Atlanta Hawks Earn Split Reviews for Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor in 2026 Draft Grades

· Yahoo Sports

The Atlanta Hawks added two young pieces to their roster Tuesday night, selecting Houston guard Kingston Flemings and power-forward/center Zuby Ejiofor in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. 

Atlanta selected Flemings with the No.8 pick in the draft and Ejiofor with the No.23 pick. Before entering the draft, the Hawks needed to address finding a long-term point guard, after trading Trae Young during the season, front-court depth, and roster flexibility.

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The Hawks' two first-round picks aligned with their roster needs and the direction the franchise wants to go in. Bleacher Report graded all 30 NBA teams, and the Hawks had a solid report card.

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley provided grades for the 2026 NBA Draft for every first-round pick. 

Kingston Flemings: B+ 

Atlanta will enter its first full season without Young on the roster. Flemings was projected to land with the Hawks at No.8 in multiple mock drafts. 

The Hawks re-signed CJ McCollum to provide the roster with a veteran guard and depth in the backcourt. Bleacher Report's Buckley graded Atlanta's selection of the Houston guard with a B+. 

"Flemings is a good get and strong connection between need and talent here," wrote Buckley. "His three-point volume will have to ramp up to really make this work with Jalen Johnson, but those two could be a force together on both ends of the floor," he added. 

Flemings has a strong mid-range game, can get to the rim, and has solid decision-making skills. However, Atlanta needs a play-making guard who can get others involved. 

Zuby Ejiofor: D+

The Hawks used the No.23 pick to select Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's. While the franchise needed to address its lack of frontcourt depth, the team didn't receive a strong grade for its selection of the big-man. 

Ejiofor is listed at 6-foot-8, 245 lbs, but is a smaller big man who can play with a high level of physicality. "The Hawks left some bigger centers — and higher-ranked perimeter prospects—on the board to take Ejiofor," Buckley wrote.

"He almost fits them too well, in that his strengths are already established strengths for the team, and their weaknesses aren't necessarily things that he can help cover up," he added. 

Hawks President of Basketball Operations, Onsi Saleh, spoke to reporters on June 23, talking about the importance of not cutting any corners in the draft. He emphasized the importance of building the roster.

He believes that the team drafted two of the best competitors in the draft.

Both selections from the first round will have time to develop during the Utah and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. 

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