Brandon Ashley saw an opportunity with the Hawks.
After going undrafted, the Arizona forward chose joined the Hawk for the Las Vegas Summer League. He impressed in his first outing. He had 15 points, on 7 of 12 shooting, and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
“Just going through the whole entire NBA draft process, the Hawks were one of the teams I felt most comfortable with,” Ashley said. “I felt like we connected pretty well when we first met in Chicago (at scouting combine). From there, I just felt I had the best opportunity to play and showcase my skillset with this team.”
The 6-foot-9 Ashley was the Pac-12 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in leading Arizona to the title. He was honorable mention All-Pac-12 last season as a junior after averaging 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 38 games before declaring for the draft.
The Hawks’ system was also a draw for Ashley.
“It’s a really good system,” he said. “They had a hell of a run last year. I’d love to be a part of something special like that.”
Payne back as with T’Wolves
Adriean Payne, the Hawks’ first-round pick last year, is back at summer league. This time he’s a member of the Timberwolves. The Hawks traded Payne, the 15th overall pick, in February after he played just three games.
Payne averaged 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in his 29 games with the Timberwolves.
In two summer league games, Payne averaged 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.
Etc.
Hasheem Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, is playing summer league for the NBA Development League Select team. He was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Wizards after getting two technical fouls arguing a call. He then went back to the make-shift locker room where he took out is frustrations on a chair. … Kelly Oubre Jr., who the Hawks selected with the 15th pick as part of a trade with the Wizards, had 18 points and eight rebounds. In two games, he is averaging 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.
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