Atlanta Hawks sending Zuby Ejiofor to the perimeter in Summer League
The Atlanta Hawks drafted Zuby Ejiofor at No. 23 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and are now pushing him to shoot more in Summer League play. After going 30.5% from deep as a senior at UConn, Ejiofor has taken 35.3% of his shots from beyond the arc in four Summer League games - including a perfect 2-for-2 in his latest outing. The Hawks lost their last three games of the season on April 30 against the New York Knicks, finishing with a 2W-0D-3L record in their last five.
What the Hawks want from Ejiofor
Atlanta’s Summer League coach Sanjay Lumpkin said the team wants Ejiofor to feel empowered to shoot. “We’re empowering all our guys to shoot, and we want to empower [Ejiofor] to shoot that shot,” Lumpkin said. “It’s great that he’s more and more confident.” Ejiofor told the New York Post he’s been told to “go out there and step up with confidence” and “let the shots fly.” The rookie has flashed offensive rebounding and physicality nightly, but his field-goal percentage sits at 36.4% across four games.
How Ejiofor’s shooting fits his game
Ejiofor shot 70.9% from the free-throw line in college, a mark that often signals shooting potential. He also improved his three-point range late in his UConn career, climbing from 22.2% as a junior to 30.5% as a senior. If he becomes a stretch five, his offensive impact could rise sharply. Atlanta already has Mouhamed Gueye back from injury, but Ejiofor could carve out minutes early if he shows real perimeter growth.
What comes next for the rookie
Ejiofor’s Summer League averages stand at 13.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in four games. His field-goal struggles are clear, yet his three-point volume and free-throw numbers hint at upside. If he can stretch the floor, he’ll unlock more of his rebounding and interior scoring. The Hawks’ front office will watch closely as the rookie season nears, especially with Gueye’s minutes still up for grabs.
