The Atlanta Hawks did not wait for the regular season to show their rookie point guard some love. On Wednesday, the entire roster surprised Kingston Flemings in San Antonio. The team traveled to his high school to watch his jersey number get retired. This move sends a clear message to the 19-year-old: the squad is in this together. According to Soaring Down South, the players wanted to show they have his back through the good times and the bad.
Building Chemistry Off the Court
Chemistry is the one thing that wins games when talent runs out. A roster full of stars will fail if they cannot connect when the cameras are off. The Hawks know this well. They understood that a young leader needs support before he even steps on the floor for the first game. The surprise trip to San Antonio was not just a nice gesture. It was a calculated move to build trust. As noted by Soaring Down South, these small acts build up over time to help a teenager feel comfortable in a new city.
Flemings faced a tough start in his preseason debut. He was supposed to come off the bench behind veteran CJ McCollum. Late in the day, a modification to the injury report compelled his insertion into the starting lineup. He did not crumble under the pressure. He delivered a solid performance that showed he is ready for the big stage. His teammates know the road will have bumps. They are ready to ride it out with him.
A Different Path for Top Picks
Most top-ten picks do not enter a winning situation right away, many are asked to develop on rebuilding teams. That is not the plan for Flemings. He is expected to play in the nightly rotation from day one. The long-term goal is for him to take over the starting role eventually. Soaring Down South reports that if he keeps showing excellence, his case to start will be clear as early as this year. Patience is key, but the timeline is moving fast.
The team is already thinking about how to mix him with the veterans. CJ McCollum has been the primary ball handler since arriving last season. But the first preseason game gave no clear answers on the starting five. Lu Dort and McCollum both sat out that game. This allowed Flemings to start with the other four usual starters. The coaching staff is testing different looks to see what works best.
Jalen Johnson Steps Up
The preseason opener also gave fans a look at Jalen Johnson. The Hawks lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 123-132, but the box score does not tell the whole story. Johnson played 18 minutes and showed signs of real improvement. He finished with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. Perfect efficiency marked his six free throws, the game’s highest total, achieved after he forced Memphis to foul him. According to Soaring Down South, this ability to get to the line was a major step forward.
Last season, Johnson struggled when teams forced the game into a half-court offense. He had trouble with his handle and burst out of the triple-threat stance. Against Memphis, he showed he is fixing those issues. He drove straight to the rim and made tough shots in the paint. These are the exact skills he needs to take the next leap in the 2026-27 campaign.
