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Atlanta Hawks: 5 best non-lottery first-round picks in team history

By Joshua Buckhalter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

Atlanta Hawks best non-lottery first-round pick No. 2: Alan Henderson was had a strong final college season

Alan Henderson experienced quite the career at Indiana under the tutelage of legendary head coach, Bobby Knight, including reaching the Final Four in 1992. He was a double-digit scorer all four seasons, but took things to a different level over his final two seasons and, in particular as a senior.

The 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward averaged 20.7 points and 10.0 rebounds while also chipping in 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals as well. He averaged 10.3 boards as a junior and 23.5 points as a senior.

Atlanta made him the 16th-overall pick in 1995.

As a rookie, he put up just 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds but took off in year three. Henderson had a 14.3/6.4/1.1 line as the Hawks went on to finish fifth in the East and lose in the first round.

Unfortunately, like those Hawks teams, Henderson had peaked and would see his points per game fall virtually every season until he last played in 2007. After the team acquired Shareem Adbur-Raheem, Henderson’s role dwindled. He was ultimately traded to the Dallas Mavericks along with fellow disgruntled teammate, Jason Terry.

The former Hoosier did start all 82 games in 99-00 season, but that team won just 28 games.

In many ways, Henderson’s arrival signaled the beginning of the Hawks run of just falling short. First in the playoffs, and then later in the draft as they tried to build their next contender. It would take them three years to turn themselves back into a playoff team after moving on.

Henderson spent his final three seasons between the Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

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