The Atlanta Hawks have given one of their G League prospects a shot at the big leagues. 10 days after they waived Seth Lundy, the Hawks filled their vacant two-way spot with 26-year-old forward Daeqwon Plowden.
Plowden has averaged 14.2 points and 27.8 minutes in 14 games with the College Park Skyhawks this season, shooting 38.5% from three on 6.5 3-point attempts per game. The third-year pro has spent all of his young career in the G League, and he will finally get an opportunity to make a splash at the highest level.
Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was one of the first to confirm Plowden’s Dec. 27 signing with the Hawks, reporting on the two-way deal soon after its announcement.
“The 26-year-old wing has put up plenty of highlight-worthy video, including a poster dunk on Maine Celtics forward Tristan Enaruna during this month’s G League Showcase in Orlando,” Williams wrote. “The Philadelphia native went undrafted in 2022 after five seasons at Bowling Green. Plowden has spent all of his professional career in the G League having played for the Birmingham Squadron, the G League affiliate of the Pelicans (2022-23) and the Osceola Magic (2023-24).”
OMG PLOWDEN 😳 pic.twitter.com/ZbDHupkLXN
— College Park Skyhawks (@CPSkyhawks) December 21, 2024
Plowden’s mix of explosiveness and shooting could provide some solid relief for the Hawks if they get hit with the injury bug at any point. The former Bowling Green State star also brings impressive defensive intangibles to the table.
Plowden made the 2021-22 MAC All-Defensive Team in college and made three All-MAC teams as well. The newest member of the Hawks brings the kind of two-way potential Atlanta should always be looking for.
Daeqwon Plowden played with the Atlanta Hawks at training camp
Some fans may not realize that Plowden already has experience playing and practicing with his new Atlanta teammates. Before the start of the season, Plowden was at training camp with the Hawks on an Exhibit 10 contract.
At Skyhawks Media Day in October, Plowden called his training camp experience “amazing.” His familiarity with the players and coaching staff should make his transition relatively seamless. Plowden’s work ethic is obvious given his five years of college basketball and two seasons of grinding in the G League.
Plowden spoke to Soaring Down South at Media Day about the mentorship he received from Bogdan Bogdanovic at training camp.
“I think Bogi was really someone who pulled me to the side,” Plowden said. “He was chatting to me about being patient and sticking to the plan – just understanding that even if my time isn’t now, it’s coming up. I think that was somebody who really took me under his wing and kinda helped me out for training camp.”
Only time will tell if Plowden can make a serious impact on the Hawks. The two-way swingman is joining an Atlanta squad that has won 10 of its last 14 games. The Hawks are currently tied for fifth in the east and just 1.5 games back of the fourth seed.