The Hawks will be without their rookie center for the season, as Henri Veesaar tore his ACL before training camp.
The Atlanta [Hawks will return for training camp](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-hawks-hornets-holding-on-off-trade-discussions-training-camp-nears) in about a week, but they won't have one of their rookies after suffering a major injury. Second-round pick Henri Veesaar will miss the season with a torn ACL, according to the team.
“During a workout on Sept. 15, center Henri Veesaar sustained a right knee injury. Following an MRI and evaluation at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, he was diagnosed with a torn right ACL. Veesaar will undergo surgery with Dr. Kyle Hammond at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in October and is expected to miss the 2026-27 season,” the team said in a press release.
[Veesaar was drafted by the Hawks](https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/x-hottest-kingston-flemings-zuby-ejiofor-overreactions-2026-hawks-summer-league) with the 52nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. There was a good chance that Veesaar wasn't going to play many minutes for the Hawks this season, with their center depth already strong, and he would've seen most of his time in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks.
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Veesaar has several skills that can help him make an impact on the floor, especially with the Hawks. He can stretch the floor with his shooting, as well as rebound at a high level. His playmaking skills are underrated, and he can make passes that most centers probably couldn't.
Going into the season, the Hawks will have Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale on their roster, and they'll have most of the minutes at the position. It'll be interesting to see if the Hawks decide to add another center to the roster before training camp.