I was a big fan of Atlanta’s first round pick AJ Griffin. I didn’t think he would fall to 16, but much like Jalen Johnson in 2021, a Duke product with tons of talent fell right into the lap of Travis Schlenk. However, Atlanta’s second-rounder is worth taking a closer look at as well. Like Griffin, Tyrese Martin comes from a basketball blueblood in UConn and gained a lot of steam in the pre-draft process due to his interviews and testing.
Also like Griffin, Martin is a long, athletic wing that can knock down shots from distance.
Martin fits the mold of what I wanted the Hawks to do in this draft if they didn’t trade their picks. He is a good rebounder and willing defender — two things Atlanta sorely needs. If he can immediately provide the Hawks with some high quality defense and rebounding, he’s a perfect second round pick for a team that needs enforcers and stoppers. Hopefully, Martin can carve out a role in Atlanta’s rotation. If a trade is made, I really like his chances.
Side note: If you notice the photo in this article, that’s Martin shushing the crowd at Madison Square Garden in the Big East Tournament. Sound familiar?
Photographer: Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
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