerian National team in the 2012 Summer Olympics, is on the summer roster for the Toronto Raptors summer league team. The undrafted free agent from Stone Mountain, Ga., has played briefly for the Miami Heat in the NBA and for Bakersfield in the NBA Development League.
Glen Rice, Jr., is on the summer roster for the Washington Wizards, who received Rice in a draft-night trade after being selected 35th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Marietta, Ga., native starred last season for Rio Grande Valley in the NBADL, leading the Vipers to the league title.
The NBA operates summer leagues in Orlando (July 7-12) and Las Vegas (July 12-22) primarily for rookies and free agents.