Atlanta Hawks rookie Cam Reddish says people take his calm demeanor “the wrong way” and that he's ready to be “aggressive” in the NBA with the Hawks.

All season at Duke, pundits questioned Reddish's motor and love for the game. The swingman, who went to the Hawks at No. 10 in Thursday's draft, says he heard the criticism all season in college and is eager to prove the critics wrong in Atlanta.

“It lingers in my head. I hear it all the time. It rings in my head. It motivates me every single day. So I’m definitively ready to get started,” Reddish said, via Michael Lee of The Athletic. “I kind of have a calm demeanor and people take it the wrong way, as passive. I don’t think that’s what it is.

“In a matter of time, you guys will see that. I think it’s my demeanor is kind of calm and people don’t necessarily respect it. People take it the wrong way. I’m extremely aggressive, extremely ready to go out there and fight, play. I’m ready for it.”

Article Continues Below

We have to remember Reddish was the third option at Duke, playing behind Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett. Reddish wasn't able to fully showcase his offensive prowess in college since his usage rate was low. That's going to change with the Hawks.

Reddish averaged 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for the Blue Devils. He shot 35.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line. Reddish will be paired with Trae Young and John Collins in Atlanta.

The future is really bright for the Hawks, who may have gotten the steal of the draft in Reddish.

More Atlanta Hawks News
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Hawks’ Kristaps Porzingis confidently reveals favorite rapperMiguel La Torre ·
Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Asa Newell, and Nique Clifford at NBA Summer League
Exclusive: What Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel said about NBA Summer LeagueBrett Siegel ¡
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) celebrates with guard Dyson Daniels (5) after an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at State Farm Arena.
Hawks’ exec makes ‘best offseason’ declaration after blockbuster movesMalik Brown ·
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) controls the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center.
Hawks’ Trae Young responds to Iman Shumpert criticism with savage jabMalik Brown ·
Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young watches the game between the Atlanta Dream against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at Gateway Center Arena at College Park
Hawks star Trae Young’s dad slams Iman Shumpert, ESPN for not doing ‘homework’Jackson Stone ·
OKC Metro High School Sports Awards featuring Trae Young in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Hawks rumors: Insider slaps Atlanta with Trae Young contract extension warningJackson Stone ¡