Kent Bazemore has had some time to clear his head.
The Hawks starting small forward missed the past two games with a sore right knee. He also had his jersey retired by his alma mater, Old Dominion University, in a ceremony over the weekend. The time away and some gained perspective may be what Bazemore needs to help with his struggling shot.
Bazemore is shooting just 35.8 percent (87 of 243) from the field and 29.2 percent (26 of 89) from 3-point range through 22 games this season. He is averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27 minutes.
Bazemore was on the bench in a suit for Hawks’ victories over the Heat and Bucks last week.
“He is such a competitor,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Monday. “It was great to have him on the bench and the energy he brings. It’s not why we did it — that was the knee — but for him to get a little perspective and remember how much positive energy he can bring to the game hopefully, it’s a little side benefit.”
Bazemore went through about half of practice on Monday. The team will make a decision on his availability for Tuesday’s game against the Magic depending on how his knee reacts to the workout.
Budenholzer said his partial participation on Monday’s practice was planned. He was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report Monday afternoon.
Bazemore said he learned while watching from the sideline.
“It was good getting to sit with the coaches and in the huddle,” Bazemore said. “I’ve missed games before, but this year is a little different because I know a little more. I watch the game differently now. I’ve learned a ton.”
Bazemore also got to spend time away from the court and return to familiar ground in Norfolk, Va. On Saturday, he was honored at Old Dominion in a jersey-retiring ceremony. His name and No. 24 were added to the Ring of Honor in the basketball arena.
He noted that his location in the ring is directly above the student section, a point he cherished. He was also presented with a framed jersey and pictures with many of his former teammates in attendance.
“I didn’t cry until they unveiled the name,” Bazemore said. “I held it together for about three minutes. It still hasn’t hit yet that my name will forever be in an arena. Years and years from now when people go to see ODU play, they will see my name up there. It means a lot.”
Bazemore graduated from Old Dominion in 2012 as a double major, with Bachelor of Science degrees in Human Services and Criminal Justice. He was named the Lefty Driesell national defensive player of the year in 2011. He was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association team and defensive player of the year in 2011 and 2012. He also helped lead Old Dominion to back-to-back CAA championships in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Bazemore said he believed what he did off the court played a big part in the honor. He said his community involvement was important. He said one year he was the only student-athlete to attend the ODU state of the university address.
“There are guys across the NBA get their jersey retired after they have retired and done amazing things in the NBA,” Bazemore said. “For me, to have it happen so fast, it makes it even better. It just goes to show it’s not always about basketball or athletic ability or what you’ve done on the floor.
“It’s about living life the right way, doing the right things, treat people the right way. Having them hang my jersey up there is a direct correlation with all of that. I didn’t average 30 points a night there. We didn’t win an NCAA championship.”
Bazemore averaged 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.8 minutes last season, his first as a full-time Hawks starter. He shot 44.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point range. Budenholzer said he could see Bazemore getting a little down on himself with his early performance, but not to the detriment of his game or the team.
“He wants to do well,” Budenholzer said. “He wants the team to have success. Of course, part of that is him playing well. I think there was a frustration but not anything more than the normal competitive Baze.”
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