Hawks Rookies Reveal Eye-Opening LeBron James Workout Experience

Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor spent part of their first NBA offseason in runs that included Jalen Johnson and LeBron James. The two Atlanta Hawks rookies described the workouts at media day Monday, the day before the team opened training camp in Nashville.

James' early-morning routine made an impression on Flemings.

"Jalen told us to come to Cali," Flemings said. "I knew Chris Johnson because I played against his son. I went there for a whole week, great work. We had some good runs too."

"He was drafted in '03; I was born in '07," Flemings continued. "I was playing with Bron in Cali. I saw him working out at 5 a.m., he was stretching at 4 a.m. before I even got there."

"It's crazy being able to see that," Flemings added. "He's still one of the greatest players of all time and definitely one of the best players in the NBA still. So being able to play against him, compete against him is going to be a dream come true."

James went first overall in the 2003 draft. Flemings was born Jan. 3, 2007.

Atlanta took Flemings eighth overall out of Houston in June. In 37 games as a freshman, he averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He shot 47.6% from the field, 38.7% from 3-point range, and 84.5% at the free-throw line.

Flemings was a consensus second-team All-American and made the All-Big 12 First Team. His 42 points in a Jan. 24 loss to Texas Tech set Houston's freshman scoring record. Houston's season ended in the Sweet 16 against Illinois.

Flemings was Texas Mr. Basketball in 2025 at Brennan High School. The San Antonio native became the sixth Houston player drafted in the top 10 and the Hawks' third lottery pick since 2020, following Onyeka Okongwu and Zaccharie Risacher.

At Summer League, Flemings averaged 10.0 points and 6.8 assists in four games.

CJ McCollum has worked out with Flemings and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the mornings. He praised the rookie's intelligence, defense and willingness to learn.

"He's super smart, very ahead of his time ... His defensive ability stands out coming from Houston," McCollum said.

"We've been able to work out in the mornings, me, him and Nickeil," McCollum continued. "I think he's very responsive, asks questions and he cares ... the work ethic is there. The talent is through the roof ... He's got one really good speed - how do you change it? We'll help him with that."

McCollum, 34, has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Hawks. He holds a career average of 19.5 points per game.

Ejiofor also named DeMar DeRozan among the players in the runs. The experience gave him a chance to compete against players he had previously only imagined sharing a court with.

"Ain't that crazy? Runs with LeBron and DeMar DeRozan - I only pictured playing with them in NBA 2K," Ejiofor said. "Now, I get to grace the court with some great players. It's a great experience and just getting to learn ways to make an impact on this court with the Hawks - I'm really excited."

Jalen Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 72 games last season. He made his first All-Star team and the All-NBA Third Team.

He had 49 double-doubles, and his 13 triple-doubles set a Hawks franchise record. ESPN ranked the 24-year-old 22nd on its top 50 players list this month, up from 44th last year.

Atlanta drafted Ejiofor 23rd overall out of St. John's, 15 picks after Flemings. Ejiofor spent his freshman season at Kansas before transferring and playing three seasons for Rick Pitino.

Ejiofor won Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was the first St. John's player drafted since 2015. Before college, he starred at Garland High School in Texas.

In four Summer League games, Ejiofor averaged 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.

Flemings and Ejiofor are two of three Atlanta draft picks from June. The third, 52nd pick Henri Veesaar, is out for the season with a torn right ACL suffered during a September workout.