Kingston Flemings Celebrates Jersey Retirement With Big Game in San Antonio

Brennan High School retired Kingston Flemings' jersey Wednesday night in San Antonio.

Flemings came off the bench at Frost Bank Center the next night and scored 15 points against the San Antonio Spurs. The Atlanta Hawks won 123-116 on Thursday after trailing by 19 points at the end of the first quarter.

He shot 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Flemings also had five assists and three steals in 20 minutes.

Before the game, Flemings met reporters at the Hawks' Thursday morning shootaround in an availability recorded by KSAT.

His Hawks teammates had been in the Brennan gym for the ceremony the night before, along with the players he grew up with, his coaches, and his family.

"It was a great surprise. I had no idea it was coming, to be honest," Flemings said. "So for the Hawks to be there, my teammates growing up, coaches, family, everything. It was crazy. It was a great experience, and I was proud of it."

"Everyone [from] all walks of my life growing up, and then obviously getting my jersey retired," Flemings continued. "My sister will be next soon. So it feels good. It feels great."

Flemings had been told ESPN needed B-roll footage of him in the gym where he grew up, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Instead, Brennan used the visit to make him the second basketball player in school history to have his number retired.

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, who coached Flemings during his lone college season, was also there.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder said before Thursday's game that it was a major honor for Flemings.

His sister, Bella Flemings, was named Gatorade Texas Girls Basketball Player of the Year at Brennan, KSAT reported. Kingston won the boys' award in 2025.

He averaged 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 2.9 steals that season for a Brennan team that went 33-3 and reached the Class 6A Division I state semifinals.

Flemings went into Thursday with the same approach he takes into any other game.

"I have a lot of friends and family at the game," Flemings explained. "[Same] thing as always: go out there, try to get a win. I'm an NBA player for a reason, so I'm just gonna do what I love the most, playing basketball."

Brennan coach Koty Cowgill was one of the names Flemings brought up from the North Side.

"All the person I am is because I grew up here," Flemings said. "Definitely in the North Side, Coach Koty, [all] my coaches, family that I was raised around. It was a great opportunity to be there, so I definitely rock 210 for sure. I'm ready to go out today and try to get a win."

Flemings spent one season at Houston, where he averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He shot 38.7% from 3-point range.

Atlanta drafted him eighth overall on June 23, making him the sixth Houston player selected in the top 10 of an NBA Draft.

His first game against San Antonio came July 9 in Las Vegas. Flemings had five points and eight assists in a 93-66 Summer League win over the Spurs.

Atlanta lost its preseason opener 132-123 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at State Farm Arena.

Flemings started that night in place of CJ McCollum and scored 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting. McCollum returned to the starting lineup Thursday, moving Flemings to the bench. Luguentz Dort missed both games with a right knee contusion.

Of everyone on the roster, McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the two players Flemings has worked out with the most.

"A lot of the teammates have helped me, to be honest, and all in different ways," Flemings said. "I've been working out with [Nickeil] and CJ a lot, but then literally everyone on the team. I've taken some from Keshon, RayJ, Jalen."

"Everyone kind of has a different game. Everyone has bits and pieces I can take to help my own game," Flemings added. "So it's a great team to be a part of. We're young, and we got vets too, so perfect, perfect team construction."

San Antonio led 39-20 after one quarter and by as many as 23 points.

The Hawks trailed 69-62 at halftime before outscoring the Spurs 31-26 in the third quarter and 30-21 in the fourth.

Atlanta went 18-of-46 from 3-point range. The Hawks forced 22 turnovers and scored 30 points off them.

Asa Newell led Atlanta with 16 points. McCollum scored 14 and went 4-of-6 from 3-point range, while Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu scored 13 apiece.

Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 16 points in 19 minutes. Victor Wembanyama scored nine, and San Antonio's starters sat out the second half.

The Spurs reached the 2026 NBA Finals before losing to the New York Knicks.

"They're a great team, obviously. They made it far last year, so it's a good opportunity to play this team in the preseason," Flemings said. "Trying to go out there and follow what Coach Quin says, do our best, try to go out there and get a win."

After the game, Flemings told Guzman the arena did not feel like home to him, but "San Antonio is always home."

Atlanta is scheduled to play at the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

The Hawks host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday at 7 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena and close the preseason Oct. 16 at the Dallas Mavericks.

The regular season opens Oct. 21 at the Orlando Magic. Atlanta's next game at Frost Bank Center is Dec. 27.