2019 NBA Draft: For Atlanta Hawks, John Konchar Could Be Undrafted Steal

A quick peek at a relatively unheard-of prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft that the Atlanta Hawks should definitely ponder selecting late in the second round or plucking from obscurity in the undrafted free agent ranks.

With an inspiring six pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks are certainly in an enviable position in a draft that has been deemed “weak” throughout much of the pre-draft process. Seemingly, Hawks GM Travis Schlenk disagree with this notion, and is likely playing into the dislike of this class by scooping up as many picks as he can therein.

One such player that is getting relatively little shine, other than from, say, draft guru Brian Schroeder, is Purdue-Fort Wayne’s senior swingman John Konchar.

Now, some of you might be saying: “I’m sorry – who?” But those in the know are well aware of the exploits that Summit League Conference superstar Konchar produced during his four-year career with the Mastodons (one of the best team name/mascots in the entire NCAA).

More from Soaring Down South

• Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
• Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
• When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
• Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
• Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal

Konchar brings an extremely well-rounded offensive skill set to the NBA, and it is one that the Atlanta Hawks should definitely examine ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Though Konchar was not featured on our “best rim finishers” article, he produced a rock-solid 70.2 percent clip at the rim, which accounted for 45.8 percent of his shots per Bart Torvik. Only 27.6 percent of those were assisted, showing that Konchar’s high 25.9 percent usage rate per Sports Reference was no fluke.

Konchar was generally extremely efficient in his senior season at PFW, and per Sports Reference, he did something that only 11 other players have done in the past 10 years in NCAA Men’s Basketball: Konchar produced a player efficiency rating higher than 30, a true shooting percentage above 60 percent and produced over 700 points via scoring and assists.

On that list are brilliant college players (Jimmer Fredette, Mike Daum, Doug McDermott, Jock Landale), other 2019 NBA Draft prospects (Ja Morant, Chris Clemons) and one notable superstar (Damian Lillard).

Per KenPom, Konchar finished in the top 100 in the country in a wide variety of statistics, showcasing his all-around skill set that would make for a spicy steal for the Atlanta Hawks upon the completion of the 2019 NBA Draft. Konchar was 96th in true shooting percentage (62.3%), 92nd in two-point field goal percentage (62.4%), 82nd in steal rate (3.3%) and 76th in assist rate (30%).

Clearly, Konchar plays the game the right with extreme effectiveness, and because he is widely unknown to the masses, drafting Konchar late in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft or nabbing him in the undrafted player pool would be a terrific boon for the Atlanta Hawks.

Lastly, any Atlanta Hawks prospect must be able to shoot from downtown, and Konchar certainly showed the ability to do that throughout his career. Per Sports Reference, Konchar is a career 41.6 three-point shooter on a 34 percent attempt rate. Perhaps more notably, only 57.8 percent of those in his senior season were assisted – showcasing an impressive ability to create offense off the dribble.

At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, there’s a lot to like about John Konchar, so let’s hope the Atlanta Hawks feel the same way about this high-floor, high-IQ guard in the 2019 NBA Draft.