Hawks Sign Son Of Former No. 1 Overall Pick

After spending some time with the team last season, 26-year-old Malik Ellison has been signed by the Atlanta Hawks to an Exhibit 10 training camp contract. Malik is the son of former No. 1 overall pick Pervis Ellison.

The Atlanta Hawks are signing Malik Ellison to a training camp deal, agent Jerry Dianis told @HoopsHype. Ellison previously signed a 10-day contract with Atlanta last season.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 16, 2022

Ellison was actually signed to a 10-day hardship contract last season by the Hawks but never appeared in a game. That gives him a unique stature, as noted by NBA Insider John Hollinger.

Rare case of a player with NBA "experience" but zero career games. Got ten days in a Hawks uni during Omicron wave but never appeared in a game. https://t.co/v18s3BXr0p

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) September 16, 2022

Ellison is the answer to the question "tell me you have NBA experience without actually having NBA experience." 

The 26-year-old's father, 'Never Nervous Pervis' (certainly one of the best nicknames in the history of basketball!) led Louisville to a national title, and was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in 1989 by the  Sacramento Kings.

 The 6'9" center/power forward spent 11 years in the league, and had one monster season with the then-Washington Bullets in 1991-92. That year, he averaged 20 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots. That earned him the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Unfortunately, injuries wreaked havoc on his career after that. 

His son Malik, 26, played 14 games for the Hawks' College Park SkyHawks in the G League's Showcase Cup last season, averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds, while cashing in on an impressive 42.3% of his shots from downtown.

The 6'6" shooting guard also played this summer for Team USA, helping it qualify for the 2023 World Cup. 

Photos: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports, Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports