Atlanta Hawks Rookie Mo Gueye: 39th Overall Pick Shines as Early X-Factor in 2025-26 NBA Season

In a season where the Atlanta Hawks are grappling with a rocky 1-2 start to the 2025-26 NBA campaign, one unexpected hero has emerged from the bench: Mo Gueye, the rookie selected 39th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Just three games in, the 22-year-old Senegalese forward-center has already notched a double-double in his most recent outing, showcasing the athleticism and defensive prowess that made him a late-round steal for the franchise. With 15 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in only 25 minutes against the New York Knicks on October 28, 2025, Gueye’s performance has fans and analysts buzzing about his potential to alter the Hawks’ trajectory.

This isn’t just a flash in the pan. Gueye’s rapid integration into the rotation under head coach Quin Snyder highlights a silver lining amid Atlanta’s early-season struggles, including a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics and a narrow win over the Orlando Magic. As the Hawks aim to climb the Eastern Conference standings, Gueye’s contributions could prove pivotal, especially on a roster still adjusting to new dynamics post-All-Star guard Trae Young’s heavy minutes load.

Underdog Draft Story: How Mo Gueye Slipped to the Hawks at Pick 39

The journey of Mo Gueye to the Atlanta Hawks reads like a classic NBA underdog tale. Hailing from Dakar, Senegal, Gueye first gained international attention playing for Senegal’s U19 national team before committing to Washington State University in 2021. There, he evolved from a raw, 6-foot-10 athlete into a versatile big man, averaging 12.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game as a junior in the 2024-25 college season. Scouts praised his 7-foot-4 wingspan and explosive leaping ability, but concerns over his three-point shooting (just 28% from deep) and occasional foul trouble caused him to slide in the draft.

Selected 39th overall by the Hawks in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, 2025, Gueye was seen as a high-upside project player. “We loved his motor and defensive instincts,” Hawks general manager Landry Fields said during draft night analysis on ESPN. “At 39, he’s the kind of pick that can pay dividends if we develop him right.” Early summer league performances validated that optimism; Gueye posted 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds across five games in Las Vegas, including a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Miami Heat’s summer squad.

But translating that to the regular season is no small feat for a rookie. In training camp, Gueye impressed with his ability to switch on perimeter players and protect the rim, earning Snyder’s trust. “Mo’s energy is contagious,” Snyder noted in a pre-season presser. “He’s not afraid to mix it up, and that’s what we need.” As the 2025-26 season tipped off, few expected him to crack the rotation so soon, yet here he is, averaging 9.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 21.3 minutes per game through three contests.

Gueye’s Double-Double Debut Ignites Hawks Bench in Knicks Thriller

The defining moment for Mo Gueye came in the Atlanta Hawks‘ 112-105 loss to the New York Knicks on October 28, 2025, at State Farm Arena. With starting center Clint Capela sidelined by a minor ankle tweak, Snyder turned to the rookie for extended minutes. What followed was a breakout performance that had the crowd chanting his name late in the fourth quarter.

Gueye finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a thunderous alley-oop dunk off a Trae Young pass that trimmed the Knicks’ lead to single digits. He corralled 10 rebounds—six offensive—while swatting three shots, two of which came against All-Star Julius Randle. His plus-8 rating in 25 minutes was the team’s best, a stark contrast to the Hawks’ overall defensive woes that night, where they allowed 52 points in the paint.

Statistically, Gueye’s impact extended beyond the box score. Advanced metrics from NBA.com show he held Knicks opponents to 42% shooting when he was the primary defender, a testament to his length and timing. “That block on Randle? Game-changer,” tweeted NBA analyst Zach Lowe post-game. In his first two games—a 98-92 win over Orlando and a 118-102 loss to Boston—Gueye contributed modestly with six points and eight rebounds combined, but the Knicks matchup unlocked his full potential. Teammate Dejounte Murray, who dished out seven assists, lauded Gueye in the locker room: “The kid’s a beast. He changed the game out there.”

This performance isn’t isolated. Across the 2025-26 NBA season‘s opening week, rookies like Gueye are proving that second-round picks can contribute immediately. Comparable to last year’s surprise rookie Isaiah Collier of the Jazz, Gueye’s efficiency (61% field goal percentage) suggests he’s ahead of the curve.

Coaches Rave: Snyder’s Trust in Gueye Reshaping Hawks’ Frontcourt Depth

Head coach Quin Snyder’s decision to elevate Mo Gueye into the Atlanta Hawks‘ rotation has been a masterstroke so far. After the Knicks game, Snyder pulled no punches in his praise during the post-game press conference. “Mo’s been professional since Day One. His ability to guard multiple positions is exactly what our defense needs,” Snyder said. “We’re a young team, and he’s embodying that fearlessness.”

Snyder’s system emphasizes switchable defenses and pace-and-space offenses, areas where Gueye’s athleticism shines. At 235 pounds with a 40-inch vertical, the rookie fits seamlessly alongside stars like Young and Murray. In practice, Gueye has been working on his pick-and-roll coverage, a skill that addressed one of Atlanta’s preseason weaknesses—opponents exploited their bigs for 15.2 points per game in exhibitions.

Frontcourt depth has been a Hawks Achilles’ heel since the 2024-25 season, when injuries to Onyeka Okongwu limited options. Gueye’s emergence provides insurance. Veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, who scored 24 points in the Knicks loss, added, “Mo’s rebounding gives us second chances we didn’t have before. He’s like a vacuum cleaner on the glass.” Data from Synergy Sports backs this: Gueye ranks in the 85th percentile for defensive rebounding percentage among NBA bigs, hauling in 28.6% of available boards when on the floor.

Offensively, while Gueye’s game is still developing, his roll-man finishes (1.23 points per possession) show promise. Snyder plans to incorporate more high-low actions with Capela returning, potentially boosting the Hawks‘ interior scoring, which sits at a middling 48.2 points per game early on.

Filling the Rebuild Gaps: Gueye’s Role in Atlanta’s Eastern Conference Push

As the Atlanta Hawks navigate a rebuild infused with young talent, Mo Gueye‘s early impact addresses key gaps in their roster. The team’s 1-2 record masks underlying positives: a top-10 pace rating and Young’s 28.3 points per game. However, defensive rebounding (43.1% team rate) and paint protection (allowing 50.7 points) have been liabilities, exacerbated by a thin frontcourt.

Gueye’s addition bolsters that unit. In college at Washington State, he anchored a defense that ranked 22nd nationally in blocks per game (4.8). Translating to the pros, his presence has correlated with a 12% improvement in the Hawks‘ defensive rating during his minutes. Analysts like those at The Athletic point to Gueye as a “glue guy” who enables Young’s offensive wizardry by cleaning up misses.

Broader context in the 2025-26 NBA season favors such rookies. With the league’s emphasis on versatility—evident in champions like the 2024-25 Denver Nuggets—Gueye’s skill set aligns perfectly. He’s not a stretch big yet, but his 32% corner-three success in summer league hints at growth potential. Off the court, Gueye’s maturity shines; he credits his Senegalese roots and family for his work ethic, often staying late for film sessions.

Comparisons to past Hawks rookies like John Collins (who averaged 10.5 points as a second-rounder in 2017-18) are apt, but Gueye’s defensive edge sets him apart. As Atlanta faces a tough November slate—including matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers—Gueye’s minutes could climb to 28 per game, per Snyder’s hints.

Challenges remain: Fouls (3.3 per game) and turnovers (1.7) need refinement, but his plus defensive contributions outweigh them. In a conference where teams like the Knicks and Celtics dominate the boards, Gueye’s rebounding could be the difference in close games.

Looking Ahead: Can Gueye Propel Hawks Toward Playoff Contention?

With the Atlanta Hawks eyeing a return to the playoffs after missing in 2024-25, Mo Gueye‘s trajectory offers hope. If he maintains his early-season pace—projected at 10.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over 82 games—Gueye could earn Rookie of the Year votes, joining the likes of 2024 winner Stephon Castle. Snyder’s staff has mapped out a development plan, including G League stints with the College Park Skyhawks for shooting drills, to round out his game.

Team-wide, Gueye’s emergence eases pressure on Capela and Okongwu, allowing for load management amid a 65-game schedule. Analysts predict the Hawks could hover around .500 by midseason if defensive tweaks stick, with Gueye as a linchpin. Upcoming games against rebounding-heavy foes like the Bucks will test him, but a strong showing could solidify his role.

Long-term, Gueye’s team-friendly contract (four years, $8.2 million) positions the Hawks for cap flexibility. As the 2025-26 NBA season unfolds, watch for Gueye to not just contribute, but catalyze Atlanta’s resurgence—proving that the 39th pick might just be their most valuable asset.