College Park Names Sanjay Lumpkin Head Coach
Former Skyhawks player Sanjay Lumpkin becomes the first ex-player in franchise history to lead the team as head coach.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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The College Park Skyhawks named Sanjay Lumpkin head coach. Lumpkin played for the franchise in 2019 and is its first former player to hold the role, as the team prepares to open the 2026-27 season against Raptors 905.
Why it matters
The hire puts a franchise veteran in charge of the Skyhawks' next chapter, continuing a pattern of internal promotion within the organization. It also gives College Park fans a coach who previously worked through the G League pathway that the team uses.
Last season, RayJ Dennis averaged 24.2 points, 10.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, while Kobe Johnson posted 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The extraction does not indicate how these averages will shift under the new head coach.
The players
Sanjay Lumpkin
Former Skyhawks player who became the franchise's first former player to serve as head coach, with prior G League experience.
College Park Skyhawks
The G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, based in College Park, Georgia.
Raptors 905
The G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors and the Skyhawks' opponent in the season opener.
The details
Lumpkin previously played in the G League before returning to the Skyhawks organization as head coach. The team will open its home season Friday at 7 p.m. against Raptors 905 at Gateway Center Arena.
Timeline
2019: Lumpkin plays for the franchise's inaugural College Park season.
Friday, 7 p.m.: Skyhawks open the home season against Raptors 905.
Season Trajectory
The Skyhawks are returning to the franchise's own 2019 roots by promoting Sanjay Lumpkin, who played in its inaugural College Park season. The hire marks the first time a former Skyhawks player has been elevated to head coach in franchise history.
Fantasy managers tracking the Skyhawks should note that Dennis and Johnson posted strong per-game lines last season, which will set baseline expectations as the new coaching staff takes over. The Friday home opener at 7 p.m. gives the first real look at how the rotation and usage patterns will change.
The takeaway
Lumpkin's promotion shows the Skyhawks are betting on continuity, and the Friday opener will show whether that bet pays off on the court.
What happens next
The Skyhawks open the 2026-27 home season Friday at 7 p.m. against Raptors 905 at Gateway Center Arena.
Further reading
Explore more Basketball coverage for the latest on College Park teams and their coaching moves.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Atlantanewsfirst.
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