NBA Draft 2020: Atlanta Hawks select Skylar Mays with No. 50 overall pick

Travis Schlenk and the Atlanta Hawks stayed put at No. 6 in the 2020 NBA Draft, selecting USC big man Onyeka Okongwu to bolster the team’s frontcourt of the future. From there, the Hawks began the evening with only one other selection on the draft board at No. 50, and the team elected to pick LSU guard Skylar Mays.

Mays, a 23-year-old guard, is listed at 6’4 with a 6’6 wingspan and he is known for his defensive prowess. While he may not bring the name recognition of other options like Cassius Winston, Grant Riller or Paul Reed, Mays is a versatile piece who can bring impressive point-of-attack resistance on the defensive end.

He was a reliable shooter at LSU, averaging 1.12 points per possession in catch-and-shoot opportunities last season and converting 84.5 percent of his free throws in Baton Rouge. As a senior, he converted more than 39 percent of his three-point attempts, which is encouraging for his long-term development.

Though Mays does not project as a dynamic on-ball creator or passer at the NBA level, he has combo guard skills. While expectations should be set at a reasonable level for a late second round selection, there is certainly a potential path to NBA relevance for Mays in Atlanta.

A full, detailed breakdown of Mays can be found here from prior to the draft.

Stay tuned.