Atlanta Hawks to work out 6-foot-9 former NCAA champion

For the Atlanta Hawks’ third round of pre-draft workouts, general manager Landry Fields and co. are bringing in a champion.

The Hawks have had 12 players in for pre-draft workouts, mostly consisting of later-round prospects and others projected to go undrafted.

This time, they are bringing in several players from Power 5 conferences including former Baylor and Illinois forward Matthew Mayor, a 6-foot-9 tweener with an ability to stretch the floor shooting 34.35 from beyond the arc over the last four seasons.

Matthew Mayer – F – Illinois – 6-foot-9 – 225lbs

Mayer averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 assists for the Illini last season as a fifth-year senior. He shot 40.7% from the floor, 33.0% from beyond the arc, and 74.1% from the free throw line. He had a strong close to the regular season averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 boards, 1.7 blocks, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals over the final six games.

But he had a dud of a postseason with 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.

Still, the 2022-23 All-Big Ten selection offers a unique combination of size and skill.

The concerns start with Mayer’s age – he will turn 24 in September – and include his waning efficiency over his final two collegiate seasons. Mayer shot just 40.8% overall and 32.9% on three in that span after winning a National Championship with the Bears in 2020-21.

Mayer won on the biggest stage but he is not the most decorated player attending Wednesday’s workout.

Kevin Obanor – F – Texas Tech – 6-foot-8 – 225lbs

Like Mayer, Texas Tech’s Kevin Obanor is a fifth-year senior. And, while he never won a championship in Lubbock, he did earn two All-Summit Conference selections and a pair of All-Summit Conference Tournament honors as well during three seasons at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Obanor averaged 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Red Raiders last season falling just shy of 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals as well. His final season at Oral Roberts saw him average 18.7 points 9.6 boards, and 1.1 assists.

Even more encouraging, Obanor can stretch the floor, shooting 33.3% in two seasons with Texas Tech and even knocking down 46.3% of his triples in 2020-21.

Obanor earned a spot on the All-Summit Freshman Team, was the Summit Freshman of the Year, and was the conference Sixth Man of the Year.

He had 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Tech’s Conference Tourney loss.