Sanjay Lumpkin Named Head Coach of College Park Skyhawks

The College Park Skyhawks have appointed Sanjay Lumpkin as their new head coach. Lumpkin, who played for the franchise in 2019, is the first former player to hold the position in the team's history. The Skyhawks begin their campaign on Friday at 7 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena.

Lumpkin joined the Skyhawks for their inaugural season in College Park. He stated that his background in the G League allows him to relate directly to the current roster. "I’ve been in their shoes," Lumpkin said. "I’ve been in the G League. Obviously it’s fluid, everyone knows what this league is like, so it’s great to just help them through this process and just let them know I’m there for them."

The team retains two primary contributors from the previous season. RayJ Dennis averaged 24.2 points, 10.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game last year. Kobe Johnson posted 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Dennis emphasized that team success is the primary driver for player development in the league. "I think the most important thing is winning," Dennis said. "If you go back and look at some of the guys who’ve gotten call-ups and have been able to make the jump from the G to the NBA, their teams are pretty good. Their teams have won historically, so I think winning is the most important thing and the numbers and everything like that will come."

Johnson agreed that consistency is required in a league where rosters change frequently. "In the G League, changes are always happening, so you always got to stay ready," Johnson said. "I think this is a year for me to prove myself, and then also help the team win a lot of games so we can all get to where we want to be."

The Skyhawks will face the Raptors 905 in their opening game. Atlanta News First serves as the official broadcast partner for the team. All home games will air on Peachtree Sports Network.