John Collins

John Collins Bio

John Martin Collins III is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Collins was selected with the 19th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2017 NBA draft.

Early Life and Background

John Collins was born on September 23, 1997, in Layton, Utah, to John Collins Jr. and Lyria Rissing-Collins. His father served in the Navy, and his mother was in the Air Force, which resulted in the family moving frequently during his childhood. Collins spent time living in various locations, including the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Turkey. He developed an interest in sports early on, playing soccer on military bases and becoming a fan of football, particularly supporting the London team Chelsea. Collins attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he excelled in basketball. He was a three-time letter winner and earned the title of Florida Class 4A Player of the Year during his senior year. On November 13, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Wake Forest University, joining fellow prospects Bryant Crawford and Doral Moore.

Path to Basketball

Collins began his college basketball career at Wake Forest, where he made an immediate impact. During his freshman year, he played in all 31 games and led the team in field goal accuracy with a remarkable 54.7%. His performance earned him recognition, and he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Week multiple times. In his sophomore year, Collins continued to shine, averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, leading the ACC in field goal percentage. His impressive streak of 20-point games and overall performance led to him being named the ACC Most Improved Player and a first-team All-ACC selection. After his sophomore season, Collins declared for the 2017 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining eligibility.

John Collins Career

Early Career (2017–2023)

Collins was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He signed a rookie-scale contract with the team on July 1, 2017. During the 2017 NBA Summer League, Collins showcased his skills, earning All-Summer League First Team honors with averages of 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2017, recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets. Collins quickly established himself as a key player for the Hawks, averaging 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during his rookie season, which culminated in his selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018.

Breakthrough (2018–2023)

Collins’s breakthrough came in the 2018-2019 season when he recorded a career-high 35 points in a game against the Chicago Bulls. He continued to impress with multiple double-double performances, including a notable game where he scored 20 points and grabbed 25 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers. However, his career faced a setback when he was suspended for 25 games in November 2019 due to a violation of the league’s anti-drug policy. After serving his suspension, Collins returned to the court and quickly regained his form, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in his first game back. He signed a five-year contract worth $125 million with the Hawks in August 2021, solidifying his status as a key player in the franchise.

Notable Works and Milestones

Collins’s signature work includes his performance in the NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection and his multiple double-double games. His recognition as the ACC Most Improved Player and first-team All-ACC highlight his significant contributions during his college career.