Hawks rookie C Henri Veesaar has a torn ACL

Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar has a torn right ACL. The Hawks announced the news on Monday.

Veesaar suffered the injury during a workout on Sept. 15, and imaging revealed the diagnosis. The news is a blow for the versatile rookie center whom the Hawks hoped would secure a rotation spot behind starting center Onyeka Okongwu.

Veesaar is a 7-foot center who can protect the rim and stretch the floor. As a junior at North Carolina, he averaged 17 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.6% on 3 3-point attempts per game.

Veesaar was projected as a late first- or early second-round selection in June's NBA Draft, but dropped to No. 52 to the Hawks amid reports that his agency told teams he would not sign a two-way contract.

The Hawks didn't announce a timeline for his recovery, but the injury puts his entire rookie season at risk. The Hawks are scheduled to open their regular season on Oct. 21 against the Orlando Magic.

Atlanta is coming off a season in which it finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champion New York Knicks.