Atlanta Hawks: 2018 NBA Draft grades

No. 30: Omari Spellman, Villanova

Once again, the Hawks went with shooting by drafting Omari Spellman out of Villanova. This time it was a big man instead of going with another guard. Spellman is one of the better shooting big men in this class.

He probably would have benefited from going back to college for at least one more season, but he’s a first-rounder anyway. In his one year at Villanova, he averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.8 steals. He also shot the ball 47.6 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from 3 on 3.8 attempts.

Here’s a quick look at what Atlanta will be getting.

In his one year, however, Spellman was a part of a winning team and that should help the Hawks. He will more than likely be coming off the bench for the Hawks while last year’s rookie, John Collins, starts. Spellman may never be a starter, but he should be a good stretch player off the bench who could even play the 5 in a pinch.

Spellman never stood out because of the other talents on the team like Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. Two of those players went in the first round and Bridges was even a top-10 pick.

It appears fans and other Villanova fans are happy with the pick. You can’t go wrong with Spellman at 30 and he will prove why he was a first round pick. pick. He may never be a starter or even a star, but the Hawks can walk away knowing they have found a solid player off the bench.

Spellman can hold his own on defense and that should be an added bonus off the bench. The Hawks traded Ersan Ilyasova midseason last year, and adding Spellman fixes that loss.

Grade: B