The Atlanta Hawks were one of four NBA teams to play three summer league games in Salt Lake City, Utah, this offseason.
Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor, Atlanta's two 2026 first-round selections, started and played significant roles in the first two contests. The Hawks rested both rookies and second-year forward Asa Newell in their final game before they headed out to Las Vegas for the main event.
Now, the whole NBA world shifts its attention to Las Vegas, where all 30 teams will compete. However, Hawks fans already got a sneak peek at the team's exciting rookies, and both players displayed skill sets that can help Atlanta continue to build a contending roster.
Kingston Flemings put his playmaking on full display
The 2026 draft lottery was filled with elite guard talent. Six of the first 10 selections were made to bolster teams' backcourts. As a result, Flemings enters the league under pressure to stand out amongst his peers, and he certainly showed that with his playmaking in Salt Lake City.
One of Flemings' biggest strengths at the University of Houston was his ability to run an offense as the lead ball handler. He thrived in this same role for the Hawks against the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder to begin the summer league.
The 19-year-old dished out 14 assists over the two contests compared to just two turnovers. Atlanta's offense ran more smoothly with Flemings on the floor because he reads the game better than most players his age.
The Hawks got off to a slow offensive start against the Thunder on July 6. They shot just 3-of-16 from the field in the first quarter and trailed 11-26. However, Atlanta put together a strong 15-2 run to close the half and get back in the game.
Flemings scored or assisted on five of the Hawks' six scoring plays heading into the break. A few minutes before halftime, Atlanta was a +1 with its lottery pick on the floor and a shocking -18 with him on the bench.
Hard to describe how bad the Hawks have been any time Flemings leaves the court.
— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) July 6, 2026
But one way to do it would be to note that Atlanta is +1 with him and -18 without him in the first half.
Zuby Ejiofor showed shooting potential and dominance on the glass
Ejiofor starts his NBA career with a strong defensive reputation. Hawks President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh noted that Ejiofor can switch one through five, and the big man showed it throughout both games, stopping guards and wings alike from blowing by him.
However, his rebounding dominance and willingness to shoot threes stood out in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Ejiofor pulled down double-digit boards in both games. He had 11 rebounds (seven offensive) against the Jazz on July 4 with eight points, but his best performance came against fellow rookie Aday Mara and Oklahoma City. Ejiofor dropped a monster 19-point, 15-rebound double-double against the Thunder and dominated the 7-foot-3 Mara with his physicality.
He utilized his rare combination of speed, strength, and athleticism to beat Mara down the floor and get inside positioning. The former St. John's University prospect also shot 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, which gave the Hawks more half-court spacing.
Ejiofor only attempted 1.6 threes per game in his final college campaign. However, if he continues to shoot like this, his offensive game will reach an entirely new level.
The Hawks' first Las Vegas Summer League game tips off on July 9 at 4:30 p.m. ET. After resting in the last contest, expect Ejiofor and Flemings to suit up against the San Antonio Spurs.
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