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Georgia Tech Basketball: Former Jacket Josh Okogie has big opening night

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 22: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 22: Josh Okogie #20 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Josh Okogie had a big night for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minnesota’s 127-126 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Former Georgia Tech basketball star Josh Okogie is entering his second year in the NBA and if Wednesday night’s opening action was any indication, Okogie is in for a big season. The Snellville, Georgia native was an integral part to the Minnesota Timberwolves’s 127-127 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

On Wednesday night, Okogie’s biggest challenge was going to be, being responsible for guarding Brooklyn’s star point guard Kyrie Irving when on the court. Now, Irving was spectacular on Wednesday night with 50-points but when Okogie was on the court, he was a lot quieter.

In 14 minutes of play in the game, Okogie had a +22 plus/minus while on the court. He also had the Timberwolves top player efficiency rating of the night with a 39.2 rating, better than star center Karl Anthony-Towns who had a rating of 37.9. Okogie also had two defensive rebounds in the game.

The play of the game defensively for Okogie came down to Brooklyn’s final possession when the second-year guard had to find a way to disrupt Irving from hitting a game winning shot. Okogie was able to do just that, causing the star point guard to stumble before he got off a last second shot. While the shot went off the rim, it took a Minnesota bounce and gave the Timberwolves the win. The minor disrupt was just enough to throw Irving’s timing off on the shot. Not every play will be pretty on defense but the only that matters if the ball goes through the net.

Now, while he was great on defense on Wednesday night, he was equally as great and effective on offense. In his 14 minutes on the court, Okogie 11 points and three assists.

Okogie was 2-for-5 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage for the evening was .646 and his offensive box plus-minus was a phenomenal 15.6 which once again led the team.

Next. Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets add to 2020 class with SG Tristan Maxwell. dark

Last season as a rookie for Minnesota, Okogie averaged 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. His field goal shooting percentage was lower than expected at just 38.6% but if Wednesday night was any indication, it could be a strong year for the 21-year old guard.