Hawks’ Quin Snyder credits G League for Kobe Bufkin’s development: ‘He has progressed’
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 in the G League for the majority of the season with the College Park Skyhawks, averaging 23.6 points, 5.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 14 appearances. He has registered 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 throughout the year 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 for him.
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
