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Atlanta Hawks: F Matt Costello signs two-year contract

By Kathryn Morrison

Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer coaches against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pistons 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer coaches against the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pistons 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks officially signed a two-year, non-guaranteed contract with former Michigan State forward, Matt Costello.

The Atlanta Hawks have added another member to their 2016-17 roster. On June 24th, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vilvamore reported VIA Twitter that, “Matt Costello, of Michigan St., has agreed to a contract with the Hawks. He will go to Summer League and training camp with the team.”

Costello went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, but found his home with the Atlanta Hawks shortly after on June 24th, though his contract was not made official until July 17th. His initial agreement with the Hawks allowed him to participate in training camp and the Summer League.

The 6-foot-9, 22-year-old made appearances in six Summer League games with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Then, Costello made it official with the Hawks by signing a two-year, non-guaranteed contract on July 17.

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Costello was a highly sought after recruit from Bay City Western High School. He averaged 25.1 points, 19.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. In 2012, he was the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award winner, Gatorade Michigan High School Player of the Year, and Parade Magazine All-American.

He spent his college career with the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Conference where he played center and power forward. He made appearances all four years, but it was his senior year when Costello really stepped up his game.

As a senior, Costello averaged 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He also received many awards that year, and was named to the CBS-BigTen 2nd Team, BigTen 2nd Team Media, Bleacher Report Team of the Week; Week 11, Sports Illustrated All Glue Team (Captain), and Reese’s College All Star Game, among others.

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Costello is a well deserving candidate, as well as a solid rebounder and very strong defensive player; he is Michigan State’s current all-time leader in blocks. However, based on his Summer League performance and the current depth on the Atlanta Hawks’ roster, it appears as though Costello has some work to do before securing himself a spot.

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