The Greatest Atlanta Hawks Players of All Time (and How to Experience Their Legacy in Atlanta)

Atlanta basketball fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and loyal—so when people ask about the best Atlanta Hawks players, they’re usually asking two things at once:

1. Who are the greatest Hawks of all time?
2. How can I experience that history and culture right here in Atlanta?

This guide walks through the top Atlanta Hawks players in franchise history, the best current Hawks to watch, and practical tips for enjoying Hawks basketball in Atlanta—from State Farm Arena to local fan spots.

How the Atlanta Hawks Greats Are Usually Ranked

When Atlanta fans talk about the best Hawks players, they usually look at:

• Impact on winning (playoff runs, deep postseason success)
• Longevity in Atlanta (years played with the Hawks)
• Individual honors (All-Star selections, All-NBA, awards)
• Connection to the city (fan favorites, community presence, lasting legacy)

No list is perfect, but certain names come up over and over when you walk into State Farm Arena, barbershops around the city, or sports bars in Downtown and Buckhead.

To keep things clear, this guide splits the discussion into:

• All-time Atlanta Hawks legends
• Modern-era and current Hawks stars
• Where and how to connect with Hawks history in Atlanta

All-Time Atlanta Hawks Legends

These are the names most Atlanta fans consider the core of Hawks history. Many are honored in the rafters at State Farm Arena in Downtown Atlanta.

Dominique Wilkins – “The Human Highlight Film”

For most Atlantans, Dominique Wilkins is the first name that comes to mind.

• Position: Small Forward
• Era: 1982–1994 (Hawks)
• Why he’s a legend in Atlanta:
  • One of the most prolific scorers in NBA history
  • Known for electric dunks and rivalry games, especially versus Larry Bird’s Celtics
  • Multiple All-Star appearances and scoring titles
  • His No. 21 jersey is retired by the Hawks

If you go to a game at State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303), you’ll see Wilkins’ presence everywhere—from banners to photos to video highlights on the big screen. He’s also been involved with team broadcasts and community events, keeping a strong connection to the city.

For Atlanta fans:
Wilkins represents the era when the Hawks helped put Atlanta basketball on the national map. Older fans around the city often measure every new star against the standard he set.

Bob Pettit – The Franchise’s First True Superstar

While some newer fans know mainly the Atlanta years, the Hawks’ history includes their time in St. Louis, and Bob Pettit is a central part of that history that still belongs to the franchise.

• Position: Power Forward
• Era: 1954–1965 (Hawks franchise)
• Why he matters to Atlanta’s Hawks story:
  • Led the team to an NBA championship before the franchise moved to Atlanta
  • Two-time league MVP
  • Multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections
  • His No. 9 jersey is retired by the Hawks

Even though Pettit never played in Atlanta, fans who care about the full franchise story recognize him as one of the greatest Hawks ever. When you see historical displays connected to the team, Pettit’s name and achievements are usually featured.

Lou Hudson – Smooth Scorer and Atlanta Era Star

Lou Hudson helped define the early Atlanta years of the Hawks.

• Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
• Era: 1966–1977 (Hawks)
• Key points:
  • One of the most consistent scorers in team history
  • Multiple All-Star selections
  • Formed a strong core with Pete Maravich and Walt Bellamy in the early 1970s
  • No. 23 jersey retired by the Hawks

In conversations around the city, older Hawks fans regularly mention Hudson as one of the most underrated stars in NBA history, not just in Atlanta.

“Pistol” Pete Maravich – Short Stay, Huge Legacy

Pete Maravich played only a portion of his career with the Hawks, but his impact is still remembered.

• Position: Guard
• Era: 1970–1974 (Hawks)
• Why he’s remembered:
  • Flashy ball handling and creative passing
  • Brought excitement and national attention to the franchise
  • A cult favorite among basketball purists

Fans in Atlanta today often know Maravich through highlights and historical coverage. While his jersey isn’t retired by the Hawks, his time here is still part of the team’s storied past.

Dikembe Mutombo – Defense and Identity

In the 1990s, Dikembe Mutombo gave the Hawks a defensive identity that matched Atlanta’s gritty, competitive spirit.

• Position: Center
• Era: 1996–2001 (Hawks)
• Key contributions:
  • Multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards during his Hawks tenure
  • Famous shot-blocking and finger wag
  • Anchored playoff teams and made Atlanta a tough out in the East
  • No. 55 jersey retired by the Hawks

If you attend a game in Atlanta, you’ll almost always see Mutombo highlights on the scoreboard, and his name comes up often when locals talk about the toughest Hawks players.

Joe Johnson – The Steady Star of the 2000s

In the mid-2000s and early 2010s, Joe Johnson became the face of the Hawks.

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Era: 2005–2012 (Hawks)
• Why Atlanta remembers him well:
  • Multiple All-Star appearances while with the Hawks
  • Key figure in restoring the team to consistent playoff appearances
  • Reliable scorer and late-game option

Around Atlanta, fans often credit Johnson with helping the Hawks regain relevance after some quieter years, paving the way for later success.

Al Horford – Foundation of Consistent Winners

Al Horford is closely tied to one of the most stable and successful periods in Atlanta Hawks history.

• Position: Center / Power Forward
• Era: 2007–2016 (Hawks)
• Impact in Atlanta:
  • Core piece of multiple playoff teams, including the 60-win 2014–2015 season
  • Known for versatility, leadership, and professionalism
  • Well-respected in the locker room and across the league

In Atlanta, Horford is remembered as the steady cornerstone of Hawks teams that regularly made the postseason and helped grow the fan base.

The 2014–2015 Core – “Team Over Superstar”

The 2014–2015 Hawks are legendary among Atlanta fans because they showed what a true team could do.

Key players from that era include:

• Al Horford
• Paul Millsap
• Jeff Teague
• Kyle Korver
• DeMarre Carroll

They were sometimes described as playing like a “Spurs-style” offense—unselfish, balanced, and team-first. In Atlanta, that season created a major wave of local pride and packed State Farm Arena (then Philips Arena) consistently.

Quick Snapshot: All-Time Atlanta Hawks Greats

Many Atlanta fans would build their all-time Hawks lineup from this group, with additions depending on personal preference and era.

Modern Era & Current Hawks: The New Faces of Atlanta Basketball

For people living in or visiting Atlanta right now, the current Hawks roster is what you’ll experience live at State Farm Arena. One name stands out above all:

Trae Young – The New Franchise Star

Trae Young has quickly become the centerpiece of the modern Hawks.

• Position: Point Guard
• Era: 2018–present (Hawks)
• Why he matters in Atlanta today:
  • Elite range and playmaking, with regular highlight-reel passes and deep threes
  • Multiple All-Star selections
  • Led Atlanta to a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals early in his career
  • Central figure in the team’s current offensive style

In Atlanta, discussions about the future of the franchise almost always start with Young. If you go to a game downtown, you’ll hear kids in Hawks gear calling out his name during warmups and trying to imitate his deep shots.

Other Key Recent and Current Hawks

Depending on the current season, rosters change, but a few names have shaped the recent Hawks identity:

• John Collins (PF) – High-flying forward who became a fan favorite for dunks and pick-and-roll chemistry with Trae Young before being traded.
• Dejounte Murray (G) – Two-way guard known for defense, midrange scoring, and on-ball creation.
• Clint Capela (C) – Rebounding, rim protection, and lob finishing; a key interior presence.

Around Atlanta’s sports bars and barber chairs, these names come up frequently when people debate the best current Hawks players and where the team is heading.

Experiencing Hawks History and Stars in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to **connect with the best Hawks players—past and present—**there are several ways to do it.

1. Attend a Game at State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is the heart of the Hawks experience.

• Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Location: Downtown Atlanta, near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the CNN Center area

What you’ll get:

• Live look at current stars like Trae Young
• Tributes and video packages featuring Dominique Wilkins, Mutombo, and other legends
• Retired jersey banners hanging above the court
• The energy of Atlanta fans, from die-hards in the lower bowl to families in the upper deck

Tip:
For many fans, the pregame warmups are a great time to see players up close and snap photos, especially if you arrive early.

2. Look for Hawks-Themed Events and Community Appearances

The Hawks organization often connects with the city through:

• Youth basketball programs and clinics
• Community events in neighborhoods around Atlanta
• Special appearances by former players and team ambassadors

If you live in the metro area, staying tuned to official Hawks communication channels can help you catch when a Hawks legend might be appearing at a local event.

3. Visit Atlanta Sports Bars and Fan Spots

On game nights, especially during the playoffs, many places around Atlanta lean heavily into Hawks fandom. You’ll often find:

• Fans debating who the greatest Hawk of all time is (Dominique vs. Pettit vs. others)
• Live reactions to Trae Young’s big plays
• Jerseys honoring past legends worn by longtime locals

Common areas where Hawks fans gather include:

• Downtown Atlanta, close to State Farm Arena
• Midtown and Buckhead, where sports bars frequently show Hawks games
• Neighborhood spots across the metro area where local fan bases gather regularly

The best approach is to look for places that reliably show Atlanta games and attract a crowd on game nights—you’ll quickly hear strong opinions about the team’s history.

4. Learn the Retired Numbers and Banners

If you’re in the arena or following along from home, knowing which numbers hang in the rafters helps you understand who Atlanta has chosen to immortalize:

• No. 9 – Bob Pettit
• No. 21 – Dominique Wilkins
• No. 23 – Lou Hudson
• No. 44 – Pete Maravich (recognized across his career, not only Hawks)
• No. 55 – Dikembe Mutombo

These banners serve as a quick, visual way to see who the franchise and city honor most.

How Locals Typically Rank the Best Hawks Ever

There’s no single official ranking, but if you ask lifelong Atlanta fans, a common all-time Hawks top tier looks something like:

1. Dominique Wilkins – Most iconic Atlanta Hawk
2. Bob Pettit – All-time great, era-defining star
3. Lou Hudson – Elite scorer, key Atlanta-era figure
4. Dikembe Mutombo – Defensive anchor and fan favorite
5. Al Horford / Joe Johnson – Shared credit for revival and steady playoff success

You’ll also hear strong arguments that Trae Young, if he stays in Atlanta and continues at a high level, could move into this top tier based on his early achievements and playoff impact.

If You’re New to Atlanta or New to the Hawks

For someone just arriving in Atlanta or newly following the team:

• Learn the names Dominique Wilkins, Bob Pettit, Lou Hudson, Mutombo, Horford, and Trae Young—you’ll hear them often.
• If you attend a game at State Farm Arena, take a moment to look up at the banners and retired jerseys; it’s the fastest way to understand who the city celebrates.
• When you talk sports with locals—at work, in rideshares, or at neighborhood bars—asking, “Who’s your all-time favorite Hawk?” is an easy way to start a lively conversation.

Knowing the best Atlanta Hawks players isn’t just about stats; in this city, it’s about understanding the players who helped define Atlanta’s sports identity and still shape the energy you feel every time the team takes the court downtown.