The Atlanta Hawks may have only one NBA championship in franchise history, but the organization has consistently been home to some of the best players in basketball history.
For this piece, we take a look at the five best Hawks players of all time.
5. Pete Maravich
One of the best guards to ever pick up a basketball, Pete Maravich averaged 24.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 302 games with the Hawks.
“Pistol Pete” is fifth in franchise history in assists per game. He made the Hall of Fame in 1987 and has his No. 44 jersey retired by the organization, a testament to his contribution and greatness as a Hawk.
4. Lou Hudson
A six-time All-Star with the Hawks, Lou Hudson averaged 22.0 points and 4.9 rebounds over 730 games with the team. He scored 16,049 points with the franchise, putting him in third place in organizational history.
The Hawks retired Hudson's No. 23 jersey.
3. Cliff Hagan
A Hall of Famer, Cliff Hagan appeared in 745 games with the Hawks franchise (when they were still in St. Louis). He averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
Hagan is fourth in franchise history in points. He scored 13,447 and was part of the 1958 Hawks squad which won the championship over the Boston Celtics in six games.
2. Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins averaged 26.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 882 games with the Hawks. He has a statue outside State Farm Arena where he is in the midst of one of his signature windmill dunks.
A Hall of Famer, Wilkins is first in franchise history in games played, minutes played, field goals, points and points per game. He will go down as one of the best dunkers the game of basketball has ever witnessed.
1. Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit averaged 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds over 792 games with the Hawks. He was a Rookie of the Year, two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star with the franchise.
Pettit is the Hawks' all-time leader in free-throws, total rebounds, rebounds per game, player efficiency rating and win-shares. He probably would have won Finals MVP in 1958 if the award was given at that time. Pettit put up 29.3 points and 17.0 rebounds against the Celtics.
Nicknamed “Big Blue,” Pettit was named a Hall of Famer in 1971.
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