feature

Atlanta Hawks

ATLANTA – Earlier today, the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy surprised more than 65 youth at Lynwood Park in Atlanta to launch the return of the 2022 Community Court Summer Tour. For a second consecutive summer, the tour will surprise more than 1,250 youth with pop-up basketball and fitness activities at existing day camps located at 14 of the Hawks’ community basketball courts.

Throughout the summer, the Hawks will provide a special half-day session for youth, ages six to 16, with a curriculum that focuses heavily on teaching basketball fundamentals and fitness basics with an emphasis on staying physically active, character development and having fun.

“This program is a slam dunk for the Hawks in the community. We are thrilled to provide hundreds of Atlanta’s youth the opportunity to enjoy a safe and memorable basketball experience with us this summer,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Basketball Development Jon Babul. “The community court program provides a fun environment where the next generation of Hawks fans can grow their love of the game while also learning the fundamentals of life.”

The tour will continue throughout June and July at various locations including but not limited to: Ron Anderson Recreation Center, Lynwood Park, Welcome All Park &amp; Multipurpose Facility, Gresham Park, William Walker Rec Center, Bessie Branham Park, Central Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center and Aquatic Center, Coan Park Recreation Center and Westside At-Promise Center.

In April, the Hawks and Microsoft announced a multiyear partnership that aims to provide opportunities and resources in underserved areas of Atlanta through sport, technology and community programming. As part of this partnership, the Hawks and Microsoft will activate STEM and basketball-themed programming for five dates of the Community Court Summer Tour.

In June 2021, the Community Court Summer Tour presented by adidas began to provide a safe, socially distanced and outdoor experience for metro Atlanta youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 750 youth were surprised by the Hawks Basketball Academy as part of the initial tour. Hawks Basketball Academy also launched Hawks at Home in the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an innovative online program created to educate and help youth stay active.

To learn more about camp opportunities and other youth basketball programs with the Hawks, visit HawksBasketballAcademy.com.

hawks-basketball-academy-embarks-on-2022-community-court-summer-tour

Hawks Basketball Academy Embarks on ‘2022 Community Court Summer Tour’

ATLANTA – Atlanta Hawks fourth-year guard Trae Young has been named to the Kia All-NBA Third Team, the NBA announced today. Young is the first Hawks player to be named to an All-NBA team since 2010-11 (Al Horford, Third Team). Voted upon by members of the media, Young is joined on the Kia All-NBA Third Team by Chris Paul, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam and Karl-Anthony Towns.

During the 2021-22 regular season, Young led the NBA in total points (2,155) and total assists (737), joining Nate “Tiny” Archibald as the only player in NBA history to lead both categories in the same season (1972-73). He averaged a career-high in assists per game (9.7), while shooting career bests in field goal percentage (.460), three-point field goal percentage (.382) and free throw percentage (.904), pouring in 28.4 points per game (second-highest clip of his career). His 9.7 assists per game ranked third in the NBA this past season, while his 28.4 points per game and .904 free throw percentage both ranked fourth.

The 6’1 guard is the first player in franchise history to register over 2,100 points and 700 assists in the same season and is one of only six players to do so in NBA history, joining LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Nate “Tiny” Archibald (twice) and Oscar Robertson (six times). Young had the fewest total turnovers (303) among all players who tallied at least 2,100 points and 700 assists in a single season since at least the 1977-78 campaign (when individual turnovers were first tracked), per Elias Sports.

He became the fourth player in franchise history to net over 2,100 points in a single season and the third player to dish out at least 700 helpers. Young set the Hawks single season record for most three-pointers, connecting on 233 from deep, breaking Mookie Blaylock’s record of 231 set during the 1995-96 campaign. Young averaged 3.1 made triples per game, the sixth-most in the NBA this past season.

The NBA’s leader in total points and assists recorded a league-leading 42 point/assist double-doubles during the 2021-22 regular season, tied with Mookie Blaylock (1993-94) for the most such double-doubles in a single season in franchise history. Young recorded 20 outings of 30-or-more points and 10-or-more assists, the most such games in a single season by any player since the 2016-17 campaign. The Oklahoma product became one of just five players in NBA history to notch at least 20 games of at least 30 points and 10 assists in a single season, joining Oscar Robertson (eight times), Nate “Tiny” Archibald (twice), James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Young was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week three times during the 2021-22 regular season (Nov. 29, Jan. 24, April 4), joining Dominique Wilkins as the only Hawks player to win the weekly award three times in the same season. He was also voted as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the second time in his career (2020, 2022). Since the club’s move to Atlanta, Young became only the sixth player in franchise history to start in an NBA All-Star Game multiple times as an Atlanta Hawk, joining Dikembe Mutombo (two starts), Dominique Wilkins (three starts), Eddie Johnson (two starts), Pete Maravich (two starts) and Lou Hudson (three starts).

Young is the 13th player in franchise history to make an All-NBA team, joining Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Dikembe Mutombo, Dominique Wilkins (six times), Kevin Willis, Dan Roundfield, Pete Maravich, Lou Hudson, Bob Pettit (11 times), Cliff Hagan (two times), Slater Martin (three times) and Frankie Brian. He’s only the eighth Hawk in franchise history to be named to an All-NBA team within his first four NBA seasons, joining Horford (fourth season), Wilkins (fourth season), Maravich (third season), Hudson (fourth season), Hagan (second season), Pettit (first season) and Brian (fourth season).

Behind Young’s leadership, the Hawks ranked top-10 in multiple statistical categories this past season: offensive rating (2nd, 115.4), three-point field goal percentage (2nd, .374), made free throws per game (3rd, 18.1), free throw percentage (4th, .812), points per game (6th, 113.9) and field goal percentage (7th, .470).

Over Atlanta’s final 40 regular season games and two NBA Play-In Tournament contests, Young led the Hawks to a 28-14 record, en route to an appearance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the team’s second straight year making the postseason.

hawks-guard-trae-young-named-to-kia-all-nba-third-team

Hawks Guard Trae Young Named to KIA All-NBA Third Team

LONDON AND ABU DHABI,&nbsp;May 10, 2022 -– The National Basketball Association&nbsp;(NBA)&nbsp;and the Department of Culture and Tourism&nbsp;–&nbsp;Abu Dhabi&nbsp;(DCT&nbsp;Abu Dhabi)&nbsp;today announced that the Atlanta Hawks and the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks will play two preseason games at&nbsp;Etihad Arena on Yas&nbsp;Island&nbsp;in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.&nbsp; The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will mark the league’s first games in the&nbsp;United Arab Emirates (UAE) and&nbsp;the Arabian Gulf.

Tickets for The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will go on sale at a later date.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fans can register their interest in receiving more information about&nbsp;The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022,&nbsp;including exclusive pre-sale access and additional benefits, by visiting&nbsp;NBA.com/AbuDhabi.

The Hawks currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young, 2020-21 NBA rebounding leader Clint Capela and 2018 NBA All-Rookie Second Team members John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanović.&nbsp; The Bucks currently feature two-time Kia NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday.&nbsp; The two teams met in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, with the Bucks going on to win their first NBA championship in 50 years.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will be broadcast live in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa on beIN SPORTS, The Sports Channel&nbsp;and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service.&nbsp; The games will reach&nbsp;fans in more than 200 countries and territories around the world on television, digital media and social media.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls ages 11-14 from local schools across Abu Dhabi.&nbsp; The partnership also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at Middle East Film &amp; Comic Con.

The partnership also sees DCT Abu Dhabi, under “Visit Abu Dhabi,” the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’s capital city, serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China.

More than 220 male and female prospects from the Middle East – including five players from the UAE – have participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) or NBA Academy, the league’s elite basketball development programs for top prospects from outside the U.S.&nbsp; Since 2019, more than 500 boys and girls have also participated in the NBA Basketball School Dubai (UAE), a year-round, tuition-based basketball development programme for boys and girls ages 6-18.

“The NBA continues to do an amazing job of growing the game internationally, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the first NBA Abu Dhabi Games.&nbsp; As we look toward the future of the Hawks brand, being recognized as a premier NBA franchise globally is something we aspire to, and we believe the experience for our players and staff to take in the culture in Abu Dhabi will be both incredibly memorable and impactful.”

Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin:

“We are honored to have been selected to participate in the NBA’s first games in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp; As the NBA continues to expand globally, we look forward to visiting Abu Dhabi and furthering the league’s goals of inspiring people through basketball.&nbsp; We will be proud to represent our city, our state and Bucks fans worldwide this October.”

DCT Abu Dhabi Director General H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry:

“We are thrilled to be hosting the UAE’s first NBA games in Abu Dhabi and look forward to welcoming the Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks and basketball fans from across the world to discover this incredible city and experience our authentic Emirati culture for themselves.&nbsp; Basketball has the ability to unite communities, and the spirit of the game will be felt by players and visitors, both on and off the court.&nbsp; The unveiling of the NBA teams marks an important milestone in our wider partnership with this world-class sports organisation.”&nbsp;

NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director Ralph Rivera:

“Bringing the&nbsp;Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks to Abu Dhabi in October is an important milestone in the NBA and basketball’s global growth.&nbsp; In addition to the games, we look forward to engaging fans through a variety of interactive events and giving back to the local community through NBA Cares initiatives and youth development clinics that will teach the sport and its values to young boys and girls.”

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi 

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.  

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. 

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit&nbsp;tcaabudhabi.aeand&nbsp;visitabudhabi.ae&nbsp;For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit&nbsp;inabudhabi.ae

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.&nbsp; Built around five professional sports leagues:&nbsp; the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.&nbsp; NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.&nbsp; NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.&nbsp; The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.&nbsp; Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

hawks-and-bucks-go-head-to-head-in-first-nba-games-in-the-united-arab-emirates

Hawks And Bucks Go Head-To-Head In First NBA Games In The United Arab Emirates

top-team-photos-of-2021-22

Top Team Photos of 2021-22

2022 Pre-Draft Workouts are underway. Check out who is working out:

hawks-2022-pre-draft-workouts

Hawks 2022 Pre-Draft Workouts

NEW YORK, May 3, 2022 -– Fan voting for the 2021-22 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award will begin today on social media at noon ET and conclude on Saturday, May 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET, the NBA today announced.&nbsp; Selected by fans and an NBA executive panel, the seasonlong winner will be announced during the postseason.

The seasonlong award honors a player’s continued commitment to positively impact his community through sustained efforts and difference-making work over the course of the season.&nbsp; The winner will receive the award during a virtual presentation with team, league and Kaiser Permanente officials, and a $75,000 donation from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente will be made on his behalf to an organization of his choosing to commemorate the league’s 75th anniversary season.

Fans can now vote for their preferred seasonlong award nominee via Jebbit, a mobile platform specializing in data collection, where they can view and select videos highlighting each player’s impact.&nbsp; They are also able to vote on Twitter by using #NBACommunityAssist and a player’s handle or #PlayerFirstNameLastName (e.g., #DavidRobinson).&nbsp; Votes cast via Jebbit then reposted on Twitter will count as two separate votes and retweets will also be counted.

The 10 nominees include the offseason winner, six monthly winners and three additional players selected by the NBA for their exceptional community work.&nbsp; The NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities, and honors the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece.&nbsp; The 2021-22 Seasonlong nominees are listed below:

&nbsp;Bismack Biyombo -&nbsp;Phoenix Suns

&nbsp;Robert Covington -&nbsp;LA Clippers

Gary Payton II -&nbsp;Golden State Warriors

Karl-Anthony Towns -&nbsp;Minnesota Timberwolves

To learn more about the NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented&nbsp;by Kaiser Permanente, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/.