Last Updated on April 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information about John Collins:

  • Full Name: John Martin Collins III
  • Nationality: American (also holds U.S. Virgin Islands citizenship)
  • Age: Born September 23, 1997
  • Hometown: Layton, Utah, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Weight: 235 pounds (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm)
  • Shoe Size: 16 (US Men’s)
  • Jersey Number:
    • #20 — Wake Forest Demon Deacons
    • #20 — Atlanta Hawks
    • #20 — Utah Jazz
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida
  • College: Wake Forest University (2015–2017)
  • NBA Draft: 2017, 1st round, 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks
  • Player Archetype: Rim-running, pick-and-roll finishing power forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Vertical spacer, lob threat, secondary scorer
  • Defensive Role: Weak-side rim protector and help defender
  • Play Style: Explosive finisher with efficient interior scoring, capable of floor spacing and transition scoring
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average vertical athlete with strong leaping ability and quick second jump
  • Recruiting Status: 3-star recruit (2015 class)
  • Draft Status Detail: Declared after sophomore season; projected late first-round pick due to efficiency and athletic profile
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — has missed stretches with foot and finger injuries but no career-altering setbacks
  • Career Stage: Prime / late-prime transition phase
  • Comparison Style: Athletic scoring big with pick-and-roll emphasis
  • Comparable Players:
    • Amar’e Stoudemire — explosive rim-running scorer
    • John Collins — N/A
    • Aaron Gordon — athletic forward with hybrid role
    • Blake Griffin — athletic finisher early-career style
  • Teams Played For:
    • Atlanta Hawks (2017–2023)
    • Utah Jazz (2023–2025)
    • Los Angeles Clippers (2025–2026)
  • Championship Rings: None as of now
  • Parents: John Collins Jr., Lyria Rissing-Collins
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Unknown

John Collins fits the archetype of a rim-running, high-efficiency power forward whose value is anchored in vertical spacing and finishing. Defensively, he operates primarily as a help-side presence, offering secondary rim protection rather than anchoring a scheme, while offensively he thrives as a pick-and-roll target, transition finisher, and complementary scorer alongside ball-dominant guards. Physically, Collins combines above-the-rim athleticism with fluid mobility, allowing him to play both frontcourt spots in modern lineups. His play style is built on energy, efficient shot selection, and opportunistic scoring rather than isolation creation, making him most effective within structured offensive systems that maximize his movement and finishing ability.

Player Insights

Player Update (February 11, 2025):
John Collins entered the NBA as a high-impact, athletic power forward for the Atlanta Hawks, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s more efficient young frontcourt scorers and rebounders. During his tenure in Atlanta, Collins was frequently involved in trade speculation—an indication of both his value and the organization’s ongoing roster re-evaluation around franchise guard Trae Young.

In July 2023, Collins was traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Hawks’ broader effort to reshape their roster and financial structure. His move to Utah placed him within a developing team context that has prioritized flexibility and long-term asset building. While the Jazz have remained in a transitional phase, Collins has shared frontcourt responsibilities with established contributors such as Lauri Markkanen and emerging defensive presence Walker Kessler.

From a contractual and team-building standpoint, Collins’ situation reflects a common dynamic in the NBA: players on long-term deals are often evaluated not just on individual production, but on fit within evolving roster timelines and organizational direction. As of February 11, 2025, Collins remains a productive frontcourt option, though his role and impact are influenced by Utah’s broader developmental trajectory.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — John Collins Stats
NBA.com — John Collins Bio
ESPN — John Collins Profile