Yellow Jackets in Professional Basketball
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Spain) could not help one of league’s weakest teams Bilbao (2-1) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Bilbao lost 80-85 at home to the leading Real Madrid. Smith was the second best scorer with 19 points. He also added 3 assists in 28 minutes. Smith has relatively good stats this year 13.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg and 1.3spg in 13 games he played so far.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) led his German team ALBA Berlin to a victory against the closely-ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (6-10) 91-79 in the Euroleague last Friday. Lammers recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. ALBA Berlin (4-12) closes the standings in the Euroleague. But the situation may improve as they ended a series of twelve consecutive loses. This season Lammers averages 6.8ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.2spg.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-F-1999, graduated ‘2022, currently in Turkey) led Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul to a victory over the closely-ranked Dacka (6-6) 98-84 in a derby game in the Turkish BSL on Saturday night. Usher was MVP of the game. He scored 24 points and added 5 passes in 35 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it’s only Usher’s first season in pro basketball. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (6-5) is placed fourth in the BSL. His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical. It’s Usher’s first year with the team. Usher has relatively good stats this season 15.0ppg, 2.7rpg and 1.5apg in 11 games.
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, graduated ‘2018, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to an easy victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (21-13) 125-108 in the NBA in Tuesday night’s game. Okogie scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns have 20-17 record this season. This year Okogie averages 4.4ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.1apg. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, graduated ‘2014, plays in China) was not able to help Beijing Royal Fighters (8-10) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Beijing Royal Fighters were crushed 111-89 on the road by the lower-ranked (#17) Blue Whales. Golden was the top scorer with 29 points. He also added 7 passes (made all of his seven free throws) in 41 minutes. It was Beijing Royal Fighters’ third consecutive loss in a row. It’s Golden’s first season with the team. Golden has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 22.6ppg, 4.8rpg and 5.6apg in 18 games.
Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998, graduated ‘2021, currently in China) contributed to an easy victory against one of league’s weakest teams Sturgeons crushing them 110-81 in the Chinese CBA on Saturday night. He recorded 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. This season Wright averages 10.0ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.1apg and 1.3spg.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays pro in the NBA) contributed to a Toronto Raptors’ victory against the Phoenix Suns 113-104 in the NBA in Friday night’s game. Young scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 24 minutes. This year he averages 5.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg in 32 games.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) helped New Orleans Pelicans win their game against the Indiana Pacers crushing them 113-93 in the NBA last Monday. Alvarado scored 8 points, grabbed 4 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls. He has relatively good stats this season 9.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.4spg.
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, graduated ‘2016, currently in Kuwait) was the main contributor in Kuwait’s victory against the closely-ranked Al-Manama 91-88 in the West Asia Super League on Tuesday night. Georges-Hunt was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists in 32 minutes. Georges-Hunt has very impressive stats this year 22.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 3.5apg in two games. He is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, plays pro in Japan) was not able to secure a victory for SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Akita NH in the Japanese B1 League. He cannot count Friday’s game as one of the best ones. Schafer recorded only 3 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team was defeated 74-62. This season he averages 4.7ppg and 3.7rpg. Schafer is a naturalized Japanese.
Other former Georgia Tech players, who play in pro basketball:
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) is a free agent
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987) plays for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rican BSN
- Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian Pro Basketball League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) signed for Batumi in Georgian Superleague
- Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983) plays for Shinshu BW in Japanese B1 League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993) plays for Obera in Argentinian La Liga
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Tadric Jackson (6’2”-G-1994) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994) plays for Samsunspor in Turkish TBL
- Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999) plays for Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for Power in the Big3
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Tokyo HT in Japanese B3 League
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988) signed for Runa Basket in Russian Superleague 1
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
