10 Best Draft Picks in Atlanta Sports History

Apr 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shoots a jump shot over Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

8. Kevin Willis

Kevin Willis was the 11th overall selection in the 1984 NBA Draft. He played Power Forward on some of the Hawks best teams in the 1980s and into the 90s.

During his 11 seasons in Atlanta he averaged 14.1 PPG and nearly 10 rebounds. The Hawks won at least 50 games five times during Willis’ tenure.

7. Al Horford

Like Pete Maravich, Al Horford was also the 3rd overall selection in the NBA Draft. The Hawks took him in 2007 while trying to rebuild a franchise that had been down (way down) for a while. During all the lottery picks the Hawks had during that time, Horford was really the only one to pay off.

Since being drafted, he has been at the center (literally) of the Hawks franchise. They have never missed the playoffs since he’s been on the team – a current streak of eight years that cannot be topped in the Eastern Conference. He’s been an all-star multiple times and averaged Kevin Willis-type numbers with over 14 PPG and over nine rebounds per contest during his career.