Atlanta Hawks Players: Who’s On the Floor at State Farm Arena?

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are planning a trip built around a game at State Farm Arena, knowing the players of the Atlanta Hawks makes the whole experience more fun and meaningful. This guide walks through how the roster is built, the types of players you’ll see, where they play in the city, and how to keep up with changes across the season.

How the Atlanta Hawks Roster Works

The Atlanta Hawks are Atlanta’s NBA franchise, playing home games in Downtown Atlanta at State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303). Their roster is made up of several main groups:

• Starting lineup – usually 5 key players who begin each game
• Bench players (rotation players) – the main backups who play significant minutes
• Depth players – situational or developmental options
• Two-way contract players – split time between the Hawks and their G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks

NBA rules limit how many players can be on an active roster, so as a fan in Atlanta you’ll regularly see news about:

• Trades with other NBA teams
• Free-agent signings
• G League call-ups from College Park
• Injury updates that affect who suits up on game night

If you’re heading downtown for a game, it’s common to check the latest roster and injury report the morning of, because last-minute changes can impact who you actually see on the floor.

Key Types of Atlanta Hawks Players You’ll Hear About

Instead of memorizing every name, it helps to understand the roles and positions you’ll see when watching a game in Atlanta.

Guards

These are typically the primary ball handlers and playmakers.

• Point guards – bring the ball up the court, run the offense
• Shooting guards – often strong perimeter shooters and scorers

In Atlanta, guards usually drive much of the team’s tempo, especially in home games where the crowd energy at State Farm Arena rewards fast-paced, exciting play.

Forwards

These players blend inside scoring with perimeter skills.

• Small forwards – versatile, can defend multiple positions
• Power forwards – often rebounders and interior scorers, but many stretch the floor with shooting

When you hear local talk radio or fans near Centennial Olympic Park discussing the team, they’re often debating which forwards can best complement the Hawks’ star guards.

Centers

Centers typically anchor the paint:

• Rim protection and shot-blocking
• Rebounding on both ends
• Dunks, put-backs, and interior offense

For Atlanta fans, centers often become fan favorites because big blocks or powerful dunks tend to light up the arena and get the city buzzing after a win.

How the Hawks Develop Players in Metro Atlanta

The Hawks don’t just appear on the floor in Downtown; a lot of player development happens just south of the city.

College Park Skyhawks: The G League Connection

The College Park Skyhawks, based in College Park, Georgia, are the Hawks’ official NBA G League affiliate. This is where:

• Two-way players split time between the Hawks and Skyhawks
• Young players get extra minutes and experience
• The Hawks experiment with lineups and roles before using them in Atlanta

If you’re in the metro area, catching a Skyhawks game can be a cheaper, more intimate way to see players who may later play major minutes under the bright lights at State Farm Arena.

Practice, Training, and Player Support in Atlanta

Hawks players spend a lot of time in the city outside of games:

• Practice facilities in the greater Atlanta area are where players work on conditioning, shooting, and team schemes.
• Team medical staff and trainers help players stay healthy through a long season.
• Community events around Atlanta – youth clinics, charity events, and appearances – give locals a chance to see players up close, away from the court.

Keeping an eye on local Atlanta news and the team’s official communication channels is the best way to find out when players will be at public events around the city.

What Atlanta Fans Should Know on Game Day

When you’re going to a Hawks game in Atlanta, understanding the roster helps you enjoy the night more.

Starters vs. Bench: Who You’ll See Most

On a typical night at State Farm Arena, you’ll notice:

• Starters play the bulk of minutes, especially in the 1st and 3rd quarters
• Top bench players come in late 1st and early 2nd quarter, then again in the 4th depending on game situation
• Deep bench and developmental players may only appear during blowouts or when injuries push them up the depth chart

If you’re bringing someone to their first Hawks game, it can help to:

• Point out the starting five during introductions
• Explain who the key scorers, defenders, and playmakers are
• Show them how substitutions change the team’s style as the game goes on

Sample Roster View: How a Hawks Depth Chart Might Look

This is a generic example of how a Hawks roster could be organized. Names change over time, but the structure stays similar:

When you hear Atlanta sports talk or see coverage from local outlets, discussions usually revolve around:

• How well the star guard(s) are playing
• Whether the wings and bigs are defending consistently
• Which bench players are stepping up at home vs. on the road

Where the Hawks Play and How to Experience the Players in Atlanta

State Farm Arena: The Home Court

Address:
State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

This is where you’ll see the full Hawks roster in action. If you want to be closer to the players:

• Lower bowl seats along the sideline put you close to the bench, where you can watch how different players interact with coaches.
• Seats near the tunnels give you a glimpse of players entering and exiting the court.
• Arriving early lets you watch pre-game warmups, where players often practice specific shots and routines.

Getting There

From across Atlanta, common options include:

• MARTA:
  • CNN Center / State Farm Arena Station (Blue/Green Line) is directly adjacent.
• Driving:
  • Multiple parking decks and surface lots around the arena.
• Rideshare:
  • Designated pickup/drop-off areas are usually marked around the arena on game nights.

Knowing the roster can shape your experience: you might choose seats behind the Hawks bench to watch coaching interactions, or closer to the basket to see bigs and rim protectors up close.

Following Atlanta Hawks Player News During the Season

If you live in Atlanta or follow the team from nearby suburbs like Decatur, Sandy Springs, or East Point, staying updated on players is simple:

• Listen to local sports radio and Atlanta-focused sports segments for roster updates and trade talk.
• Check game previews on local TV for who’s in, who’s out, and expected starting lineups.
• Follow preseason news each fall to see which new players have joined the Hawks and who might earn a rotation spot.

Common player-related updates you’ll see:

• Injury status – who’s available for the next home stand
• Trade deadline moves – often a big discussion across Atlanta in mid-season
• Rookie development – how new players are adjusting to the league and to playing in front of Atlanta crowds

Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta

If you’re just getting into the Hawks or you’re visiting Atlanta and want to understand the players quickly:

• ⭐ Skim the current starting lineup before the game so you can recognize the main faces.
• ⭐ Learn 2–3 key bench players, since they often change the momentum when they check in.
• ⭐ Notice how different lineups play: smaller lineups tend to run and shoot more; bigger lineups slow things down and control the paint.
• ⭐ If you have kids with you, point out the most energetic players—they’re usually the ones celebrating big plays and interacting with the crowd.

By understanding how the players of the Atlanta Hawks fit together, you’ll get much more out of every trip to State Farm Arena and every conversation about the team around Atlanta.