Former Hawks forward John Drew passed away Sunday in Houston after a battle with bone cancer, according to his family via AL.com. He was 67.

Drew, who played at Gardner-Webb University, averaged 20.7 points and nearly seven rebounds per game in his 11-season NBA career.

He was selected with the 25th overall pick by the Hawks during the second round of the 1974 NBA draft.

After nearly a decade in Atlanta, the Hawks traded Drew, Freeman Williams and cash to the Jazz for Dominique Wilkins.

Born in Vredenburgh, Ala., Drew was one of the most dominant high school basketball players in the state’s history.

According to AL.com, Drew holds three state AHSAA records from his years (1969-72) at J.F. Shields High School in Monroe County (career scoring average, 41 points per game, 1969-72; single-season rebounding, 764 in 1971-72; and single-season rebound average, 21.8 rebounds per game, 1971-72).

Keep Reading

Center Kristaps Porzingis — pictured celebrating during the Hawks' win over the Raptors on Nov. 7 —  finished with 13 points and six assists in Atlanta's 133-100 win over Sacramento on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. The Hawks have a three-game winning streak, their longest of the season. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez