Hawks exercise options on John Collins, Taurean Prince and DeAndre` Bembry

Hawks exercise options on John Collins, Taurean Prince and DeAndre` Bembry

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday (Monday) exercised the third-year (2019-20) option on the contact of John Collins, and the fourth-year (2019-20) options on the contracts of Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry.

Bembry, the 21st overall pick by the Hawks in the 2016 NBA Draft, has averaged 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 12.9 minutes, appearing in 64 games (four starts) in his first two seasons (.442 FG%). Last season, in 26 games (three starts), he put up 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 17.5 minutes (.414 FG%, .367 3FG%).

Prince, acquired by the Hawks from the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade on July 7, 2016, was originally the 12th overall pick by Utah in the 2016 NBA Draft. In his first two seasons, he’s appeared in 141 games (92 starts), averaging 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.4 minutes (.420 FG%, .374 3FG%, .825 FT%). In starting all 82 games last season, he compiled 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes (.426 FG%, .385 3FG%, .844 FT% – 30th in the NBA). He was selected for the 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

The 19th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2017 NBA Draft, Collins was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team last season as he averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.1 minutes (.576 FG%, .340 3FG%, .715 FT%) in 74 games (26 starts). He ranked seventh in the NBA in FG%, 10th in Eff. FG% (.591), t25th in bpg and 33rd in rpg, leading all rookies in offensive rebounds (176). He was also selected for the 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

John Collins out with ankle injury

John Collins out with ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks forward-center John Collins underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex on October 2, and it was revealed that the young big man has mild inflammation and soreness in his left ankle.

Collins underwent a non-surgical procedure on Monday, October 8. The team says he will be re-evaluated on October 22.

For now, Collins is listed as out.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Collins played 24.1 minutes per game as a rookie last season, and averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per outing, shooting a very impressive 57.6% FG.

Hawks sign guard C.J. Anderson

Hawks sign guard C.J. Anderson

The Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday signed guard C.J. Anderson. The deal will likely only last during preseason.

Earlier Tuesday, the team waived Isaac Humphries, who had signed with the Hawks on Oct. 8.

Last season, as a senior at University of Massachusetts, Anderson played in 32 games (28 starts), averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 35.2 minutes (.414 FG%, .400 3FG%, .813 FT%), ranking fourth in the Atlantic-10 Conference in assists.

He appeared in 126 games (47 starts) in his four years with the Minutemen. The native of Memphis, TN attended Arlington High School (Arlington, TN) for three years before finishing at Whitehaven High School in Memphis. He will wear No. 8.

Hawks sign Isaac Humphries

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward/center Isaac Humphries.

In 26 games (six starts) last season with the Sydney Kings of the NBL, the native of Australia averaged 6.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 16.5 minutes (.583 FG%, .653 FT%) en route to NBL Rookie of the Year honors.

He also appeared in 12 contests last year with FMP Beograd in Serbia, averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.0 minutes (.650 FG%).

Humphries played two years at University of Kentucky before declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft. As a sophomore with the Wildcats, he compiled 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds (.511 FG%, .600 FT%) in 8.3 minutes, appearing in 38 games (one start).

Hawks waive Cole Aldrich

Hawks waive Cole Aldrich

The Atlanta Hawks waived center Cole Aldrich today.

The team originally signed him on September 18, 2018. He was signed for training camp purposes and was a longshot to make the regular season roster.

The 6-foot-11, 253-pound center, a lottery pick in the 2010 NBA draft, has played for the Thunder, Rockets, Kings, Knicks, Clippers and Timberwolves. In the 2017-18 season for Minnesota, Aldrich received just 2.3 minutes per game of playing time. He could latch on with another team, but that’s no guarantee.

Atlanta Hawks injury updates

Guard/forward Justin Anderson continues to progress in his rehabilitation from surgery on June 29th to address recurring tibial stress syndrome in his left leg. He is currently symptom free and progressing as expected. He will be listed as out for the beginning of training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 25th and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Center Dewayne Dedmon, diagnosed with an avulsion fracture in his left ankle on Sept. 4th, continues to progress in his recovery as he enters his second week of weight-bearing rehabilitation. He will be listed as out for the beginning of training camp and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Guard/forward Daniel Hamilton presented with symptoms of a shoulder injury earlier in September. An MRI taken at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex on Sept. 11th revealed a tear in his right rotator cuff. He has elected a non-surgical treatment plan, and has begun a rehab plan on court. He will be reviewed by the medical team in one week and his rehab/return to play will progress as tolerated.

Guard Jeremy Lin continues his recovery from a ruptured patella tendon of the right knee suffered on Oct. 18th, 2017. He has returned to regular basketball activities with limited restrictions and is expected to participate in training camp.

Forward Omari Spellman experienced left shin soreness during a workout last week. An MRI taken at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex confirmed soft tissue inflammation. He will be listed as out for the next 7-10 days followed by a gradual return to activity, and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Hawks sign Cole Aldrich

Hawks sign center Cole Alrich

Yesterday, the Atlanta Hawks signed center Cole Aldrich, presumably on a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Aldrich to training camp.

Aldrich has played eight NBA seasons with Oklahoma City, Houston, Sacramento, New York, the LA Clippers and Minnesota, averaging 3.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10.0 minutes (.527 FG%, .738 FG%) in 339 career games (23 starts).

He was originally drafted by New Orleans in the first round (11th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, and was traded to Oklahoma City in a draft-night trade.

Aldrich attended Bloomington Jefferson High School (Bloomington, MN) before a three-year career at Kansas. He was a consensus second-team All-American following his junior season in 2010, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and won a national championship with the Jayhawks in 2008.

Hawks reportedly signing Cole Aldrich

Here’s the latest on center Cole Aldrich, who must work hard to solidify his place in the league beyond the training camp signing reported below by the St Paul Pioneer Press:

Hawks reportedly signing Cole Aldridge

Cole Aldrich is signing a training camp deal with the Atlanta Hawks, he told the Pioneer Press on Thursday.

In a cost-cutting move, the Timberwolves waived the veteran center earlier this offseason after inking Aldrich to a three-year, $21 million deal in 2016. The Bloomington Jefferson standout ended up on the end of the bench last season, playing in just 21 games.

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Hawks sign R.J. Hunter

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday (Friday) signed guard R.J. Hunter.

Hunter has played in 44 career regular season games (one start) in three seasons with Boston, Chicago and Houston, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes.

Last season, he appeared in five contests on a two-way contract for the Rockets, starting one, averaging 3.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. In 45 games (28 starts) with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, he put up 20.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.8 minutes (.443 FG%, .377 3FG%, .803 FT%).

Hunter was originally selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Celtics as an early-entry candidate. He was a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year at Georgia State, where he played under his father, head coach Ron Hunter. He is the Panthers’ all-time scoring leader (1,819) in three seasons.

Hunter is a native of Indianapolis, IN (Pike High School).