THE APARTMENTS – Jose Alvarado has built a successful NBA career based on relentlessness… Is Alvarado's offense underrated? … more in this week's #ProJackets Report.

ALVARADO HAS DEVELOPED A SUCCESSFUL NBA CAREER AT THE FOUNDATION

When you listen to 6-foot point guard Jose Alvarado describe his approach to basketball, it's easy to see why he's one of the most likeable players in the NBA – and extremely popular in New Orleans. It's easy to see why the fourth-year pro is always a tight bundle of energy when he's on the floor. He's seemingly everywhere on the hardwood at once, much to the chagrin of opposing ball handlers who let their concentration slip for even a split second.

“This is the only way I can stay here,” Alvarado explained that for him, persistence is essential to stay in the NBA. “But it’s also just who I am. I'm not the type of person who can just play “cool” or think that only my skills make a difference. I don't stand out that much (as a player). I think that's how I got here and how I'll stay. (I have to) be who I am – bold, go out with energy. It's me.”

“What I respect most about Jose’s game is that he’s not afraid of anyone,” said new Pelicans teammate and point guard Dejounte Murray. “With all my heart for a guy like him. Obviously he wasn't lucky enough to be 6'3″, but he has the heart of a lion. I appreciate the way Jose approaches the game and the way he plays the game. He doesn’t take anything for granted.”

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THE MISUNDERSTANDED BRILLIANCE OF JOSE ALVARADO

Ask any NBA fan about this Jose Alvaradoand chances are the first thing they bring up is his defense.

And for good reason. The Puerto Rican guard, who stands at a generous 6'3″ tall, has made a name for himself in the basketball world over the past half-decade as one of the sport's greatest pests. While playing at Georgia Tech, he was named the 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and in 2022 he burst onto the NBA scene with a signature defensive move that has also become his official nickname: Grand Theft Alvarado.

Only TJ McConnell and his backcourt inbound pass steal rival Alvarado in the pure annoyance he causes the opponent.

New Orleans rightly rewarded Alvarado with a new contract before the start of the 2024-25 season, giving the former undrafted free agent a two-year, $9 million extension. A meager deal by the NBA's high standards, but life-changing money nonetheless.

But what if I told you that the offensive value Alvarado brings to the Pelicans is greatly underrated, while the good value he brings on defense is probably somewhat overrated?

The Misunderstood Brilliance of Jose Alvarado https://t.co/sFOzoUWZNj

— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) October 18, 2024

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EuroBasket Pro Yellow Jackets weekly update

Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC

Marcus Georges Hunt (6'5″-F-1994, played 2012-16, plays professionally in China) was the main man responsible for the Sichuan Blue Whales' victory over the closely ranked Golden Bulls (2-4) 122-107 in China CBA in the game on Thursday evening. He scored 34 points (!!!), 8 assists and 3 steals (made all seven of his free throws) in 38 minutes. The Sichuan Blue Whales (1-5) are ranked 17th in the CBA. It was his team's first win after five consecutive defeats. But this is still early in the season and anything can happen. Individually, Georges-Hunt has had a very good year with high statistics. In the six games he has played so far, he is averaging 15.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.3 spg. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.

Jordan Usher (6'7”-SF-1998, played 2019-22, plays in France) couldn't help JL Bourg en Bresse (5-0) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Usher's good performance, league leaders JL Bourg en Bresse lost 91:88 away to the worse placed JDA Dijon (#3). With 12 points he was the second best scorer. But the season has just started, so anything can happen. This year Usher is averaging 9.8ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.8apg.

Moses Wright (6'10”-C-1998, played 2017-21, currently in Greece) contributed to an easy win against one of the weakest teams in the league, Karditsas (0-3), 77-61, in the Greek GBL on Monday night . Wright scored 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in just 12 minutes. Olympiacos SFP Piraeus (3-0) takes first place in the GBL. So far, his team has won all three games of the regular season. But the season is still in its early stages and anything can happen. Wright has relatively good stats this year with 13.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg in three games.

Ben Lammers (6'10”-C-1995, played 2014-18, plays professionally in Spain) MoraBanc Andorra could not help in the game against Valencia (3:1) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Lammers recorded 9 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. But MoraBanc Andorra lost on the opposing field to the higher ranked Valencia (#4) with 89:88. But the season is still in its early stages and anything can happen. It is Lammers' first year with the team. This season he is averaging 8.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3bpg.

Khalid Moore (6'7”-F-2000, played 2018-22, plays in France) managed to help Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball to a win against 14th-ranked La Rochelle (1-4), beating them 94- 57 to defeat the French Betclic ELITE ProA last Saturday. He scored just 4 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (4-1) takes third place in the Betclic ELITE ProA. But the season is still in its early stages and anything can happen. This year, Moore is averaging 5.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 1.2 apg in five games.

Abdoulaye Gueye (6'9”-C-1994, played 2014-15, currently in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish TBL (second division), failed to secure a win for one of the weakest teams in the league, TED Ankara (3-4 ), secure ) in their last game on Monday. Despite Gueye's very good performance, TED Ankara lost at home to the higher placed Kapakli Spor (#12) 88:87. With 15 points he was the best scorer. Gueye also added 9 rebounds (made all nine of his free throws!!!). This season Gueye has very high statistics. He averages 15.9ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4bpg and 1.9spg.

Joshua Heath (6'1”-PG-1994, played 2014-17, plays professionally in Belgium) led his Belgian team Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen to a win against closely ranked Spirou Charleroi 77-72 in the BNXT League in Sunday night's game. Heath scored 15 points and added 6 assists in 32 minutes. This year, Heath is averaging 9.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 3.8 apg in five games.

Michael Devoe (6'5”-G-1999, played 2018-22, plays in Germany) contributed to SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels' surprising win over fourth-place Bayern Munich 79-75 in the German BBL last Saturday. Devoe scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and provided 5 assists. Devoe has relatively good stats this season (12.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 3.2apg).

Avi Schafer (6'9”-C-1998, played 2017-19, currently in Japan) helped SeaHorses Mikawa win their game against third-seeded Osaka Evessa 87-70 in the Japanese B1 League on Saturday evening. Schäfer scored 7 points in 19 minutes. This year, Schafer is averaging 2.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg in seven games. He is a naturalized Japanese.

Jose Alvarado (6'0”-PG-1998, played 2017-16, plays professionally in NBA) helped the New Orleans Pelicans win their game against the Chicago Bulls 123-111 in the NBA on Wednesday night. He only scored 3 points and added 3 passes. It was his first game for the New Orleans Pelicans this season.

Other former Georgia Tech players playing in professional basketball:

Adam Smith (6'1”-PG-1992, played 2015-16) played for Surne Bilbao Basket in the Spanish Liga Endesa

Josh Okogie (6'4”-G-1998, played 2016-18) plays for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA

Squidward Young (6'8″-F-1988, played 2006-07) played for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA

Brandon Alston (6'5”-G-1995, played 2017-19) played for Parnu in the Estonian KML

James Banks III (6'10”-F/C-1998, played 2018-20) signed with Aris Midea in the Greek GBL

Glen Rice Jr. (6'6”-F-1991, played 2009-12) plays for Cocodrilos in the Venezuelan SPB

Yes from Franklin (6'7”-F/C-1998, played 2023-23) played for Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket Denizli in the Turkish BSL

Derrick Favors (6'10”-F-1991, played 2009-23) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League

Rodney Howard (1.85 meters tall, played 2020-23) signed with Craiova in the Romanian Liga Nationala

Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played 2017-19) plays for the Atlanta Aliens in the ABA

Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played 2014-16) plays for Dorados de Chihuahua in the Mexican LNBP

Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played 2013-14) played for Ahly Benghazi in the Libyan D1

Gani Lawal (6'9”-F/C-1988, played 2007-10) plays for Toros Del Valle in the Colombian League WPlay

Observe: The list above includes just some of the alumni currently playing in professional basketball. See the full list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.