Atlanta Hawks: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Paul Millsap (4) defend against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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2. Lou Hudson (SG) — No. 4 pick in 1966 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Hawks): 730 GP, 22.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 48.7 FG%, 79.5 FT%

As the franchise moved from St. Louis to become the Atlanta Hawks, the most important asset to come along for the ride was shooting guard Lou Hudson.

Hudson was such an exceptional athlete he was also drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a wide receiver in the 1966 NFL Draft. The high scoring guard coanchored one of the most exciting backcourts in league history, teaming with point guard Pete Maravich to bring an exciting brand of basketball to a new city.

Hudson was one of the most unstoppable scorers during the 1970s, as he poured in 21 or more points seven times during his 11 seasons in Atlanta, capped off with a career-high of 27.1 points per game during the 1972-73 campaign.

The league recognized his efforts by naming him to the All-Star team six times and naming him to the All-NBA second team in 1969-70. The 16,049 points Hudson scored during his tenure with the Hawks ranks as the third-most in franchise history.

As one of just five players to have his number (23) retired, along with Dikembe Mutombo (55), Pete Maravich (44), Dominique Wilkins (21) and Bob Pettit (9), Hudson served as the foundation for the Hawks franchise during their formative years in Atlanta.

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