NBA Summer League

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Atlanta Hawks

By: Justin Lloyd, our 2025 Sekou Smith Summer League Experience Intern

As the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the hype around Asa Newell didn't quite match the hype surrounding many of his peers, even though he had a strong freshman season at Georgia. Newell finished his lone season with the Bulldogs leading the team in both points (15.4 PPG) and rebounds (6.9 RPG) per game - the first freshman to lead the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding since Jumaine Jones in 1997-98 - while showing glimpses of his raw athleticism, lethal touch near the basket, and an emerging perimeter shooting game.

Standing at 6-11 and being just 19 years old, Newell’s upside has never been in doubt, but many questioned whether he’d be able to contribute right away. After a string of solid Summer League outings, he’s given Hawks fans something to consider.

Beyond his physical tools, Newell’s competitive edge was clear this summer. Newell has competed against high-level athletes for several years now and has built a reputation for doing the little things that impact winning. He credits his experiences playing for both UGA and the powerhouse Montverde Academy program for helping him handle the competitive Summer League environment.

“You’ve got to be a pro before you’re a pro,” said Newell. “Playing with three first-round guys at Montverde (Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen) definitely helped me. But the SEC really prepared me for the physicality.”

Newell’s impact was huge down the stretch of Atlanta’s 111-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. Down by three with a minute and a half left, he secured a crucial steal on defense, immediately followed by an offensive board and a game-tying three-pointer on the other end.

In the following game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Newell would tally four stocks (steals + blocks), including a huge rejection down the stretch that would help the Hawks to pick up a 92-88 win. These are the types of winning plays that Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh raved about in his post-draft press conference.

“The things that he does impact winning,” said Saleh. “People can just look at scoring and box scores, but he really helps with winning and creating a culture for your program.”

Newell’s impact on winning could also be felt through his work grabbing rebounds. He was the leading rebounder of the Hawks Summer League squad, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, and was one of only five players to average at least 13.0 points and 8.0 boards throughout Summer League (min. 4 GP).

Fans also got a glimpse of the player Newell could be on offense. Through four games, he averaged 13.5 points while flexing a .513 FG%. He’s a relentless runner who consistently finds easy buckets near the rim through his hustle in transition, and he also flashed his ability to convert on contested lay-ups.

Newell also shined from three-point territory, knocking down a solid .429% of his shots from behind the arc on 3.5 attempts per game, the fourth-best clip from deep on the Hawks. In the second game of Summer League against the Phoenix Suns, he scored 18 points while shooting 7-9 from the field and 4-5 from three.

“My three-point shot is feeling really good,” said Newell. “I’m really just getting into the flow of things in an NBA system and NBA spacing.”

There’s still work to be done for Newell, and he’s embracing this. If he manages to become stronger, it will likely make him more difficult to contain in transition and a more physical presence on the defensive end. As he continues to improve as a shooter, while sharpening the tools that he already has, his impact on the court is only expected to grow. He and his team already have a plan in place for how he can improve before training camp begins.

If his Summer League performance is any indication, Newell is more than willing to put in the work to become a better player. With his competitive drive and willingness to grow, he’s well on his way to becoming a difference-maker.

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How Asa Newell Quietly Turned Heads This Summer

The Atlanta Hawks today announced their roster for the NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025 in Las Vegas, taking place from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20.

Hawks assistant coach Bryan Bailey will serve as Atlanta’s Summer League head coach. This is the third time Bailey will serve as head coach of a Summer League team, as he was Utah’s head coach in 2021 and 2022 (Salt Lake City). Bailey will be joined by Seth Jackson (College Park Skyhawks assistant coach), Sanjay Lumpkin (Hawks assistant coach), Reggis&nbsp;Onwukamuche (Hawks assistant coach), Jacob Porter (DAV), Ashton Smith (Hawks player development coach), Chris Sosnik (DAV), Ekpe Udoh (Hawks assistant coach) and Conner Varney (DAV).

This summer’s roster includes the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Asa Newell. The University of Georgia product, who was the first freshman to lead Georgia in scoring (15.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg) since Jumaine Jones in 1997-98, earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors four times during the 2024-25 campaign, matching Anthony Edwards’ program record set in 2019-20. Nikola Đurišić, Dwight Murray Jr., and Hawks two-way forward Jacob Toppin, all of whom spent time with the College Park Skyhawks during the 2024-25 season, will join Newell on this summer’s team. Third-year guard Kobe Bufkin will also suit up for the Hawks this summer. 

Atlanta will open its NBA 2K26 Summer League play on Friday, July 11 against the Miami Heat on ESPN2 and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast.

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Hawks Announce NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025 Roster

By Deondre Jones, 2024 Sekou Smith Summer League Experience Intern

The NBA Summer League is a crucial platform for young and aspiring NBA players, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their talents and develop their skills in a highly competitive environment. For the Atlanta Hawks NBA 2K25 Summer League team, the inclusion of eight players from their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, signifies a significant investment in homegrown talent.&nbsp;

Rob Baker II, Jordan Bowden, Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Gueye, Jarkel Joiner, Keaton Wallace, Emmitt Matthews Jr., and Miles Norris make up the group of Skyhawks on the Hawks Summer League roster.

The NBA Summer League serves as a developmental tournament where players can gain exposure to NBA-level competition, enhance their skills, and make a case for their inclusion on a regular season roster.

For the College Park Skyhawks players, this opportunity is particularly valuable. The transition from the NBA G League to the NBA is challenging, but Summer League provides a bridge that allows players to acclimate to the heightened level of play and the physicality needed to withstand the competitiveness of the NBA.

“The biggest difference I’ve noticed between Summer League and G League play is the speed. Summer League is definitely faster; the pace is unbelievable,” said newly-signed Hawks two-way guard Keaton Wallace.

Wallace, coming off a season where he averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in College Park, is using the Summer League to expand his strengths and continue his development.

Second-year Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye returned to Summer League this summer to sharpen some of his skills. He has also embraced a "big brother" role, providing guidance and support to the rookies and younger players on the team.

“I’m a little more experienced now after being around both the League and G League so it was only right. I took my guys under my wing and kind of showed them the way,” Gueye said.

“In Summer League, you’re playing off your instincts because the game is so fast, you don’t have time to think about every decision,” Skyhawks forward Rob Baker II said.

Baker II, coming off a solid season in which he averaged 14.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 29 games for College Park. Baker is also an Atlanta-area native, so anytime he gets to wear the Hawks jersey, it’s even more special.

Under Ryan Schmidt last season, the Skyhawks took great pride in their defensive prowess. Nicknamed the “Incubator” because of the team’s ability to teach strong defensive principles to a young roster that had plenty of activity throughout the season, the Skyhawks achieved their best defensive season in the franchise’s history last season.&nbsp;Anchoring this effort were guards Jarkel Joiner and Keaton Wallace, whose tenacity and skill set the tone for the team’s defensive intensity. Their ability to disrupt opponents, force turnovers, and guard the perimeter made the Skyhawks a formidable force on the defensive end.

Other players on the roster such as Emmitt Matthews Jr., Miles Norris, and Jordan Bowden have seamlessly carried over their chemistry to Las Vegas. Their time spent as teammates with College Park has clearly forged a deep bond both on and off the court.

As we look ahead to the final two games, this group will be able to showcase the defense and chemistry they harnessed in College Park.

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The Atlanta Hawks Summer League Team: A Stepping Stone for College Park Skyhawks Players

By Deondre Jones, our 2024 Sekou Smith Summer League Intern

The Atlanta Hawks are set to tip-off their NBA 2K25 Summer League 2024 play with high hopes and higher energy. As the team takes the court on Friday night, fans can look forward to seeing emerging talents and new acquisitions showcasing their skills in front of a nationally-televised audience. Zaccharie Risacher: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft comes to the Hawks fresh off being named the 2023-24 French League Best Young Player. Standing at 6’9 and weighing 215 pounds, coming off a season where he played 55 games and known for his shooting ability, Risacher has quickly made a name for himself with his versatility on the court. His exceptional footwork, court vision, and defensive instincts make him a formidable player on both ends of the floor, earning comparisons to some of the NBA’s elite forwards. Mouhammed Gueye: Making his return for his second Summer League, Gueye brings valuable experience and the presence of a second-year player. His return to Summer League is anticipated to provide leadership and a steady influence to the team, leveraging his experience from last season to guide and support the younger players.

Nikola Đurišić: The No. 43 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Hawks acquired his draft rights in a three-team trade on the second night of this year’s draft. Đurišić is known for his versatility as a playmaking wing. Standing 6’8, he combines solid ball-handling skills with the ability to create plays for himself and his teammates. His strengths include his playmaking in pick-and-roll situations, effective finishing at the rim, and his potential as a three-level scorer. Đurišić has also shown significant improvement in his three-point shooting.&nbsp;E.J. Liddell: Newly acquired Hawk E.J. Liddell is joining the team for Summer League. Liddell, recently acquired by the Hawks, brings athleticism, shot-blocking, and versatility to the team. Coming off a strong season in the NBA G League, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.Jarkel Joiner: Joiner is set to play in the 2024 NBA Summer League for the Atlanta Hawks. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Joiner joined the Hawks' NBA G League affiliate the College Park Skyhawks. During his first professional season, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game.Rob Baker: The Atlanta-area native joins the Hawks 2024 Summer League roster. After a strong season in the NBA G League with the College Park Skyhawks averaging 14.7 points, and 6.5 rebounds, Baker is looking to further improve his game while representing his hometown team.

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2K25 NBA Summer League Preview

Fans will get their first glimpse of No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher in a Hawks uniform as he helps Mo Gueye and Nikola Đurišić tackle a five-game slate that begins against the Washington Wizards at 9:30 PM ET Friday.

"They're really exciting to play with," Gueye said of Risacher and Đurišić. "Nico can pass the ball from wherever, and Zacch is just a hooper. He can shoot, pass – he can do a little bit of everything."

Đurišić added that Risacher has had an impact on both ends of the floor in their pre-Vegas practices.

"(Zacch) shoots the ball like crazy," he said. "He can hit some wild shots – and block some shots as well and play defense."

The respect among the young Hawks was mutual. Đurišić said that the second-year players have helped him.

"It's been great, honestly," he said. "I've been asking (Kobe and Mo) questions about what to expect, what to do. They've been really helpful. They embraced me from the first moment. They're good guys."

For Risacher and Đurišić, the path to Summer League has been a bit of a whirlwind. They will be taking the court just 16 days after the conclusion of the NBA Draft, following a long European season and an extensive pre-draft process.&nbsp;

The learning curve can be steep. Đurišić said that he has tried to make the quick adjustment to the longer three-point line, as well as new teammates and changes in the terminology and style of play.

"Sometimes they've said something, and I'm like, 'Huh? I don't understand you,'" he said with a&nbsp;smile. "Sometimes they have to rephrase it for me. I'll catch on."

Đurišić doesn't seem too concerned. "Basketball is still basketball."

If the Hawks rank among the top-four teams after their first four games, the fifth game will be a semifinal for the right to play for the championship. Risacher sounds excited for his team's test in Vegas.

"I think that we're competitors, and that's the main thing here. We want to win games," he said. "It's a very exciting moment, and I'm super excited to be here."

NBA Summer League

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