After the 2025 NBA Draft concluded, the Atlanta Hawks made two under-the-radar moves. They signed Kobe Johnson, Jalen Johnson’s brother, to an Exhibit 10 deal. Many Hawks fans look forward to seeing Kobe Johnson prove himself at Summer League, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
The other signing hasn’t received much publicity but has a bigger impact on the 2025-26 campaign. Atlanta signed Eli Ndiaye of Real Madrid to a two-way contract. His squad, which includes former Hawks players Walter Tavares and Bruno Fernando, won the Liga ACB championship this past season. He has shown outstanding flashes of athleticism, rim protection, and three-point shooting early in Summer League.
Hawks Two-Way Player Impresses Early In Las Vegas
N’Diaye Shows Versatility in Second-Half Comeback
Atlanta completed a 13-point, second-half comeback in Friday’s opening victory over the Miami Heat. Kobe Bufkin and Jacob Toppin led a 14-0 run to take a 91-89 lead late in the fourth. However, Ndiaye converted on two key plays to seal the victory down the stretch. His hustle resulted in a put-back layup, and on the next possession, he knocked down a clutch corner triple off an exquisite dime from Bufkin.
Kobe finds Eli for threeeeee pic.twitter.com/I5FOsBt7MS
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 11, 2025
The Hawks never trailed after Ndiaye splashed this triple. Last season for Real Madrid, he shot 29% on 2.2 attempts from deep per game. He converted one of his four threes against the Heat. His perimeter game is still a work in progress, but as a two-way player, look for the Hawks to prioritize his development in Las Vegas. He finished his debut with 12 points (4-8 shooting), six rebounds, two assists, one block, and a steal in 20 minutes. The 21-year-old forward closed the contest over Nelly Junior Joseph, who started the game at center.
N’Diaye displayed great defensive instincts throughout the contest against Miami, contesting shots at the rim from the weakside. He fits right into Atlanta’s play style on both ends, which includes versatile, athletic big men who can run the floor. Perhaps his most impressive sequence came on defense against a two-on-one fastbreak. Miami’s Keshad Johnson climbed the ladder, but Ndiaye emphatically sent back his dunk attempt.
What a block by Eli Ndiaye
pic.twitter.com/4liiD9drDo
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 11, 2025
After a hard fall, Ndiaye went to the bench but returned to action without any limitations or lingering effects.
How Much Will Bailey Play N’Diaye Next to Asa Newell?
The Hawks traded down to the 23rd pick in last month’s draft and took Asa Newell. He started at power forward next to Joseph against the Heat, but Ndiaye outplayed the latter. Hawks Summer League head coach Bryan Bailey has an interesting decision to make. Does he experiment with starting N’Diaye next to Newell?
Joseph, who plays more like a traditional center than Newell or Ndiaye, is listed at 6-foot-10. Newell measured 6-foot-9 at the NBA Draft Combine, while Ndiaye is listed at 6-foot-8. Joseph gives the Hawks more length and size down low, while Ndiaye and Newell provide more versatility and athleticism. When the Hawks trailed the Heat in the fourth quarter, Bailey closed with Newell and Ndiaye. Was this change just because Atlanta needed an offensive boost with pace, or was it a glimpse into future lineups?
Hawks fans want to keep an eye on this trend for the 2025-26 campaign, as Newell and Ndiaye will likely spend time together with the College Park Skyhawks.
Photo credit: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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