Fansided

NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Atlanta Hawks

By John Buhler

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) drives against Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) drives against Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
3

Justin Patton

Center, Creighton Bluejays

Center Justin Patton opted to play for his hometown Creighton Bluejays in Omaha for his one year of college hoops. It was an excellent year for Patton, as he would be named Big East Freshman of the Year for a tournament team in Creighton.

Patton would average 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 25.3 minutes per contest. He was both stout offensively and on the defensive end of the year at Creighton, with a +4.4 Offensive Box Plus-Minus and a +6.2 Defensive Box Plus-Minus.

He would be a very interesting prospect for the Hawks as a guy that can win on both ends of the floor. Though he only attempted 15 3-pointers in college, Patton did make 8 of them. Perhaps he could be that stretch-five that Budenholzer covets.

Overall, Patton is not a lottery level pick due to his slender build (seven-feet, 230 pounds) and playing for a smaller major conference in the new Big East. Patton is a player that Atlanta would definitely consider taking at No. 19, but he might very well be off the board before Atlanta has a chance to grab the former Creighton standout.

Home/Atlanta Hawks