Skyhawks Soar

The College Park Skyhawks Soar in the ATL Airport District

By Alice Feigel

The Atlanta Hawks are training the next generation of NBA stars, and it’s all happening west of Hartsfi eld-Jackson International Airport in College Park. The Hawks’ offi cial G League team, the College Park Skyhawks, just kicked off their second season at Gateway Center Arena.

The cozy venue that seats 3,500 fans at each home game allows hardcore basketball fans and just-herefor-the-beer fans a chance to see budding basketball greats up close and personal. No ticket-holder is ever more than 14 rows back from the action, and with tickets starting at just $10, it’s one of the most engaging and affordable nights out in Atlanta right now.

The Skyhawks started their inaugural season in 2019, during which they were able to play 18 of 24 home games before the pandemic shut them down. But this past November, they returned to the court, excited

The G League up close and personal

The G League, founded in 2001 and named for their sponsor Gatorade, is the NBA’s minor league affi liation that allows them to bring up and train players, coaches, and managers. In addition, the G League is a great way to follow up-and-coming players as they start their professional careers.

Some locals even attend Skyhawks games to spot their favorite former college basketball players who have been recruited to the opposing teams. At a recent game against the Maine Celtics, a few local fans who also happened to be West Virginia University alumni cheered on Celtics’ point guard Jaysean Paige, a former player for the West Virginia Mountaineers. A few of the NBA’s top players, including Hawks center Clint Capela, came up through the G League. In the 2020–21 NBA season, a whopping 45% of NBA players had some form of G League experience.

In fact, some players play for both NBA teams and minor league teams in the same season. Each NBA team has two spots on their team roster for “Two-Way Contracts,” allowing G League players to gain experience on the NBA court. For example, Skyhawks guards Sharife Cooper and Skylar Mays currently fi ll the two “Two-Way Contract” spots on the Atlanta Hawks roster. They can play up to 45 days per season with the Hawks, spending the rest of the year with the Skyhawks. Similarly, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is signed to a standard NBA contract, but also plays for the Skyhawks when assigned. These unique agreements allow fans to catch Mays, Cooper, or Johnson at a Hawks game from 100 rows back, and then head to a Skyhawks game and see them just a few rows away the following week.

New rules are also tested out in the G League before being implemented in NBA games. The Coach’s Challenge and the 14 Second Shot Clock Reset on offensive rebounds fi rst appeared in the G League before the NBA incorporated them.

The New Normal

College Park native and Grammy Award-winning recording artist Tauheed “2 Chainz” Epps is often spotted at Skyhawks games. 2 Chainz, a former Alabama State basketball player, is one of the team’s owners. “It’s exciting and a dream come TRU to be a part of a sports team, especially one in my community,” 2 Chainz said in a news release shortly after joining the ownership group. 2 Chainz has even released co-branded merch with the team. The Skyhawks x 2 Chainz t-shirt is available for purchase at the venue.

Off the court, the College Park Skyhawks are setting records in management with two of their top leadership roles held by women: Vice President of G League Operations Janice Koon and General Manager Tori Miller, the first woman to hold the title of General Manager in the history of the NBA G League. Miller, a Decatur native, recognizes the importance of having women working together in these high-level positions. “It’s a unique situation and a unique opportunity for us to work together and makes it easier for the next girl who wants to be a GM or wants to be a president. They probably will still have to go through some stuff, but it will be an easier trek to reach where they want to go,” Miller said.

Fun for the whole family without having to break open the piggy bank. For information on theme nights checkout gleague.nba.com

Settling into College Park

Just three years into settling into their new home, the College Park Skyhawks are contributing to their new community by holding clinics for young players. The Skyhawks’ coaches worked with over 100 kids at the first clinic at the local College Park Rec Center. The Skyhawks also worked with Ignite College Park Resource Center, to hand out Thanksgiving meals to families in need in November.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a sports event in the A without a mascot, fan games, and a DJ. Colli Hawk, the official mascot of the College Park Skyhawks, is always ready for a fan photo. DJ Moe keeps the energy and the beats going, and theme nights throughout the season ensure the whole family has something to look forward to at each game. Fans are invited to play tic-tac-toe, free throw competitions, and other games on the court during each game— and your chances of being selected to play are a lot better with just 3,500 seats than the Hawks’ 17,000.

College Park is the place to be

The Gateway Center Arena, located next to the GICC, Georgia’s second-largest convention center, is also home to the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. The lowkey setting is just 10 miles from Atlanta’s city center. That means shorter lines, convenient parking next to the arena, and no bad seat in the house.

The venue is entirely accessible by train, no bus needed. Just take the red or yellow MARTA line south to the Airport Station. (Pro-tip: Do not let the train trick you into getting off at the College Park station. It seems like the right stop. It isn’t.) Once you’re at the airport, head down the stairs and follow the signs to the ATL SkyTrain. Take the free ATL SkyTrain right over to Gateway Center Station.

Atlanta catering veteran Proof of the Pudding has created a dining experience at the venue that transcends simple concessions. From hand-breaded chicken tenders to house-smoked BBQ, the affordable, tasty food makes for a well-rounded (and well-fed) experience. The venue also comes equipped with two bars on either side of the arena—both within view of the court, so you’ll never miss the action.