The Atlanta Hawks open the 2024 NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City on Saturday. For 19-year-old forward Jordan Flemings, that means his first competitive action since his college season ended against Illinois in April.

Flemings sounds eager to return. His last game came sometime in April, he said, and the three-month break has left him itching for 5-on-5 competition. "Just playing, I mean, my last game was (against) Illinois," Flemings said. "I don’t even know when that game was, sometime in April, I think. So, it’s been a while since I played actual 5-on-5. So I’m just excited to go out there and play, play with my guys, and go out there and get a win."

That debut comes at an important time for the Hawks. The Salt Lake City portion of Summer League offers the first extended look at a group that includes five first-year players. Flemings signed a standard two-year rookie contract that guarantees him a roster spot for the 2024-25 season. His exact role remains to be determined by the coaching staff, but the tournament provides an early chance to evaluate how his college production might carry over.

At 6-9, Flemings offers a combination of length and perimeter shooting that fits the modern emphasis on spacing and versatility. He has the tools to guard multiple positions and step out for three-point attempts, traits that align with a positionless approach. Summer League will mark his initial exposure to the defensive concepts built around switching and help rotations. Strong showings defending the perimeter and finishing at the rim could position him for preseason opportunities and a potential role as a stretch forward.

The Hawks finished last year’s Salt Lake City Summer League with a 5-2 record, the best mark among Eastern Conference teams. They will aim to build on that success while integrating the new rookies. Flemings’ performance will be judged internally against the progress of those other first-year players rather than outside hype. The organization’s focus on youth development means a productive week could accelerate his path toward regular-season minutes once play begins in late October.

Atlanta’s first opponent is the Utah Jazz in a matchup that features another young frontcourt. The schedule then brings games against the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat over the next stretch, each presenting distinct defensive challenges. Coaches will use these contests to assess whether Flemings earns further chances in preseason. Regardless of the specific outcomes, his return to the court represents the start of what the Hawks hope becomes a long-term building block for the roster.