24.2 PPG: Skyhawks Open Season With Veteran Coach
Sanjay Lumpkin returns to the College Park roster as head coach, aiming to convert star RayJ Dennis's scoring output into an NBA-caliber win total.
By Ryan Davidson ·
RayJ Dennis averaged 24.2 points and 10.3 assists per game last season, a statistical line that anchored the College Park Skyhawks' attack. The team now returns to the court with that same engine intact, though the leadership structure has shifted to a familiar figure. Sanjay Lumpkin has taken over as head coach for the new campaign.
Lumpkin is the first former player in franchise history to assume the head coaching position. He suited up for the Skyhawks in 2019 during their inaugural year in College Park. He cited that experience as a primary reason for his hiring, noting that he can relate to the current roster's challenges. "I've been in their shoes," Lumpkin said. "I've been in the G League. Obviously it's fluid, everyone knows what this league is like, so it's great to just help them through this process and just let them know I'm there for them."
The roster retains two key players from the previous year: Dennis and Kobe Johnson. Johnson contributed 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game last season. Both players identified winning as the primary metric for their success this year, rather than individual statistics. Dennis argued that NBA call-ups typically follow teams with strong win totals. "If you go back and look at some of the guys who've gotten call-ups and have been able to make the jump from the G to the NBA, their teams are pretty good," Dennis said. "Their teams have won historically, so I think winning is the most important thing and the numbers and everything like that will come."
Johnson agreed that the developmental league requires constant readiness. He described the current season as a period to demonstrate his value while contributing to team victories. "In the G League, changes are always happening, so you always got to stay ready," Johnson said. "I think this is a year for me to prove myself, and then also help the team win a lot of games so we can all get to where we want to be."
The Skyhawks begin their schedule at home on Friday night. The game starts at 7 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena. Their opponent is the Raptors 905. Fans can view the matchup on Peachtree Sports Network, which serves as the official broadcast partner for the team.
