The Best Atlanta Hawks Player At Each Jersey Number

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 21: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket past Taurean Prince #2 of the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA basketball game on December 21, 2019 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Nets won 122-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

#11: Trae Young

In his two years in the league, Trae Young has shown the potential of becoming the best player in Hawks’ history. He’s a true offensive superstar and one of the best passers in the league as well. The 21-year-old is already great and has a ton of room to grow.

Other Candidates: Jamal Crawford

#12: Taurean Prince

Despite being a very popular number in the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks haven’t had a lot of greats wear number 12. Taurean Prince, who spent three years in Atlanta, wins by default, and to be fair, he did have his moments during the darkest parts of the team’s rebuild.

Other Candidates: Mike Farmer

#13: Dwight Jones

Dwight Jones had a solid 10-year career as a role player and started that journey in Atlanta. His first three years came in a Hawks #13 jersey, averaging over ten points per game in the last two.

Other Candidates: Boris Diaw

#14: Lenny Wilkens

One of the few people to be inducted to the Hall of Fame twice (as a player and coach), Lenny Wilkens played eight seasons with the St. Louis Hawks before coming back to coach the Atlanta Hawks during the nineties.

Other Candidates: Zelmo Beaty, Charlie Criss

#15: Al Horford

Some Atlanta Hawks have yet to forgive Al Horford, which is a bit silly. Horford was an absolute stud during his nine years as a Hawk, making four All-Star teams and an All-NBA team. He’s the fifth-best Hawk of all-time by both win shares and VORP metrics.

Other Candidates: Richie Guerin, Vince Carter

#16: Cliff Hagan

I was planning on giving number 16 to someone else since I gave Hagan number 6, but once again, the competition was weak. Hagan played the majority of his career donning 16, so it works out.

Other Candidates: none

#17: Dennis Shröder

Dennis Schröder was put in a tough spot during his time in Atlanta, working as a backup to Jeff Teague during the team’s successful seasons and then was given the keys for just one season before they blew it up and started over. Schröder was an explosive scorer and easily the best player on the ‘17-’18 team.

Other candidates: Chico Vaughn

#18: Richie Guerin

Richie Guerin worked as both a player and coach of the Hawks for a handful of seasons, although his play on the court was weaker in St.Louis than it was in New York. He only wore number nine for one season, but what I am supposed to do? Give it to the second-best Plumlee brother?

Other candidates: Miles Plumlee

#19: Richie Guerin

Oh yeah, he also wore number 19 for two seasons. Only six Hawks ever has worn this number, the rarest number in the teens.

Other candidates: Hub Reed

#20: John Collins

John Collins has exceeded all expectations since entering the league as the 19th overall pick and has formed a very solid duo with Trae Young. He should be a building block of this team moving forward.

Other Candidates: Ed Macauley