Mouhamed Gueye is starting to turn heads in Atlanta - and not just because of his 6'11" frame or eye-popping wingspan. After a quiet start to the season, the rookie big man is finally getting meaningful minutes, and he’s making the most of them.
In a year where the Hawks’ frontcourt has been more of a question mark than a strength, Gueye’s emergence couldn’t be better timed. Atlanta’s big-man rotation has been under the microscope all season long, with trade rumors swirling and consistency hard to come by. But over the last couple of weeks, Gueye has quietly carved out a role - and it’s starting to feel like this might be more than just a temporary audition.
Let’s talk numbers for a second. Gueye averaged just 16 minutes per game in October, bumped up slightly to 18 in November, then dipped to 12 in December.
But since January 7th? That number has jumped to 25 minutes per game.
That’s not just a small uptick - that’s a coaching staff saying, “We need this guy on the floor.”
And that date - January 7th - wasn’t just a coincidence. That’s when the Hawks made a major move, parting ways with Trae Young and bringing in CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. It was a seismic shift for the franchise, and one that immediately changed the team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
McCollum and Kispert bring offensive firepower - no doubt about that. McCollum is a proven scorer, and Kispert’s shooting adds a new layer to Atlanta’s spacing.
But let’s be honest: neither is known for their defense. That’s where Gueye steps in.
The Hawks needed someone to anchor the back line, someone who could cover for perimeter breakdowns and protect the rim when the offense-first guards get beat. Gueye, with his length, instincts, and quick-twitch athleticism, has stepped into that role like a natural.
He’s not just blocking shots - he’s altering them. He’s not just grabbing rebounds - he’s keeping possessions alive.
And while his offensive game is still a work in progress, he’s doing the little things: setting hard screens, diving to the rim, and staying within himself. That’s all the Hawks need right now, especially with McCollum and Kispert stretching the floor and handling much of the scoring load.
What’s interesting is how well this balance is working. Gueye shores up the defense, McCollum and Kispert keep the offense humming, and suddenly, the Hawks are finding a rhythm with this new-look rotation. Head coach Quin Snyder is still mixing and matching lineups, but one thing is becoming clear - Gueye belongs in the mix.
And maybe more than just “in the mix.” He’s starting to look like a long-term piece.
With Onyeka Okongwu continuing to develop but not quite reaching that elite defensive tier, Gueye’s upside is hard to ignore. He brings a different kind of presence - rangy, disruptive, and tailor-made for today’s switch-heavy, pace-and-space NBA.
If he keeps trending this way, don’t be surprised if Atlanta’s front office hits the pause button on any center-related trade talks. Gueye is giving them a reason to think twice.
The Hawks may have made headlines with their blockbuster trade, but the real story brewing in Atlanta might be the quiet rise of Mouhamed Gueye - a young big man who’s starting to look like a foundational piece for the future.