Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Former Hawks forward John Drew dies at age 67

The Hawks selected John Drew in the 1974 NBA draft. Drew died Sunday at age 67. (AJC file photo)

Credit: AJC File

Credit: AJC File

The Hawks selected John Drew in the 1974 NBA draft. Drew died Sunday at age 67. (AJC file photo)
By AJC Staff
April 10, 2022

Former Hawks forward John Drew passed away Sunday in Houston after a battle with bone cancer, according to his family via AL.com. He was 67.

Drew, who played at Gardner-Webb University, averaged 20.7 points and nearly seven rebounds per game in his 11-season NBA career.

He was selected with the 25th overall pick by the Hawks during the second round of the 1974 NBA draft.

After nearly a decade in Atlanta, the Hawks traded Drew, Freeman Williams and cash to the Jazz for Dominique Wilkins.

Born in Vredenburgh, Ala., Drew was one of the most dominant high school basketball players in the state’s history.

According to AL.com, Drew holds three state AHSAA records from his years (1969-72) at J.F. Shields High School in Monroe County (career scoring average, 41 points per game, 1969-72; single-season rebounding, 764 in 1971-72; and single-season rebound average, 21.8 rebounds per game, 1971-72).

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