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Catching Up with the Fellas

With players filtering in for voluntary workouts, Hawks.com takes a look at what the guys have been up to the last few months.

AL HORFORD
Al's stock continues to rise. He took his game to the international stage this summer, playing for his native Dominican Republic in the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. He ranked second in the tournament in both scoring (19 ppg) and rebounding (9.2 rpg) averages, while leading his team to the bronze medal. The third place finish fell short of qualifying the Dominican Republic for the 2012 Olympics in London, but the team, coached by John Calipari, will have one final chance to qualify next summer.

More recently, Al joined Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and a handful of other NBA players in visiting with troops and their families stationed in Hawaii as part of the ‘Hoops for Troops' USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.

"I am so excited to be here and enjoy some down time with our nation's military families," Al commented while on the week-long trip. "So far, this tour has been enlightening – I've learned so much about the important work our troops do for us and I can't thank them enough."

JOE JOHNSON
Joe kept a fairly low profile this offseason, but his intense training regiment drew attention in a video posted by Dime Magazine. All reports indicate that Joe is looking light and quick as training camp draws near.

Joe also participated in a recent charity game at Morehouse College, and he was also spotted showing support for his alma mater at an early season Arkansas Razorbacks game.

JOSH SMITH
J-Smoove (after a breif stint on Twitter over the summer) has flown under the radar this offseason. One thing's for sure, he was finding his way into some local gyms around Atlanta. Check out Michael Cunningham's article from AJC.com about some impressive, low-profile pick-up games that some of the Hawks put together over the past few months.

Josh was also hitting gyms in L.A., where he did a lot of his more skill-specific drills and workouts, and also worked out with Rajon Rondo in Lexington, Ky. (Rondo and Smith knew each other from their ties to Oak Hill Academy)

JEFF TEAGUE
Teague made the rounds in some of the bigger charity games over the past few months, and he put together quite an impressive highlight reel.

Jeff spent much of the summer here in Atlanta, but also spent a good deal of time back in Indiana, where he grew up. Last week he made an appearance at the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, braving the cold weather to show support for the over 15,000 runners participating in the 4.5 mile race.

MARVIN WILLIAMS
Marvin had a somewhat minor surgical procedure performed on his back early in the summer to alleviate pain and numbness caused by a disk pressing against a nerve. After going through rehab back at the University of North Carolina, his alma mater, he was cleared to play in September.

Williams definitely collected some great "fan" memories over the past few months, attending multiple college football games, including the #1 vs. #2 showdown between LSU and Alabama. Marvin also attended the Carrier Classic basketball game between UNC and Michigan State, which took place on the flight deck of the United States Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson.

ZAZA PACHULIA
Already a veteran in international competition, Zaza took his native Republic of Georgia to uncharted territory this summer. Competing in EuroBasket for the first time, the Republic of Georgia advanced to the second round of competition. Unfortunately, Zaza suffered an injury that cut his tournament short, but he can take satisfaction in his country's growth in the global basketball picture.

More recently, Zaza played with Galatasaray Medical Park in Turkey's top professional league. His team posted an impressive 6-1 record through the end of November, and Pachulia averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds in his final two games.

PAPE SY
Pape enjoyed his most productive stretch as a professional in recent months, averaging double-figures in an abbreviated schedule with Gravelines-Dunkerque.

KEITH 'Kito' BENSON
Benson had his college number retired at Oakland (Michigan) University this past week.