Georgia Tech Basketball: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Georgia Tech's basketball program boasts a rich history, marked by the contributions of numerous talented athletes who have gone on to achieve success at the professional level and beyond. This article celebrates some of the most notable alumni who have donned the Yellow Jackets jersey and left an indelible mark on the sport.
NBA and ABA Stars
Georgia Tech has a strong track record of producing NBA and ABA players, with many alumni achieving significant success in professional basketball. Here's a look at some of the most prominent names:
- Jose Alvarado: After playing for Georgia Tech from 2017 to 2021, Alvarado signed with the New Orleans Pelicans as a free agent in 2021. Known for his defensive prowess and nicknamed "Grand Theft Alvarado," he continues to play for the Pelicans.
- Alade Aminu: Aminu played for Georgia Tech from 2005 to 2009 and signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2010. After a brief stint in the NBA, he has continued his career overseas.
- Kenny Anderson: Anderson, who played for the Yellow Jackets from 1989 to 1991, was drafted second overall by the New Jersey Nets in 1991. He enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, playing for several teams before retiring in 2005.
- Drew Barry: Barry played at Georgia Tech from 1992 to 1996 and was drafted in the second round by Seattle in 1996. He played in the NBA from 1998 to 2000.
- Jon Barry: Barry, who played for Georgia Tech from 1990 to 1992, was a first-round pick by Boston in 1992. His NBA career spanned from 1992 to 2006, during which he played for several teams.
- Travis Best: Best played for Georgia Tech from 1991 to 1995 and was drafted in the first round by Indiana in 1995. He played in the NBA until 2005 and later played overseas.
- Chris Bosh: Bosh played one season at Georgia Tech (2002-03) before being drafted fourth overall by Toronto in 2003. He became a superstar in the NBA, winning two championships with the Miami Heat before retiring in 2016.
- Will Bynum: Bynum played for Georgia Tech from 2003 to 2005 and signed with Boston as a free agent in 2005. He played in the NBA until 2015 and later played overseas.
- Jim Caldwell: Caldwell played for Georgia Tech from 1962 to 1965 and was drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1965. He played in the NBA and ABA from 1967 to 1969.
- Jason Collier: Collier played for Georgia Tech from 1998 to 2000 and was drafted in the first round by Milwaukee in 2000. He played in the NBA until his death in 2005.
- Javaris Crittenton: Crittenton played for Georgia Tech from 2006 to 2007 and was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007. He played in the NBA until 2009.
- Derrick Favors: Favors played for Georgia Tech from 2009 to 2010 and was drafted fourth overall by New Jersey in 2010. He has had a long and successful NBA career, playing for several teams.
- Duane Ferrell: Ferrell played for Georgia Tech from 1984 to 1988 and signed with Atlanta as a free agent in 1988. He played in the NBA until 1999.
- Matt Geiger: Geiger played for Georgia Tech from 1990 to 1992 and was drafted in the second round by Miami in 1992. He played in the NBA until 2002.
- Marcus Georges-Hunt: Georges-Hunt played for Georgia Tech from 2012 to 2016 and signed with Miami as a free agent in 2017. He has played in the NBA and the G League.
- Dion Glover: Glover played for Georgia Tech from 1997 to 1999 and was drafted in the first round by Atlanta in 1999. He played in the NBA until 2005.
- Tom Hammonds: Hammonds played for Georgia Tech from 1985 to 1989 and was drafted in the first round by Washington in 1999. He played in the NBA until 2001.
- Matt Harpring: Harpring played for Georgia Tech from 1994 to 1998 and was drafted in the first round by Orlando in 1998. He played in the NBA until 2010.
- Jarrett Jack: Jack played for Georgia Tech from 2002 to 2005 and was drafted in the first round by Denver in 2005. He enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, playing for several teams before retiring in 2021.
- Alvin Jones: Jones played for Georgia Tech from 1997 to 2001 and was drafted in the second round by Philadelphia in 2001. He played in the NBA until 2002.
- Gani Lawal: Lawal played for Georgia Tech from 2007 to 2010 and was drafted in the second round by Phoenix in 2010. He played in the NBA and overseas.
- Malcolm Mackey: Mackey played for Georgia Tech from 1989 to 1993 and was drafted in the first round by Phoenix in 1993. He played in the NBA until 1994.
- Stephon Marbury: Marbury played for Georgia Tech from 1995 to 1996 and was drafted fourth overall by Milwaukee in 1996. He had a successful NBA career and later played in the Chinese Basketball Association.
- Anthony Morrow: Morrow played for Georgia Tech from 2004 to 2008 and signed with Golden State as a free agent in 2008. He played in the NBA until 2017.
- Craig Neal: Neal played for Georgia Tech from 1983 to 1988 and was drafted in the third round by Portland in 1988. He played in the NBA until 1991.
- Ivano Newbill: Newbill played for Georgia Tech from 1990 to 1994 and signed with Detroit as a free agent in 1994. He played in the NBA until 1998.
- Jim Nolan: Nolan played for Georgia Tech from 1945 to 1949 and was drafted in the second round by Philadelphia in 1949. He played in the NBA until 1950.
- Josh Okogie: Okogie played for Georgia Tech from 2016 to 2018 and was drafted in the first round by Minnesota in 2018. He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
- Brian Oliver: Oliver played for Georgia Tech from 1986 to 1990 and was drafted in the second round by Philadelphia in 1990. He played in the NBA and overseas.
- Mark Price: Price played for Georgia Tech from 1982 to 1985 and was drafted in the second round by Dallas in 1986. He had a successful NBA career, primarily with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Glen Rice, Jr.: Rice Jr. played for Georgia Tech from 2009 to 2012 and was drafted in the second round by Philadelphia in 2013. He played in the NBA and overseas.
- John Salley: Salley played for Georgia Tech from 1982 to 1985 and was drafted in the first round by Detroit in 1986. He had a successful NBA career, winning championships with multiple teams.
- Luke Schenscher: Schenscher played for Georgia Tech from 2001 to 2005 and signed with Denver Nuggets as a free agent in 2005. He played in the NBA and the Australian Basketball League.
- Dennis Scott: Scott played for Georgia Tech from 1987 to 1990 and was drafted fourth overall by Orlando in 1990. He played in the NBA until 2000.
- Iman Shumpert: Shumpert played for Georgia Tech from 2008 to 2011 and was drafted in the first round by New York in 2011. He has played in the NBA for several teams, winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
- Brook Steppe: Steppe played for Georgia Tech from 1979 to 1982 and was drafted in the first round by Kansas City in 1982. He played in the NBA until 1989.
- Fred Vinson: Vinson played for Georgia Tech from 1991 to 1994 and signed with Atlanta as a free agent in 1994. He played in the NBA until 2000.
- Phil Wagner: Wagner played for Georgia Tech from 1965 to 1968 and was drafted in the sixth round by Atlanta in 1968. He played in the ABA.
- Mario West: West played for Georgia Tech from 2003 to 2007 and signed with Atlanta as a free agent in 2007. He played in the NBA and overseas.
- Moses Wright: Wright played for Georgia Tech from 2017 to 2021 and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent. He currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks.
- Thaddeus Young: Young played for Georgia Tech from 2006 to 2007 and was drafted in the first round by Philadelphia in 2007. He has had a long and successful NBA career, playing for several teams and currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
Yellow Jackets Playing Overseas
Many Georgia Tech basketball alumni have also found success playing professionally overseas. Some notable examples include:
- Tony Akins: Akins played for Georgia Tech from 1998 to 2001 and retired in 2020.
- Brandon Alston: Alston played for Georgia Tech from 2017 to 2019 and plays for the Hawkes in New Zealand.
- James Banks III: Banks III played for Georgia Tech from 2018 to 2020 and plays for Soles in the Dominican Republic.
- Michael Devoe: Devoe played for Georgia Tech from 2018 to 2022 and plays for SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels in Germany.
- Ja'von Franklin: Franklin played for Georgia Tech from 2022 to 2023 and plays for Windrose Giants Antwerp in Belgium.
- Marcus George-Hunt: George-Hunt played for Georgia Tech from 2012 to 2016 and plays for Al Riyadi in Lebanon.
- Trae Golden: Golden played for Georgia Tech from 2013 to 2014 and plays for Fujian Sturgeons in China.
- Abdoulaye Gueye: Gueye played for Georgia Tech from 2015 to 2019 and plays for TED Ankara in Turkey.
- Rodney Howard: Howard played for Georgia Tech from 2020 to 2023 and plays for Craiova in Romania.
- Ben Lammers: Lammers played for Georgia Tech from 2014 to 2018 and plays for MoraBanc Andorra in Spain.
- Daniel Miller: Miller played for Georgia Tech from 2010 to 2014 and plays for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japan.
- Khalid Moore: Moore played for Georgia Tech from 2018 to 2022 and plays for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in France.
- Avi Schafer: Schafer played for Georgia Tech from 2017 to 2018 and plays for Mikawa Sea Horses in Japan.
- Adam Smith: Smith played for Georgia Tech from 2015 to 2016 and plays for Split in Croatia.
- Jordan Usher: Usher played for Georgia Tech from 2019 to 2022 and plays for JL Bourg in France.
Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame
The Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs. Several basketball alumni have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, including:
- Kenny Anderson (inducted 2001)
- Drew Barry (inducted 2010)
- Travis Best (inducted 2006)
- Chris Bosh (inducted 2018)
- B.J. Elder (inducted 2017)
- Duane Ferrell (inducted 1995)
- Tom Hammonds (inducted 1996)
- Matt Harpring (inducted 2008)
- Jarrett Jack (inducted 2016)
- Alvin Jones (inducted 2014)
- Malcolm Mackey (inducted 2005)
- Tyaunna Marshall (inducted 2024)
- Brian Oliver (inducted 2000)
- Mark Price (inducted 1991)
- John Salley (inducted 1991)
- Dennis Scott (inducted 2001)
The Hall of Fame also recognizes coaches who have made a significant impact on the basketball program, such as:
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- Agnus Berenato (inducted 2021)
- Bobby Cremins (inducted 2006)
- Jim Culpepper (inducted 2025)
- Paul Hewitt (inducted 2022)
Other Notable Alumni
Beyond basketball, Georgia Tech boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network, including prominent figures in various fields:
- Jimmy Carter: The 39th President of the United States, Carter is a Georgia Tech alumnus.
- Roman Reigns: A professional wrestler and former football player, Reigns attended Georgia Tech.
- Randolph Scott: A renowned film actor, Scott's Hollywood career spanned several decades.
- Dylan Baker: An accomplished actor, Baker has appeared in numerous films and television series.
- Kary Mullis: A biochemist and Nobel Prize laureate, Mullis graduated from Georgia Tech.
- Bobby Jones: An influential figure in golf history and a lawyer, Jones founded the Augusta National Golf Club.
- John Young: An astronaut, naval officer, and test pilot, Young was the ninth person to walk on the Moon.
- David Perdue: A businessman and politician, Perdue served as a United States senator for Georgia.
- Jeff Foxworthy: A comedian, actor, and writer, Foxworthy is known for his "You might be a redneck" jokes.
- Nomar Garciaparra: A former Major League Baseball player and sports commentator, Garciaparra played for the Boston Red Sox and other teams.
- Dean Kamen: An engineer, inventor, and businessman, Kamen is known for inventing the Segway.
- Matt Kuchar: A professional golfer, Kuchar has won several PGA Tour events.
- Mark Teixeira: A former professional baseball first baseman, Teixeira played for the New York Yankees and other teams.
- Christopher Eubanks: A professional tennis player, Eubanks played college tennis for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
- Matt Murton: A former professional baseball outfielder, Murton played in MLB and NPB.
- David Duval: A professional golfer, Duval is a former World No. 1 Golfer.
- James C. McConville: A retired four-star United States Army general, McConville served as the 40th chief of staff of the Army.
- Juan Carlos Varela: A Panamanian businessman and politician, Varela served as the 37th president of Panama.
- Charlie Blackmon: A former professional baseball outfielder, Blackmon spent his entire MLB career with the Colorado Rockies.
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tags: #georgia #tech #basketball #notable #alumni
