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Atlanta Hawks: 5 reasons John Collins was a good pick

By Brendan Galella

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; John Collins (Wake Forest) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number nineteen overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; John Collins (Wake Forest) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number nineteen overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the second half against the UNC-Greensboro Spartans at Greensboro Coliseum. Wake defeated UNCG 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the second half against the UNC-Greensboro Spartans at Greensboro Coliseum. Wake defeated UNCG 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Extreme efficiency

No player in the NCAA was able to contribute more efficiently for their program than John Collins at Wake Forest last season.

The Atlanta Hawks managed to land a player that posted a Player Efficiency Rating of 35.9, the fourth-highest PER any college player has recorded since 2009-10, when the formula started being tracked.

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Since the 2003-04 season, only four players (Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James) have finished an NBA season with a PER above 30.

Collins has a long way to go before he joins elite company, but during his time at Wake Forest, his efficiency was remarkable. During his sophomore season, Collins shot below 50 percent from the field on just seven occasions, while converting 80 percent or better of his field goals four times.

The true shooting percentage Collins posted, at 67 percent, was the best among all players in the 2017 NBA Draft class.

In his lone NCAA Tournament appearance, Collins shot 9-of-13 from the field and hit each of his eight attempts from the free throw line as he tallied 26 points, nine rebounds and a steal in 36 minutes of play against Kansas State.

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