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Deion Sanders says he was close to joining Atlanta Hawks

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 2, 2026, 9:40 AM

Last updated Oct 2, 2026

Deion Sanders says he was close to joining Atlanta Hawks

Summary

Deion Sanders disclosed that he could have played in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks. The NFL legend, known for his dual-sport prowess in baseball and football, expressed his desire during a recent appearance at the Denver Nuggets’ training camp. Sanders, who played for the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball, revealed that he had discussed opportunities with the Hawks to become a three-sport athlete. He reminisced about his high school basketball achievements and noted his conversations with the Hawks' general manager, which ultimately did not materialize. Sanders currently coaches the Colorado Buffaloes football team.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Deion Sanders considers playing for Atlanta Hawks
•Spoke about his desire at Nuggets' training camp
•Achieved All-State honors in basketball, baseball, and football
•Played professionally in MLB and NFL simultaneously
•Head coach of Colorado Buffaloes football team

Latest Updates

9:40 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Didn’t allow it’ – Deion Sanders reveals he was close to playing for the Atlanta Hawks

What they're saying

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Deion Sanders has revealed that he could have been a three-sport athlete and played in the NBA if he hadn’t been stopped. Coach Prime, as he is famously known, is the only individual to ever play in the MLB World Series and the NFL Super Bowl.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

American Football