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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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Basketball: Atlanta Hawks John Drew (22) in action vs Washington Bullets Bob Dandridge (10) at Capital Centre. Landover, MD 4/12/1978 CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X22291 TK1 )
Basketball: Atlanta Hawks John Drew (22) in action vs Washington Bullets Bob Dandridge (10) at Capital Centre. Landover, MD 4/12/1978 CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X22291 TK1 ) /

SF-PF. 1974-82. John Drew. 18. player. 125. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Second-round pick (25th overall) from Gardner-Webb, 1974 NBA Draft.

John Drew declared for the pros after his sophomore year at Gardner-Webb, during which he averaged almost 26 points and 13 rebounds per game.

His small-college status dropped him into the second round, where the Atlanta Hawks took him 25th overall in the 1974 NBA Draft.

ATL_18_DREW
ATL_18_DREW /

The Hawks unearthed a gem with the pick.

Drew was an All-Rookie selection in 1974-75 and was later named an All-Star twice.

But Drew was running into problems with the NBA’s substance abuse program and in September 1982, he was traded with Freeman Williams to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the rights to unsigned third overall pick Dominique Wilkins.

In eight seasons in Atlanta, Drew averaged 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes per game, shooting .470/.154/.744.

The Jazz waived Drew in December 1984 after he was suspended by the NBA for another drug violation and he played parts of two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association.

He was eventually banned for life by the NBA in 1986.

Drew is 43rd in NBA history with an average of 20.7 points per game.

Next: Second-Round Pick Panned Out Well

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