The Atlanta Hawks have been dominant in Summer League.
Going into the festivities, Atlanta had one of the strongest rosters on paper. So far, that has paid dividends as the Hawks are 3-0.
Summer League is not necessarily about wins and losses, but more about player performances. In the grand scheme of things, a few Summer League games will never be a true indication of how good or bad a player might end up being.
Nevertheless, Summer League offers players a chance to earn roster spots and rookies a chance to make a great first impression. With how well Atlanta has played this summer, there are bound to be a few standout players.
Zuby Ejiofor Is Proving Skeptics Wrong
One of the least popular picks on draft night was the Hawks’ selection of Zuby Ejiofor from St. John’s. In fact, NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor said Ejiofor was the “worst pick of the first round.”
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The reality is Ejiofor had a monster year at St. John’s. He won the Big East Player of the Year, the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award for the best Center in the country.
Ejiofor has been nothing short of impressive so far. In the Utah Summer League, he scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Aday Mara and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Against the Brooklyn Nets, Ejiofor scored 13 points and added two steals and three blocks, finishing +19 in 27 minutes.
While he may be undersized for a center, Ejiofor makes up for it with his physicality and hustle on both ends. He has a high motor and a nose for getting rebounds — an area where Atlanta struggled last season.
During the 2024-2025 season, Ejiofor averaged 8.1 rebounds per game. Interestingly enough, he averaged more offensive rebounds (4.4) than defensive rebounds (3.7). The last player to accomplish this feat was Steven Adams in the 2018-2019 season.
Kingston Flemings Is a Leader
If the Hawks were looking for a pure playmaker, there wasn’t a better option than Kingston Flemings. While other guards in this class are known for scoring, Flemings is finding ways to impact the game without scoring the ball.
The shooting hasn’t been there for him, but that isn’t discouraging Flemings from making his mark in the playmaking department. Through three Summer League games, Flemings dished out 22 assists while only turning the ball over three times.
Naturally, that trend was bound to be broken as Flemings had five assists and six turnovers versus the Nets. Despite the off-night, Flemings proved that he can command an offense. He’s a master in the pick-and-roll and will always look to get his teammates the ball before trying to score himself.
Perhaps the most impressive quality Flemings possesses is leadership.
“Hey, everyone, keep eyes on me. If they blitz me, be ready to flash,” Flemings said to his teammates.
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In trying to lead his team to wins, Flemings has taken on a leadership role, both with his voice and his playstyle. While the shooting hasn’t been as reliable, his playmaking skills will keep Flemings in this league for a long time.
Kobe Johnson Is Making the Most of His Hawks Summer League Opportunity
After going undrafted last season, Kobe Johnson, the younger brother of Hawks star Jalen Johnson, signed an Exhibit 10 contract. He played well enough to earn a roster spot with the College Park Skyhawks—Atlanta’s G League affiliate.
Last season, Johnson averaged 15.7 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38.3% from three. His good season has carried over to the Summer League, where Johnson has been a standout.
With Flemings, Ejiofor and Asa Newell all sitting out, Johnson stepped up and scored 30 points on 79.4% true shooting to lead the Hawks over the Boston Celtics.
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He also has a 17-point game and an 11-point game to boot. With how he has played, Johnson could be in the running for a two-way spot as Atlanta looks to finalize its roster before the start of next season.
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