Will Kingston Flemings help the Hawks take the next step?
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Will Kingston Flemings help the Hawks take the next step?
Yahoo Sports’ Draft Live crew breaks down the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as the Houston guard is heading to Atlanta.
Video Transcript
Atlanta goes with Kingston Flemings.
KLC, you on.
AdvertisementAdvertisementHey.
I, we told you it's gonna be guards from here on out.
KLC, he's on fire.
The guard from Houston, oh, talk about a really nice two-way player, was high in his assist numbers as well, just over five, but doesn't have a ton of height, but certainly- Yeah I think can make a difference at the next level.
Y- you know what I was so impressed with is, there's a few things.
Number one is this young man's maturity.
I, I think the way when you talk to him, the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, I think that's extremely high level.
But for me, the decision to go to a program like Houston, that's not an easy place to play the game of basketball.
AdvertisementAdvertisementNo, it is not.
You are going to get tested.
You are going to be put in positions that are going to make you uncomfortable.
But Kelvin Sampson does that intentionally to make you a better player.
Kingston Flemings was on nobody's draft board coming into the year.
He goes to Houston, he accepts the challenge, he embraces the defensive side.
He learns how to grow up and mature in Kelvin Sampson's system with all the pressure on him, 'cause when's the last time we've seen a freshman guard be able to run the show for Houston?
He does all of that and now becomes the number eight pick in the draft.
I think that this young man and his willingness to be able to defend, to embrace the physicality, to go through hard things, tells me everything I need to know about him, and he is going to have success running this Atlanta offense.
Plus, when you look at him and his, his ability to be able to go up and down the floor, that, that electric speed, mix that with Jalen Johnson and some of the other wings, goodness gracious.
Yeah.
I, I think the thing that's so funny about him is he played in a Houston offense that had no space in it.
None.
JoJo Tugler- None Christan Ack, and now he's gonna be going to a Hawks team that has n- No space much space.
Yeah.
Yes, yes.
It is, like, all space.
Yeah.
Like, sometimes too much space for the Hawks, and you're gonna see just one of the fastest guards in Flemings.
You're gonna see him, I think, unleashed with his ability to get to the cup, kick out passes- Yes to corner three-point shooters, finish with athleticism and theatrics around the basket.
AdvertisementAdvertisementYes.
And the key question to me for Flemings isn't really his size, 'cause I think he has the effort and the mindset.
He's so tough, I, I don't worry about that as much.
To me, it's about extending the range from mid-range- to three-point range.
He was a very low volume three-point shooter last year at Houston.
Does he successfully do that for a rookie season, or is that gonna have to be something that happens more down the line?
Fortunately for him, in this Atlanta team, he's, he's in a situation where they have C.J.
May you like
McCollum, they have veterans, other ball handlers to alleviate the pressure.
He does not have to be savior.
- Will Kingston Flemings help the Hawks take the next step?Yahoo Sports’ Draft Live crew breaks down the 8th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as the Houston guard is heading to Atlanta.2:27Now PlayingPaused
- Post-lottery mock draft: Kingston Flemings to the Nets1:00Now PlayingPaused
- Mock Draft: Mavericks select Kingston Flemings 9th, but who making this pick for Dallas?1:46Now PlayingPaused
- What Kingston Flemings is working on ahead of the NBA Draft3:17Now PlayingPaused
- How will the Hawks build off this season's success?2:44Now PlayingPaused
- Kingston Flemings on the NBA Playoffs: ‘If you can’t guard, you can’t play’0:54Now PlayingPaused
