Hawks add two assistant coaches

Deandre Ayton of Arizona, who could go No. 1 in the NBA draft, was a top-five recruit when he signed with the Wildcats. Ayton, a 7-1 forward from the Bahamas, was chosen Pac-12 player of the year and freshman of the year. Marvin Bagley III of Duke was the consensus top prospect in the country in the Class of 2017. Though the ACC freshman of the year, Bagley's stock has fallen some because of concerns about his defense. Jaren Jackson Jr. of Michigan State is a 6-11 forward who was Big Ten freshman of the

The Hawks added two more assistants, Marlon Garnett and Chris Jent, to new coach Lloyd Pierce’s staff.

Garnett joins the Hawks after serving two seasons as an assistant/player development coordinator with the Suns. He previously was a player-development assistant and video coordinator for one season with the Spurs, following a long career playing internationally. Garnett played alongside Pierce at Santa Clara University.

Jent was a Hawks assistant for one season under Pierce’s predecessor, Mike Budenholzer. Jent also has been an assistant with the Kings (2013-14), Cavaliers (2006-11), Magic (2004-05) Sixers (2003-04) and at Ohio State, his alma mater. Pierce and Jent were on Cleveland’s staff together for three years.

Long-time NBA assistant Melvin Hunt also joined the Hawks this week. He is Pierce’s lead assistant.

The Hawks are expected to add two more assistants to Pierce’s staff. So far Jent is the only assistant to be retained from Budenholzer’s staff.