Pape Sy's NBA gamble pays off with Hawks

Sy, 22, was virtually unknown in the weeks before the draft after playing one season for the French club Le Havre. He paid his own way to the United States to showcase himself for NBA teams but Atlanta was the only team to take him up on his offer.

Sy, whose name is pronounced "Pop See," impressed coach Larry Drew in a workout session with other prospects and the Hawks selected him with the No. 53 overall pick. After seeing him perform at the Las Vegas Summer League, the Hawks worked with him to secure a buyout of the final year of his Le Havre contract.

After weeks of negotiations, Le Havre and Sy came to terms and the 6-foot-7 guard joined the Hawks Wednesday for informal workouts at Philips Arena.

“I am here to do the job and give my best,” Sy said. “Whatever it takes.”

The Hawks project Sy as a point guard, where they also have starter Mike Bibby and Jeff Teague. Veterans Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford also can play the position so, barring injuries, Sy most likely won't earn many minutes this season.

But the Hawks believe he can better develop by practicing with the team and perhaps spending some time in the Development League rather than play another year for Le Havre, where he averaged 14 minutes per game last season.

Drew likes Sy's length, defensive potential and competitiveness. Drew's endorsement was a big factor in general manager Rick Sund asking Hawks ownership to contribute money to buy out Sy's French contract.

“It gives us another young guy who we can develop and maybe send to the D-League and get some experience,” Sund said. “He could help us down the line.”

Roster set

Atlanta now has 14 players on the roster with a payroll of about $69 million. Sund said the Hawks most likely will not bring any non-roster invitees to training camp, which starts Sept. 28.

"Our team is set for training camp," he said. "We are a veteran team. And with the young guys Teague, [Jordan] Crawford and Pape, our focus is on getting more reps for them."

Vets get ready

Joining Johnson, Teague, Crawford and Sy at the voluntary workouts Wednesday were veterans Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia and Josh Powell. Mo Evans participated earlier in the week.

“Getting up and down, just trying to stay in shape before camp starts,” Johnson said. “We've got a lot of young guys out there. We are trying to show them how we get it done.”

Benefit bowl

Williams and Special Olympics Georgia will play host to a bowling event as part of their campaign to encourage Georgia residents to stop using derogatory terms in reference to the mentally disabled. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 23 at 300 Atlanta.