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Atlanta Hawks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Hawks

By Phil Watson

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1975: Lou Hudson #23 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball while guarded by Nick Weatherspoon #12 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1975 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Hudson played for the Hawks from 1966-77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lou Hudson; Nick Weatherspoon
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1975: Lou Hudson #23 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball while guarded by Nick Weatherspoon #12 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1975 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Hudson played for the Hawks from 1966-77. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lou Hudson; Nick Weatherspoon /

125. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 4th overall pick from Minnesota, 1966 NBA Draft.. SF-SG. 1966-77. Lou Hudson. 8. player

Lou Hudson had missed much of his senior season at Minnesota with a broken wrist, but the St. Louis Hawks took the swingman who averaged more than 23 points and 10 rebounds per game while healthy as a junior with the fourth overall pick in the 1966 NBA Draft.

It was a great decision.

ATL_08_HUDSON
ATL_08_HUDSON /

Hudson was a six-time All-Star with the Hawks, earning All-Rookie honors in 1966-67 and an All-NBA nod in 1969-70.

He was fourth in the NBA in scoring in 1972-73, finishing fifth in both 1969-70 and 1970-71. He was also third in the league in field-goal percentage in 1969-70.

In September 1977, the Hawks traded Hudson to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Ollie Johnson.

In 11 seasons in St. Louis and Atlanta, Hudson averaged 22.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 35.4 minutes per game, shooting 48.7 percent from the floor and 79.5 percent at the line.

Hudson retired after the 1978-79 season.

Hudson died April 11, 2014, in Atlanta, about a month after a debilitating stroke. He was 69.

Next: Recognition Piles Up After Arrival In Atlanta

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