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Atlanta Hawks: Stars flood draft workouts for June 16th

By Justin Hodges

Jan 12, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) goes to the basket as Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) defends during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 83-78. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) goes to the basket as Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) defends during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 83-78. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Friday’s workouts contain some major college basketball stardom.


As previously reported here, Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame will be working out with the Atlanta Hawks today. Blossomgame had one of the best career’s of any player in Clemson’s history, and has the potential to be a wonderful second round steal.

Two members of the 2017 AP First Team All American group will be working out with the Atlanta Hawks today as well.

Atlanta Hawks
Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after three-point shot against Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Conference Tournament Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Hart, a 6’5″ 205 pound two guard, was an absolute superstar at Villanova. He was a vital part of their team that won the 2016 National Championship and personally took over the stage in 2017. Hart averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game in route to being the Big East Player of the year.

Hart is a player that plays with downright heart and effort, part of the reason he was such a special college player. He has a solidly strong upper body and has loads of toughness. This is a player that, without a doubt, will be in the NBA.

Atlanta Hawks
Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Caleb Swanigan was the best big man in all of college basketball this season. The sophomore sensation averaged 18.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He shot 52.7% from the field, 44.7% from three and 78% from the free throw line.

Aside from just being a physically imposing prescience at 6’9″ 260 pounds but Swanigan is just so skilled for a big. The Hawks will see this first hand in their workouts today, and maybe will take a chance with him at pick 31.

Atlanta Hawks
Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson (21) knocks the ball away from Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) in front of Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Two former Duke Blue Devils are working out with the Atlanta Hawks today as well, just not the ones you may expect.

Amile Jefferson was a five-year player at Duke due to previous injuries. Throughout his technical two seasons as a senior he was phenomenal. Manning the center position down low for them Jefferson averaged 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game shooting 62.8% from the field.

Matt Jones personified the 3&D role for Duke in his four-year career in Durham. In his collegiate career Jones, a 6’5″ two guard, converted more three pointers than two pointers hitting 170-349 (37%) for his career. Both of these players will likely be un-drafted free agents.

Atlanta Hawks
Mar 2, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) looks to pass during the game with the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

The final member of today’s workouts is Iowa star Peter Jok. A 6’6″ guard Jok took over as Iowa’s top player as a junior and has been fabulous ever since. In his senior season Jok averaged 19.9 points per game while shooting 38% from three and 91% from the free throw line.