Hawks' first-round pick to play in Spain

Center Lucas Nogueira, a first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in this year's NBA draft, will play another season in Spain, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday.

The 7-foot Nogueira, a native of Brazil who was the 16th overall draft pick, will play for Asefa Estudiantes Madrid while the Hawks maintain his rights.

"We are very encouraged by what we've seen from Lucas this summer," Hawks general manager Danny Ferry told the Journal-Constitution. "Going back to Estudiantes will allow him to continue develop while also playing meaningful minutes against very good competition. We will closely monitor his progress as he works towards his goals as a basketball player."