Soaring Down South
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3 Atlanta Hawks Draft Prospects We Wished We Saw in March Madness

By Dallin Duffy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans plays against the Utah Utes at Galen Center on January 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans plays against the Utah Utes at Galen Center on January 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
AUBURN, AL – JANUARY 22: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers battles Justin Minaya #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the game at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Isaac Okoro

Isaac Okoro’s name has been paired with the Atlanta Hawks on more than a few mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why.  Atlanta already has a handful of young players with upside, and Okoro is seen as a more pro-ready wing, one who brings defensive help that the Hawks desperately need.

Okoro’s high motor and defensive intensity will make him a top-ten pick, and those skills alone could make him worth a selection. He can become a truly elite role player, but to become a star he’ll need to find a jumper.

He averaged 12.7 points per game for Auburn as a freshman, shooting 51 percent from the field. Most of those shots came inside and on looks created by his teammates. Okoro did find some success with his mid-range shot but shot less than 30 percent when stepping behind the arch.

According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Auburn was set to be a #5 seed in the tourney, and Okoro could have helped the Tigers make another run to the Final Four with his solid defense and athletic prowess.

Because of his ability to make an instant impact on D, Atlanta should have Okoro on their board, even if some other players will have a higher ceiling overall.