Atlanta Hawks: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
3. Pete Maravich (PG) — No. 3 pick in 1970 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Hawks): 302 GP, 24.3 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 44.8 FG%, 80.9 FT%
While his stint with the Hawks organization may have lasted just four years, the impact of Pete Maravich has been felt for decades.
When the Atlanta Hawks were able to combine Maravich with Lou Hudson in the backcourt, the two jelled immediately, combining to score 50 points a game. Maravich was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team as he posted 23.2 points and 4.4 assists per game in his debut season.
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While Maravich thrived individually, posting scoring averages of 26.1 points during the 1972-73 campaign and 27.7 points a year later, the lack of team success — Atlanta registered just one winning season with the flashy point guard on the roster — placed him on the trade market.
Maravich’s tenure in Atlanta lasted just four seasons, but he joined Lou Hudson, Dominique Wilkins and Bob Pettit as the only players in franchise history to score 2,000 or more points — a feat he accomplished in consecutive seasons.
The Hawks traded Maravich to the Jazz for Bob Kauffman, Dean Meminger, a 1974 first round pick, a 1975 first round pick, a 1975 second round pick, a 1976 second round pick and a third round pick in 1980.
During his 10-year career, Maravich was selected to five All-Star games, named to the All-NBA First Team twice and led the league in scoring during the 1976-77 campaign with 31.1 points per game.
Maravich was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1989 and was named one of the 50 best players in league history in 1996.
Along with Atlanta retiring his No. 44, Maravich had the same number retired by Louisiana State and the Jazz honored him by hanging No. 7 in the rafters.