The Atlanta Hawks G League affiliate the College Park Skyhawks ended last season as one of the hottest teams in their league last season. They had a tremendous core group of players who took them from struggling at the start of the season into the playoffs in the final few days.
Cat Barber was a tremendous point guard who even gave the Hawks a Sharife Cooper problem. It was his leadership and guidance of the team which made all of the difference. Justin Tillman also played like a man possessed after he was called up to the Hawks squad but did not play a minute of game time.
While these two were the leaders of the team, they did get some good contributions from other players which is crucial for any team’s success. Three of these players were named to Team USA to represent their country in the upcoming men’s World Cup qualifying games against Uruguay and Colombia.
The Atlanta Hawks are well represented by the Skyhawks in Team USA.
Malik Ellison played 25 games for the Skyhawks last season, averaging 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game. He was more of a glue guy for the Skyhawks and it is so good to see Team USA giving a solid player like Ellison an opportunity.
DaQuan Jeffries started last season out strongly but injuries limited him to just 16 games. He made good in those games though, averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 25.8 minutes per game. His explosive game is going to be one to watch in this team.
The last player is eight-year NBA veteran Langston Galloway who joined the Skyhawks last season. There was a possibility that Galloway could have played for the Hawks last season, such was the injury and illness crisis for the varsity squad.
After coming late to the Skyhawks last season, Galloway played 24 games, averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and a steal in 32.1 minutes per game. His steady play will help the USA team easily get past their two opponents for the qualifiers.