Miami Heat: 5 storylines to watch in the 2017 NBA Draft Combine
By Frank Urbina
5. Will Zach Collins look the part against elite competition?
If we were to get a look at the Heat’s actual draft board, I’m almost certain Zach Collins would be near the top. Among big men in this draft class, Gonzaga’s stretch-5 has one of the highest ceilings.
For a 7-footer, Collins is extremely agile. That quickness coupled with his nimble feet not only helps his post-game (which is already pretty impressive), but also his potential on defense.
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Thanks to his athletic tools, he projects as a guy who can both protect the paint and chase around modern NBA floor-spacing power forwards. Collins has excellent instincts defensively, as well, which are shown best with his 4.1-block-per-40-minute average.
In fact, his entire per-40 minute stat line (23.2 points, 13.6 rebounds and 0.6 threes) is otherworldly for a kid who is still just 19 years old.
The main issue with the former Bulldog’s draft prospects is the amount of playing time he received as a freshman. Because Gonzaga was loaded with upperclassmen talent in 2016-17, Collins played a mere 17.3 minutes nightly.
Thus, seeing how he would have fared playing 5-on-5 against the most elite young talent the NCAA has to offer might have been important for pro scouts. Unfortunately, he won’t be participating in that part of the combine.
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For Heat fans though, that could be good news, since it could decrease his chances of raising his draft stock at the combine and increase his chances of sliding to Miami at No. 14.