Tag: Kobe Bufkin

Hawks’ Kobe Bufkin was spotted in a boot after suffering a toe injury

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin missed his second consecutive game on Wednesday against the Cavaliers after sustaining a toe injury.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Kobe Bufkin missed his second consecutive game after sustaining a toe injury.

The Hawks announced this week that Bufkin is dealing with left big toe soreness. He was seen in a boot while on the bench in their 112-101 victory over the Cavaliers, according to Lauren L. Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

His status for the Hawks’ game on Friday in Memphis isn’t known.

Atlanta, which was also without Trae Young (finger) and Onyeka Okongwu (toe) on Wednesday, posted its second straight win behind 23-point performances from both Saddiq Bey and Bogdan Bogdanovic to maintain ground in the play-in race.

With Young sidelined indefinitely, Bufkin entered the rotation after spending most of the season in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks. He is averaging six points, 3.5 assists and two rebounds over his last four games, including a career-high 12 points on Feb. 29.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks’ Quin Snyder credits G League for Kobe Bufkin’s development: ‘He has progressed’

Hawks coach Quin Snyder believes Kobe Bufkin’s time in the G League has prepared him to contribute in the NBA.

Kobe Bufkin is getting an opportunity to play for the Atlanta Hawks following a finger injury to Trae Young, and the rookie has had a good showing in a limited sample.

Bufkin has been with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League for the majority of the season. With them, he is averaging 23.6 points, 5.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 14 appearances. He has four games with at least 30 points, including a career-high 43 points on Jan. 29.

The 15th pick has earned praise from Hawks head coach Quin Snyder for embracing his G League assignment. His time with the Skyhawks has helped prepare him to contribute with the Hawks, and Snyder can see it paying off.

He has progressed. People forget he was hurt up until January, so every time I’m asked this question, I offer the same answer about the G League and the value of actually playing minutes on so many levels and going down there with a plan. We’re very meticulous and detailed about what we want guys to accomplish there and evaluate them that way and he really embraced that.

The biggest things for him as far as how he can help our team right now and how he can have, I think, success over the course of his career, but particularly when you’re 20: His ability to defend the ball and, frankly, his decision-making. His efficiency, knowing when to shoot and when to pass.

Bufkin missed much of the first half of the season after suffering a thumb fracture on assignment with the Skyhawks. He eventually was cleared to return to action in January and has improved each month after playing in the G League.

He has been in the rotation with the Hawks for the past four games, averaging six points, 3.5 assists and two rebounds. He has shown a glimpse of his future production on offense and has given the team another perimeter defender.

Bufkin has impressed his teammates and coaching staff in the early going. The organization is high on his potential and believes he can eventually develop into a cornerstone.

Note: Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire contributed to this story

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks’ Trae Young on Kobe Bufkin: ‘I’m loving what I’m seeing from him’

Kobe Bufkin hasn’t played very much with the Hawks, but two-time All-star Trae Young has been impressed by the rookie on and off the court.

Kobe Bufkin hasn’t played very much with the Atlanta Hawks, but franchise cornerstone Trae Young has been impressed by the rookie on and off the court this season.

Bufkin has spent the majority of the season in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks. He logged his third appearance with the Hawks on Tuesday in a 16-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring his first career points on a 3-pointer with 27.6 seconds left.

With the Skyhawks off until Thursday, Bufkin was with the Hawks and had the opportunity to get in the game. He also had the opportunity to learn from Young and the rest of the team on the bench, which stood out to the two-time All-Star.

I watch guys from a distance and see how they act, how they learn. You can tell he is a sponge to learning. Even when he is on the bench with us tonight: He sits right next to me a lot when I’m on the bench, and he is just watching. We’re talking, and you can tell he is learning. Whenever I’m watching him in the G League doing what he does and coming off screens, it’s just too easy for him down there, and that’s what it’s supposed to be if you’re a league dude and he is definitely a league dude.

Bufkin is averaging 23.5 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals on 43.9% shooting from the field in 13 games with the Skyhawks. He has scored at least 30 points four times, including a career-high 43 points and nine rebounds on Monday, which Young saw firsthand.

He is ninth in the G League in scoring during the regular season.

The 15th pick recently earned praise from Hawks head coach Quin Snyder for embracing his assignment in the G League. The organization has kept him with the Skyhawks to play extended minutes and stay in a rhythm on the court, and it looks to be paying off.

The team is high on his potential and believes he can eventually develop into a cornerstone. Young already sees it and thinks he isn’t too far off from reaching that level.

“He is down there getting reps, and you can tell what he is doing down there is paying off for him,” Young said. “Ultimately, one day, it’s going to help him up here. I’ve been loving seeing what he is doing for our G League team, and I just want him to stay with it and stay at it because one day, he is going to get his opportunity, and it is going to pay off for him. I’m loving what I’m seeing from him because he can do it all.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin dropped first 40-point game in G League

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin is now one of 13 players in the G League to score at least 40 points in a game this season.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin had a career performance on Monday in the G League to lead the College Park Skyhawks in a loss to the Ontario Clippers.

Bufkin produced 43 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal in the 122-118 loss at Gateway Center Arena. He finished 12-of-24 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, in 36 minutes as the Skyhawks dropped to 9-5.

The 15th pick is one of 13 players in the G League to score at least 40 points in a game this season. He had 25 points in the first half, including 15 points in the first quarter.

Bufkin is averaging 23.5 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals on 43.9% shooting from the field in 13 games with the Skyhawks. He has scored at least 30 points four times and is 10th in the G League in scoring during the regular season.

He recently earned praise from Hawks head coach Quin Snyder for embracing his assignment in the G League. The organization has kept him with the Skyhawks to play extended minutes and stay in a rhythm on the court.

The organization has previously rejected two trades involving Bufkin and believes he has a bright future. They are high on his potential and saw some of that in his latest effort on Monday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks coach Quin Snyder praises Kobe Bufkin for embracing G League

Kobe Bufkin has spent the majority of the season in the G League and recently earned praise from Quin Snyder for embracing the assignment.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin has spent the majority of the season in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks and recently earned praise from coach Quin Snyder for embracing the assignment.

Bufkin suffered a fractured thumb with the Skyhawks in November and eventually debuted with the team on Dec. 27. He made only two appearances with the Hawks prior to the injury and has mostly remained with the Skyhawks.

The Hawks are dealing with some injuries of late but have opted to keep Bufkin in the G League. Snyder believes it is important for him to stay with the Skyhawks, according to Lauren L. Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Kobe is in a good place. He is playing in College Park and doing a great job, and that experience for him, I think, is really important. He has done a great job of embracing it, as well. Kobe will be back with the Hawks at some point, but right now, I think we’re in a good place with everything where we are. It is something that (general manager) Landry (Fields) and I talked about, as well. We’re prioritizing that for Kobe right now.

Bufkin is averaging 22.4 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 42.8% shooting from the field in nine games with the Skyhawks. He has scored in double figures eight times, including a season-high 33 points, six assists and five rebounds on Dec. 31.

The 15th pick had a solid run with the Hawks in the preseason and earned praise from Snyder for his ability to score and run the offense. He has shown flashes of that skill set early with the Skyhawks and will look to improve with more reps.

The organization has previously rejected two trades involving Bufkin and believes he has a bright future ahead. They are high on his potential and will look to tap into that this year and beyond.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Rumor: Hawks’ Kobe Bufkin viewed as untouchable in trade discussions

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin is reportedly viewed as untouchable in trade discussions ahead of the deadline on Feb. 8.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin is reportedly viewed as untouchable in trade discussions ahead of the deadline on Feb. 8, according to John Hollinger of The Atheltic.

The Hawks have been active in trade talks and are reportedly ready to trade Dejounte Murray. They have engaged with several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, over his availability and appear to be set on moving the All-Star guard.

Although the Hawks appear open for business, the team isn’t expected to include cornerstone Trae Young, Jalen Johnson or Bufkin in potential trade conversations.

Johnson is a rising force who is still under a team-friendly rookie contract for another season and is the other obvious keeper. After that, everything should be on the table, and league sources say that is indeed the case. (My spies say the Hawks also have described rookie guard Kobe Bufkin as untouchable, but would they walk away from a deal over him?)

The Hawks selected Bufkin with the 15th pick last year after a strong freshman campaign at Michigan. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has praised his ability to score and run the offense, traits that were displayed in the preseason.

The organization previously rejected a trade proposal that included Bufkin before the season when it was involved in discussions for Toronto forward Pascal Siakam. Snyder is high on his potential and fought for him to stay on the roster.

Bufkin has mostly played in the G League this season after making just two appearances with the Hawks. He is averaging 25.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals and one block on 42% shooting from the field in six games with the Skyhawks.

The Hawks are among the teams that should be active before the deadline next month. Plenty of changes could come, but Bufkin should be among the players that remain on the roster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin labeled as potential Spurs trade target

Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Kobe Bufkin was floated as a potential San Antonio Spurs trade target.

The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the worst teams in the league this year. That said, the awe of Victor Wembanyama has masked most of their struggles, as he clearly has the talent to be a franchise player for the Spurs moving forward. San Antonio’s focus needs to be on building around him.

So far this year, point guard play has been the team’s weak spot. They tried running Jeremy Sochan at the one, but once that failed, they moved on to a committee of him, Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, and Malaki Branham. However, they should still be looking to add talent at the one.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently concocted a list of every team’s potential top trade targets. For the Spurs, he suggested Atlanta Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin.

Bufkin has only appeared in two games for the Hawks this year, but he’s been getting some run in the G League. In three games with the College Park Skyhawks, Bufkin has averaged 32.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while shooting 55.2% from the field and 30.8% from the floor.

Buckley also mentioned the Spurs could target draft picks or Golden State Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski, who doesn’t seem to be on the trade block, as the Warriors give him a ton of playing time.

“Otherwise, San Antonio can target players with a realistic chance of growing alongside Wembanyama,” Buckley wrote. “Both Podziemski and Bufkin would have a chance to do just that, since they are capable of creating offense but also add value off the ball, meaning they wouldn’t get in the way of Wembanyama’s on-ball development.”

Adding Bufkin to the rotation would give the Spurs another talented guard to develop alongside Wembanyama, as well as another potential future point guard option.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Hawks’ Kobe Bufkin is averaging 32 points on G League assignment

After missing several weeks with a fractured left thumb, Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin is off to a strong start on assignment in the G League.

After missing several weeks with a fractured left thumb, Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Kobe Bufkin is off to a strong start on assignment in the G League.

The Hawks announced on Nov. 3 that Bufkin sustained the injury while practicing with the College Park Skyhawks. He was cleared to return to game action last week and has made three appearances with the Skyhawks.

Bufkin has registered two 30-point games and is averaging 32 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds on 55.2% shooting from the field. He produced a game-high 33 points, six assists and five rebounds his last time out on Sunday in a win over the Iowa Wolves.

Bufkin, 20, had a solid run with the Hawks in the preseason and earned praise from coach Quin Snyder. He has shown flashes on the court and can play with or without the ball. He projects to eventually be a good fit with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young.

The 15th pick has only made two appearances with the Hawks in the regular season. He will likely remain with the Skyhawks to log consistent minutes on the court and get back into a rhythm, with playing time at a premium in Atlanta.

Bufkin was highly touted for his ability to run the offense and score in college at Michigan. The lefty is showcasing some of those traits and is a player for which the organization has high expectations.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks: Rookie Kobe Bufkin out 2 weeks with left thumb fracture

Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin will miss at least two weeks after suffering a left thumb fracture on assignment in the G League.

Atlanta Hawks rookie Kobe Bufkin will miss at least two weeks after suffering a left thumb fracture on assignment in the G League, the team announced.

Bufkin had been assigned to the College Park Skyhawks and was practicing with the team. He suffered the injury on Thursday night, and an X-ray taken on Friday revealed the fracture. The team said Bufkin will be reevaluated in two weeks and his status will be updated.

The 15th pick has totaled one point and two rebounds in four minutes across two appearances so far this season. He averaged 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 on 31.9% shooting from the field in five preseason games.

Bufkin, 20, had a solid run with the Hawks in the preseason and earned some praise from coach Quin Snyder. He has shown flashes on the court and can play with or without the ball, and projects to eventually be a good fit with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young.

He was highly touted for his ability to run the offense and score last season at Michigan. The lefty showcased some of those traits in the early going and is a player the organization has high expectations for.

“He is one of those guys that’s just a sponge,” Snyder said on Oct. 20. “He wants to get better and we’ve been demanding of him. We want to continue to be, and that’s what he wants, too. I think he’s got a high bar for himself, and we have one for him.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]

Hawks’ Quin Snyder on rookie Kobe Bufkin: ‘He’s a really mature player’

Kobe Bufkin had a good run in the preseason, and head coach Quin Snyder has liked what he has seen from him.

Kobe Bufkin had a good run with the Atlanta Hawks in the preseason, and head coach Quin Snyder has liked what he has seen from the rookie in the early going.

Bufkin averaged 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 on 31.9% shooting from the field in five games this preseason. He had his best outing on Oct. 12: 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal in a win over Memphis.

He has shown flashes on the court and can play with or without the ball. He fits in well with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, and he has a good understanding of how the Hawks want to play.

Snyder complimented him on his maturity.

He is a really mature player for his age. He has got a feel for the game. Sometimes, you hear the expression the game hasn’t slowed down yet. In Kobe’s case, I think his ability to not get sped up, to make reads. … He is not always making the high percentage read, but his awareness in what’s going on on the floor and what those situations are — just his coachability. He is one of those guys that’s just a sponge. He wants to get better and we’ve been demanding of him. We want to continue to be, and that’s what he wants, too. I think he’s got a high bar for himself, and we have one for him.

Atlanta selected Bufkin with the 15th pick this year after a strong freshman campaign at Michigan. He debuted with the team in the NBA Summer League, averaging 14 points, 3.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds in five appearances.

Bufkin, 20, was highly touted for his ability to run the offense and score last season. The lefty showcased some of those traits this preseason and is a player the organization has high expectations for, as Snyder alluded to this week.

Certainly, the Hawks believe Bufkin has a bright future after a strong debut in summer league and the preseason. He should have a productive rookie campaign this year, as a result.

Note: Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire contributed to this story

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1412]