Peachtree Hoops: SI ranks five Hawks players in preseason top 100 list

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It is that time of the year, when media outlets begin to release their top-100 NBA player lists ahead of a new season. In Sports Illustrated’s Top 100, the Atlanta Hawks had five players featured ahead of the 2021-22 season. SI also released a ‘snub’ list, and Kevin Huerter made that cut, but not the Top 100.

Here’s a look at the guys who made it:

No. 64, Bogdan Bogdanovic, G/F

Bogdanovic is coming off of the hottest shooting stretch of his career, shooting 45.5 from three on high volume after Mar. 1.

No. 56, De’Andre Hunter, F

Hunter cracks SI’s Top 100 despite only playing a small portion of last season. Despite the small sample, the high-level two-way play he provided during that stretch was nearly enough for him to make the top-50.

No. 54, John Collins, F

Collins posted another strong season in 2020-21, earning a lucrative extension in the process. An improved defender, he finally earned the respect he deserves around the league with a very solid postseason.

No. 48, Clint Capela, C

One of the best defensive centers in the NBA, Capela was the key cog in transforming the Hawks’ defense from a bad to above average. He led the NBA in rebounding to boot, and battled with the likes of Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez while remaining durable throughout a grueling postseason run.

No. 17, Trae Young, G

No surprise here that Young cracks the top-20. SI had him at 29 last season, and he proved he was a winner on top of being a superstar in the 2021 postseason.

The Hawks wound up with five of the top 64 players overall, and four of the top 56. That is a solid foundation considering Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Huerter are also guys who have an argument for the top-100, and Cam Reddish wouldn’t be far off either if he put things together as a 6’9 three-and-D stopper in his third season.

Look for more lists to keep pouring out, as ESPN has already began unfurling their top-100 players as well.

Stay tuned.

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