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YOUNG RETURNS TO H.S. ALMA MATER FOR CAMP
For the first time since 2019, Memphis native and 15-year NBA vet Thaddeus Young returned to his alma mater, Mitchell High School, to host his Shelby Metro Basketball Camp.
The forward for the Toronto Raptors believes going back to his roots is important.
“Oh, it’s very important,” Young said. “Just for the simple fact like these are the same kids that grew up in the neighborhood just like I did, I used to walk these same streets, come to this same gym.”
Young is hosting nearly 200 kids between the ages of eight and 18 at the camp all week. He hopes that what he’s accomplished through basketball after growing up just like they did can provide some inspiration.
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DERRICK FAVORS OUTLOOK WITH OKC
With a bevy of potential rotational pathways, let’s break down Derrick Favors, who will be looking to make the final 15-man roster.
Favors, age 31, is the Thunder’s longest-tenured NBA player, being selected in the 2010 NBA Draft. The former lottery pick began his career for the New Jersey Nets, however, a mid-season deal sent him off to Utah in his first season. In nine seasons with the Jazz, Favors asserted himself as a top interior option alongside Al Jefferson, unleashing his array of rebounding efforts and post-play to scathe All-Star caliber numbers for a few seasons.
After a lone season in New Orleans and a brief return to Utah, Favors was dealt to the Thunder in the aftermath of the 2021 NBA Draft for draft capital. Last season, the big averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Thunder.
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GEORGES-HUNT HEADED TO PUERTO RICO
From Celtics Wire: Signed by the Celtics after going undrafted in 2016, Georges-Hunt played with the (then) Maine Red Claws (now, Celtics) before being cut. Now, he will play in Puerto Rico for the Mets de Guaynabo.
He has since signed with the Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Iowa Wolves, had another brief stint with the Claws, the Guangzhou Loong Lions, Jiangsu Dragons, College Park Skyhawks, and Brujos de Guayama.
The Georgia Tech product appeared in 3 preseason games in the 2016-17 and 2018-19 seasons, averaging 3 points and a rebound per game in the former, and 7 points, 2 assists, and a steal in the latter.
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CATCHING UP WITH TADRIC JACKSON
Former Georgia Tech guard Tadric Jackson lasted suited up for Tift County’s basketball team in the 2013-14 state championship victory over Wheeler. Eight years has passed since he dribbled a basketball in the Palace, but over the weekend it was like he never left.
Jackson hosted his first ever camp July 16-18 in Tifton, one that he wants to be an annual tradition. He’s off to a good start. More than 50 boys and girls joined him and his assistants for the camp, which featured everything from stretches to set plays, from basic dribbling to setting screens.
More from the Tifton Gazette
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