John Collins

Collins is an American forward who has established himself as a productive NBA big man since being drafted 19th overall in 2017. He spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Hawks before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers, earning a reputation as an athletic, high-flying forward with developing perimeter skills.

Born John Martin Collins III on September 23, 1997, in Layton, Utah, Collins is the son of a Navy father and an Air Force mother. The family moved frequently during his childhood, spending time in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Turkey. He attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was a three-time letter winner and named Florida Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior. He committed to Wake Forest alongside fellow prospects Bryant Crawford and Doral Moore.

At Wake Forest, Collins appeared in all 31 games as a freshman and led the team in field goal accuracy at 54.7 percent. As a sophomore, he led the Demon Deacons in scoring and rebounding with 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He led the ACC in field goal percentage and recorded 10 consecutive 20-point games, the longest streak in Wake Forest history. He became the first player since Tim Duncan to score 600 points and grab 300 rebounds in a season. He was named ACC Most Improved Player and first-team All-ACC.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Collins with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He earned All-Summer League First Team honors and recorded his first career double-double in his third NBA game. He spent six seasons in Atlanta, developing into a reliable scorer and rebounder before moving to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Collins is an athletic forward with elite leaping ability, finishing at the rim on lobs and putbacks, and a developing three-point stroke. He uses his size to set screens, roll to the basket, and rebound at a high rate. His defensive versatility and offensive efficiency have made him a valuable rotation piece for teams needing frontcourt athleticism.

Collins enters each season as a veteran forward with an All-ACC pedigree and multiple years of NBA production. His trajectory from a military family upbringing to a Florida high school star, a Wake Forest standout, and a first-round draft pick reflects physical development and a commitment to expanding his offensive skill set at every level.