Hawks Build Culture with Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor Picks

There might have been one hundred rumors surrounding the Atlanta Hawks leading up to the NBA Draft. Some were connecting them to star players on the trade block like Jaylen Brown and Trey Murphy. Others suggested they only wanted to pick once in the first round despite owning two selections.

But like most chatter leading up to the draft, it was all smoke. The Hawks stood pat and took Houston PG Kingston Flemings with the 8th pick and then selected St. Johns PF/C Zuby Ejiofor in the back half of the first round — both guys that could find themselves contributing immediately on a team with aspirations of seriously competing in the Eastern Conference.

Barring another significant acquisition, Flemings will almost certainly step in and become the Hawks’ starting point guard. Atlanta really doesn’t have another option on the roster, and even if they did, it’s unlikely he’d come with as much talent and upside as the former Houston Cougar.

Flemings’ calling cards are his defense and quickness. He compares himself to the likes of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Maxey, while others believe he’s reminiscent of former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. His first step to the rim is almost impossible to guard one-on-one and his strength and athleticism give him the ability to finish in a multitude of ways around the rim.

However, what might be most impressive about his offensive game is his patience. Flemings was a freshman playing in the ultra-competitive Big 12 Conference, but you’d be hard-pressed to find many moments where he was out of control. He’s a true floor general that lets the game come to him, turning the ball over less than two times per game.

Defensively, Flemings and Dyson Daniels have the opportunity to become one of the most menacing duos in the NBA. You don’t start under Kelvin Sampson as a freshman unless you’re prepared to give max effort on the defensive end for the full 40 minutes. Flemings has the will, quickness, and strength to immediately become a nightmare for opposing guards from the moment he steps on an NBA floor.

Ejiofor — though in a different body type, standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 240 pounds — is cut from the same cloth. There might not be a player across college basketball that played harder than he did when he was on the floor, featuring active hands on the defensive end that paired with a terrific ability to defend the rim.

It’s hard for me to avoid Draymond Green comparisons when watching Ejiofor — both undersized from a height perspective but can defend much bigger because of their weight, strength, and overall relentless pressure. But the comparisons don’t stop on the defensive end. Ejiofor is an unbelievable passer for a player his size, averaging 3.5 assists per game this past season in just 30 minutes, and like Green, he doesn’t quite have a reliable jump shot… yet.

That’s something I’m sure the Hawks will get straight to work with him on once he enters the building. Ejiofor shot just over 30% from beyond the arc as a senior on 1.6 attempts per game. He doesn’t ever have to be a sniper from deep, but if he can at least keep defenses honest, it will take his game to the next level. I don’t think it’s a secret why the Hawks might have been higher on him than most, given Onsi Saleh spent a lot of time with Golden State watching the impact Draymond Green had on the Warriors.

The Hawks’ first-round picks share some similar traits, but the one that pops off the page is their effort — a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. These are culture-building selections that also have the talent to immediately contribute to what the Hawks are building.

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(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)