Hawks select Sharife Cooper with No. 48 pick

With the No. 48 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks have selected Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper.

Cooper's Auburn tenure may have been limited to a dozen outings due to eligibility issues, but the five-star recruit wasted little time establishing himself as a talented playmaker.

The 20-year-old averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 assists under Bruce Pearl and displayed a passing acumen that should translate to the next level. Cooper also earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

Bio

Position: PG
School: Auburn
College experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 180 lbs
Wingspan: N/A
Max vertical: N/A

Strengths

• Among the upper echelon of passers in the draft
• Adept at navigating the pick-and-roll
• Skilled ball-handler
• Can beat defenders off the dribble with a lightning-quick first step
• Ability to take contact while driving the lane

Weaknesses

• Needs to bulk up to handle the rigors of the pro game
• Registered 4.2 turnovers per contest in college
• Shot just 39.1% from the floor and 22.8% from deep
• Lacks the length to be a disruptive defensive presence