atlarehmann

Bogdan Bogdanovic had a lot of help from his Serbian teammates in their 95-86 win over Canada in the FIBA World Cup semifinal.

Center Nikola Milutinov had the game's only double-double inside with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Alexsa Avramovic came off the bench to pester Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with three-quarter court defensive pressure that helped slow Canada's offense.

But make no mistake: Bogi was both&nbsp;the focal point on offense&nbsp;and the overall closer when Canada made their final push in the fourth quarter. Bogdanovic finished with a&nbsp;team-high 23 points (8/12 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. While Avramovic disrupted Canada's flow,&nbsp;Bogdanovic kept Serbia's going&nbsp;against a defense stocked with defenders like Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dwight Powell."I'm so tired right now," Bogdanovic said in his post-game TV interview. "But I'm so happy as well that we won tonight against a team that is amazing, leading with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. We&nbsp;had one guy, Aleksa&nbsp;Avramovic, who&nbsp;was watching his tape – highlights from every game – for the last two&nbsp;days. He&nbsp;said, 'Trust me, I'm going to steal one ball.' And I think he stole two."&nbsp;

Bogdanovic himself had two key steals in the fourth quarter, the second of which led to a layup that gave Serbia a 16-point lead to ice the game with 2:12 remaining.

With the win, Serbia advances to Sunday's World Cup Final against the winner of the USA-Germany semifinal.

"We need to recover," Bogdanovic said. "It's going to be a fun and tough game."

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Serbia Advances to World Cup Final with Bogdanovic at the Helm

ATLANTA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Atlanta Hawks&nbsp;have requested waivers on guard&nbsp;Tyrese Martin, the team announced today.&nbsp;

Martin appeared in 16 games for the Hawks during the 2022-23 season, averaging 1.3 points in 4.1 minutes per contest. He also played in 30 games (28 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League, recording 18.1 points, 8.9rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 33.0 minutes (.502 FG%, .352 3FG%, .784 FT%).

Selected 51st&nbsp;overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Martin was acquired by the Hawks in a draft night trade.

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Atlanta Hawks Request Waivers On Tyrese Martin

The young Hawks are ready to take off in Las Vegas, even though one of their leaders himself is just a teenager.

Nineteen-year-old AJ Griffin is, by comparison, the grizzled NBA veteran ready to lead the Hawks' draftees through NBA 2K24 Summer League 2023. The Hawks will face Sacramento, Denver, Minnesota and Philadelphia as Hawks fans get their first chance to see Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Gueye, and Seth Lundy in a Hawks uniform.

"They're joking around," Griffin said of the rookies. "They're saying stuff like, 'You're a young vet. You're a young vet!' It's crazy to hear that in your second year, but it's just crazy to see how time is really and truly fast."

Griffin also noted that he wants to get extra repetitions of three things during his time in Vegas: being more vocal, ball-handling, and defense. Ball-handling may be a duty that Bufkin, a 6-foot-4 guard whom the Hawks picked with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 Draft, shares with Griffin on the trip.

"I think I'll be doing a bit of both: on- and off-the-ball," Bufkin said. "We have guys like AJ that can play on the ball, and I'm looking forward to seeing what those guys can do."

Even as Griffin fine-tunes his skills, running the offense should be a new wrinkle for him, as he spent most of his rookie season as a shooting guard. For his part, Bufkin only took over running the University of Michigan's offense midway through his second and final season, but Griffin and Lundy both noted the pace with which he plays when the ball is in his hands.

"Kobe's change-of-pace is incredible," Lundy said. "His versatility, his defense – all of the above."

For the rookies, a number of adaptations await. The rules, and the styles and the level of competition all change when the Hawks hit the floor Friday.

Bufkin is going to get to try out his pace-changing skills with the longer three-point line and more spacing.&nbsp;

"You could feel the spacing in some situations, but obviously the people are bigger on this level, so they cover a little bit more of the space," Bufkin said of the Hawks' practices this week. "But you can definitely tell the difference in some situations."

Lundy, whom the Hawks selected in the second round (46th overall), finished sixth all-time in school history at Penn State with 229 career three-pointers while making 40.0 percent of his attempts as a senior. He will be adjusting to bigger, faster defenders, new terminology and even things like the basketball itself.

"The NBA ball definitely feels lighter, and the newer balls don't have any grip, honestly. They get more grip the older that they get," Lundy said. "As soon as the season ended, I started using the NBA ball to get used to it."

Gueye, the 6-foot-11 forward whom the Hawks acquired by trade after the Boston Celtics chose him with the 39th overall pick, brings a little bit of everything to the court: size, shooting, playmaking, defense, and at the same time, that versatility means that he also has learn a lot of things all at once.

"My position, first of all," Gueye said of the adjustments. "The strength, the level of basketball, and the shooting. In college, I was – and I'm still – a great defender, but here you're required to have your hands up all the time, know your closeouts and know everything. It's a different level, for sure."

Griffin had some strong praise for his rookie teammates.

"They all work hard, so that's perfect for the dynamic of our team, just being able to work hard and come here with that mindset of wanting to get better and do extra stuff."

And even though he is the veteran on this trip, he isn't yet sending out his rookies on quests for things like doughnuts and chicken sandwiches.

"I'm going to wait until the other veterans get here," Griffin quipped with a laugh. "The real vets."

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Taking Flight: The Young Hawks Soar in Las Vegas

By: KL Chouinard
When the Hawks roll out their starting lineup and organize their defense, Clint Capela is the keystone. He blocks shots. He alters shots. He gets steals. When an opposing ballhandler gets past the first line of defense, Clint steps up as the second line. In addition to all of that, Capela ends defensive possessions by grabbing rebounds. He does exactly what one expects from a traditional center anchoring a defense in the paint.

Last season, Capela finished sixth in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year. This season, through games played Thursday, he ranks third in the NBA in rebounds per game (12.2) and 14th in blocks (1.3). Clearly, he understood the assignment.

The Hawks also have the second-ranked offense in the NBA: 113.6 points per 100 possessions. When he doesn't have the ball in his hands, Capela does important work screening for Trae Young and rolling to the rim to keep defenses honest. This season, however, Capela has improved most at taking care of the ball when it is in his hands.

185 NBA players have played 1000 or more minutes this season. (Let's use 1000 minutes because we're about two-thirds of the way through the season, and 1500 minutes is the threshold for qualifying for the NBA's end-of-season statistic leaderboards.) Of those 185 players, Capela has the fewest turnovers per 36 minutes: 0.7. He has just 25 turnovers in 1295 minutes!

In short, that's an amazing number. Typically, the players who commit the fewest turnovers are perimeter players who do more shooting than passing – i.e., shooting guards and the occasional small forward. To wit, look at the players at the top of the low-turnover leaderboard with Capela: Reggie Bullock, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Mikal Bridges, Garrison Mathews, Matisse Thybulle, Cam Johnson, and Malik Beasley. It's a list chock full of perimeter players who shoot and score and aren't counted on for a whole lot of playmaking.

There are usually turnovers built into playing the center position. Pick-and-roll passes bounce off hands. Pivot feet slide for travelling whistles. Inside-out passes get deflected in heavy paint traffic. Defenders set up roadblocks to draw offensive charges. Clint has avoided nearly all of it. 

"Last year, I was a little aggressive," he said. "This year, I'm trying to find the guys and just playing really unselfish and making the most simple play."

One particular spot on the floor where Capela has looked more comfortable as a passer has been out behind the free throw line. When teams play switching defenses, John Collins ends up in situations where he wants the ball in the post against a smaller defender. If the defender tries to "front" Collins, Capela steps up with his lofty passing angle.

"Usually, I do that whenever they try to deny (John Collins). Whenever the guard is trying to throw the ball to the post in JC, I come up top to make the triangle pass. My passes have been pretty good too from that angle."

Capela also ranks seventh in the NBA in field-goal percentage: 58.0 percent. He keeps defenders off balance with mix of left-hand and right-hand finishes.

"Yeah, I've always been more comfortable with my left going to the rim. But I'm a right-hand shooter. I actually eat with my left hand. That's what's weird."

In a bit of ambidexterity, Capela writes with his right hand but he learned to eat with his other hand as a kid.

"Whenever we set the table, I've been taught to put the fork on the left and knife on the right. That's how we did it in Switzerland. I remember that at first I was able to do it with both, but I got used to the left." 

Clint can do some eating on the court with that hand, too.

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Clint Has Been Super Careful

ATLANTA – Prior to Saturday evening’s Atlanta Hawks game, the Hawks announced Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen, co-founders of TGS Holdings and The Gathering Spot club, as the sixth recipients of the ‘Forever 404 Honors presented by Sharecare.’ Throughout this season, the Hawks, who are playing in 12 ‘Forever 404’ nights, and Sharecare, the team’s official jersey patch partner, are recognizing 12 local community members who are committed to serving Atlanta and embody a unique combination of cause, culture and community. On these ‘Forever 404’ nights, the Hawks will wear their 2021-22 NIKE NBA City Edition uniforms and play on the corresponding court at State Farm Arena.

Ryan Wilson is the Co-Founder and CEO while TK Petersen serves as the Co-Founder and CFO of The Gathering Spot, a private membership club for diverse creatives, business professionals and entrepreneurs, and the club regularly hosts culturally impactful events. The first club was founded in Atlanta in 2016 and has since expanded to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The duo has been recognized in various national publications for their work with The Gathering Spot such as The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, Essence, Black Enterprise, USA Today and more.

For their efforts with The Gathering Spot, Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen were honored by Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under Forty in 2020, Atlanta Magazine’s Atlanta’s 500 Most Powerful Leaders from 2019 through 2021 and The Root 100 and Ebony 100’s Most Influential African Americans.

Additionally, Ryan Wilson received the John Lewis Emerging Leader Award from the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and was also selected to join the inaugural class of Shea Moisture’s Social Justice Coalition. He currently serves on the boards for Hands on Atlanta, Usher’s New Look, The Woodruﬀ Arts Center, The Atlanta Business League, Committee for a Better Atlanta, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Peace Preparatory Academy.

TK Petersen currently serves as a board member for the Atlanta Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau, Harvard Diversity Project and re:imagine/ATL. He is also an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Recently, TK Petersen oversaw the opening of The Gathering Spot in Washington D.C. and is leading the expansion efforts for a location in Los Angeles as well as the digital expansion of the club.

Sharecare will donate $1,000 to Usher’s New Look Foundation in honor of the impact of Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen in the Atlanta community. In addition to receiving a donation to their organization of choice, each ‘Forever 404’ honoree also will receive four tickets to a Hawks game and a custom-framed Hawks 2021-22 NIKE NBA City Edition jersey.

“Efforts like those led by our ‘Forever 404’ honorees are what make us proud of the legacy and future of Georgia,” said Dawn Whaley, president and chief marketing officer of Sharecare. “These incredible leaders exemplify Sharecare’s mantra that we are ‘all together better,’ and with their fierce dedication to sharing care with those in our communities, they not only forge a brighter future for Georgia, but also inspire us all in this important pursuit.”

In 2017, the Hawks and Sharecare began a multiyear partnership, united by a shared vision for improving health and well-being across Georgia communities. Known as the Sharecare Movement, the collaboration between the Hawks and Sharecare continues to rally people and organizations statewide around community well-being, including social and philanthropic efforts to advance it for all in Georgia.

Learn more about the Hawks’ Forever 404 Honorees by visiting: Hawks.com/Forever.

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Hawks Recognize Atlanta's Own Ryan Wilson & TK Petersen With 'Forever 404 Honors Presented By Sharecare'

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Kevin Knox II and a conditional future first-round pick (Charlotte’s protected first-round pick) from the New York Knicks in exchange for forwards Cam Reddish and Solomon Hill as well as a 2025 second-round pick and cash considerations.

Knox, 22, has played in 194 career games with the Knicks (61 starts), averaging 8.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20.1 minutes and scoring in double-figures 69 times. This season in 12 contests, he’s put in 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 9.2 minutes.

Drafted with the ninth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Knicks, the 6’9 Knox was First-Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 at Kentucky. The former Florida Mr. Basketball attended Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, FL.

Reddish has averaged 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.3 minutes in 118 games (62 starts) since being drafted 10th overall by the Hawks in 2019.

Hill played in 84 games (17 starts) in two seasons with the Hawks, averaging 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 19.7 minutes.

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Hawks Acquire Kevin Knox II And First-Round Pick In Exchange For Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill And Second-Round Pick

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks today announced the signing of shooting guard Wes Iwundu to a 10-day contract. Iwundu will wear No. 24. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Selected by the Orlando Magic with the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Iwundu has appeared in 223 games (50 starts) throughout his NBA career, compiling averages of 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes (.407 FG%, .799 FT%). The 6-6 shooting guard has suited up for the Magic (2017-20), Dallas Mavericks (2020-21) and New Orleans Pelicans (2020-21). He appeared in 10 playoff games with the Magic during the 2019 and 2020 postseasons.

During the 2017-18 season, the Houston, TX native saw action in nine games (all starts), with the Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of Orlando, tallying 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.0 minutes (.392 FG%, .755 FT%).

Iwundu was a four-year player at Kansas State University, appearing in 132 games (123 starts), owning averages of 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.2 minutes (.463 FG%, .338 3FG%, .688 FT%). He was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team twice (2016, 2017) and the Big 12 All-Defensive Team once (2016).

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Hawks Sign Wes Iwundu To 10-Day Contract

ATLANTA – Today, the Hawks Shop, the official team store of the Atlanta Hawks, announced a limited-time in-store retail partnership with WWE. The collaboration celebrates WWE’s first-ever New Year’s Day event, WWE Day 1, which takes place next Saturday, January 1 at the award-winning State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

Available exclusively at the main Hawks Shop across from Gate 2 at State Farm Arena, the limited-edition WWE Championship title dons a massive WWE logo on the front with the option ofcustom Hawks side plate sets, which features the primary Hawks logo. In addition, the Hawks Shop will also be offering “HAWKS 3:16” shirts to purchase, a shirt which pays homage to WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin’s iconic catchphrase. These items will be available to purchase at the Hawks Shop beginning this Monday, Dec. 27 while supplies last.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic entertainment brand to provide Hawks fans with some cool merchandise in the lead up to WWE Day 1,” said Hawks and State Farm Arena Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin. “We believe that this title is the perfect gift for fans who visit State Farm Arena for both Hawks’ and WWE events.”

WWE has a long-standing tradition of creating custom WWE Championship titles as gifts for top athletes and championship-winning franchises around the world. After its debut on social media during the Hawks’ annual Media Day in September, the Hawks and WWE worked together to create a championship perfect for the fan who loves both the Hawks and WWE.

“Steve Koonin and the Hawks organization have done a phenomenal job creating excitement for the events they host at State Farm Arena,” said Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy &amp; Development. “This collaboration aims to provide fans with something that’s a unique crossover between WWE and the great sports and entertainment city of Atlanta. We’re looking forward to a sold-out event next week.”

Limited tickets remain for WWE Day 1, WWE’s first-ever pay-per-view event on New Year’s Day. To secure your ticket and see the list of other upcoming events at State Farm Arena, visit StateFarmArena.com/Events. WWE Day 1 will stream live exclusively on Peacock (8 p.m. ET) in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.