Onsi Saleh Tells Hawks Rookies They'll Have to 'Earn Everything' in Atlanta

On Thursday, the Atlanta Hawks informed their three draft picks that they will need to earn every opportunity, including their playing time.

President of basketball operations Onsi Saleh introduced guard Kingston Flemings, forward Zuby Ejiofor and center Henri Veesaar at the team's practice facility. He said no roles would be assigned.

"We're going to be a working program," Saleh said. "You earn everything. You earn your minutes, your playing time, all of it. These guys are going to fight for it."

Saleh called the 2026 class the most competitive group when Atlanta picked, stating all three topped the team's scouting reports and analytics.

Saleh noted the Hawks focus on developing players of all ages.

"We want every player to get better, whether they're 19, 20 or 35 years old," Saleh said. He called coach Quin Snyder's staff the best in the league.

Atlanta is the only franchise to produce back-to-back Most Improved Player winners. Nickeil Alexander-Walker won the award last season.

The picks arrived with track records. Flemings started all 37 games he played as a freshman at Houston and led the Cougars in scoring. Ejiofor swept the BIG EAST's major awards at St. John's, including player and defensive player of the year. Veesaar started every game at North Carolina, where he shot 42.6% from 3.

Their roles in Atlanta are uncertain. Flemings, the No. 8 pick, should get backcourt time behind veteran CJ McCollum. Ejiofor, drafted 23rd, has a crowded frontcourt and might start in the G League. Veesaar, taken No. 52 in a trade with the Clippers, is a developmental center.

The rookies strengthen a young roster led by All-Star Jalen Johnson, Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and 2025 first-round pick Asa Newell. McCollum is the veteran.

Atlanta traded Trae Young to Washington in February. Following the trade, the Hawks posted a 20-6 record after the All-Star break, secured the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round by New York.

Veterans are held to the same standard. Snyder even experimented with bringing McCollum off the bench early on following last season's trade, and Saleh mentioned this as part of the prevailing culture.

Snyder said a young roster brings work and energy.

"It's challenging, to be honest, because you have players that are new to the league," Snyder said. "That said, it's also exciting. There's enthusiasm that those guys bring into the program."

Flemings said he was ready to compete.

"Like Onsi said, I'm just ready to work," Flemings said. "At the end of the day, I'm a basketball player. Whatever I can do to help this team, that's exactly what I'm going to do."

The Hawks open Summer League next month in Las Vegas.

Hawks Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hawks. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.