Overview
- The Atlanta Hawks used the No. 8 overall pick obtained in a prior trade with New Orleans Tuesday night to select University of Houston point guard Kingston Flemings.
- Flemings averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in his lone college season and posted eye‑catching combine numbers including a 40.5-inch max vertical and a 2.69-second shuttle.
- Flemings said he is "ready to work for Atlanta" and has voiced Rookie of the Year ambitions while also acknowledging he needs to add weight for the pro game.
- Atlanta also used its first‑round No. 23 pick on St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor and later added a 7‑foot center, reshaping the roster while leaving short‑term frontcourt size as a question.
- The pick frames a clear long‑term plan: develop Flemings behind veteran CJ McCollum, monitor his physical growth and finishing work in summer league, and expect the Hawks to pursue more size if needed.