THE FLATS – Georgia Tech’s Jose Alvarado signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans Friday, and Moses Wright agreed to a contract to play on the Toronto Raptors NBA Summer League team. Neither player was selected in Thursday night’s NBA Draft.
For Alvarado, who worked out for 17 NBA teams and participated in the NBA G League Elite Camp, the two-day deal is a guarantee that he will play for both the Pelicans and their G League affiliate (Birmingham Squadron). Each NBA team is allowed two such players on its roster. Wright, who worked out for 15 NBA teams and participated in the NBA Combine prior to Thursday’s draft, with be with the Raptors when they play four games in the Las Vegas Summer League. New Orleans also has a team in the Summer League.
They are looking to join three Georgia Tech alumni in the NBA – longtime veterans Thaddeus Young (Chicago Bulls) and Derrick Favors (traded from Utah to Oklahoma City Friday morning) and 2018 first-round draft choice Josh Okogie, entering his fourth year with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Dreams really do come true … NEW ORLEANS WASSUP!!! pic.twitter.com/OiFyLA1jSu
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) July 30, 2021
Alvarado and Wright finished off their Georgia Tech careers impressively, leading the Yellow Jackets to their first Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in 28 years and to their first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 2010. Wright was named the ACC’s Player of the Year, Tech’s first since 1990, and a first-team all-conference choice, while Alvarado was tabbed the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a second-team all-conference pick.
Alvarado, a 6-foot point guard from Brooklyn, N.Y., was a second-team All-ACC choice after leading the ACC in steals for the second straight year, and also ranked among the league’s top 10 in seven categories – No. 8 in scoring (15.19 ppg), No. 5 in FG percentage (.504), No. 2 in FT percentage (.838), No. 6 in assist average (4.08), No. 1 in steals (2.85), No. 7 in assist/turnover ratio (2.00), No. 2 in minutes (37.10).
Wright, a 6-9 forward from Raleigh, N.C., was a first-team All-ACC selection this past season after ranking among the conference’s top six in scoring average (3rd, 17.40 ppg), rebound average (4th, 8.04 rpg), field goal percentage (4th, .532), steals (7th, 1.48 pg), blocked shots (6th, 1.64 per game), offensive rebounds (4th, 3.16 rpg) and minutes (6th, 35.34 mpg).
Alvarado finished his Tech career 19th on its all-time scoring list with 1,429 points and No. 3 in steals with 226. Wright became the 21st player in Tech history to collect more than 1,000 points (1,130) and 500 rebounds (614).
✏️ Congrats to our guy @mant12_ for signing to participate in the summer league for the Raptors!!#TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/cS8YpvpkP9
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) July 30, 2021
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ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team won the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship in 2021 after finishing fourth in the regular season. Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, winning four ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993, 2021), playing in the NCAA Tournament 17 times and playing in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBB) and Instagram. For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
