John Collins Bio
John Martin Collins III is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 103 kilograms, Collins is a forward who combines length with athleticism on both ends of the floor. He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before being selected with the 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2017 NBA draft. Over the course of his professional career, Collins has become recognized as a high-energy scorer and rebounder capable of producing double-doubles on a regular basis.
Early Life and Background
John Martin Collins III was born on September 23, 1997, in Layton, Utah, to John Collins Jr. and Lyria Rissing-Collins. His father served in the United States Navy while his mother served in the Air Force, and the family’s military background meant they relocated frequently during his childhood. Collins spent formative years in several locations, including the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Turkey, an experience that exposed him to a wide range of cultures from a young age. Living on his mother’s military bases, he regularly played soccer as a teenager and developed into a passionate supporter of the English Premier League, following the London club Chelsea.
After moving around as a child, Collins eventually settled in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he attended Cardinal Newman High School. At Cardinal Newman, he earned three varsity letters and emerged as one of the top prospects in the state, culminating in his selection as the Florida Class 4A Player of the Year in his senior season. On November 13, 2014, he signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Wake Forest University, joining a recruiting class that included Bryant Crawford and Doral Moore. His performance at Cardinal Newman laid the foundation for his transition to the college level.
Path to Basketball
Although Collins grew up around soccer thanks to his military upbringing, he quickly developed a passion for basketball during his high school years in Florida. His rapid physical development and competitive drive allowed him to stand out among his peers at Cardinal Newman, where he steadily improved each season. By the time he signed with Wake Forest in 2014, he was considered one of the top high school forwards in the country.
Collins wasted little time establishing himself at the college level, appearing in all 31 of his team’s games during his freshman year and leading the Demon Deacons in field goal accuracy at 54.7 percent. His sophomore campaign was a breakout, as he led Wake Forest in both scoring and rebounding with averages of 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He also led the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage and recorded ten 20-point, 10-rebound games. His 12 consecutive 20-point performances set a Wake Forest record, and he became the first Demon Deacon since NBA Hall of Famer Tim Duncan to reach 600 points and 300 rebounds in a single season. That performance earned him the ACC Most Improved Player award and first-team All-ACC honors in 2017.
John Collins Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On June 22, 2017, Collins was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He signed a rookie-scale deal on July 1, 2017, and impressed immediately in the NBA Summer League, earning All-Summer League First Team honors after averaging 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in five games. During the preseason, he averaged 7.6 points and 7.0 rebounds while working his way into the rotation.
Collins recorded his first career double-double on October 22, 2017, against the Brooklyn Nets, posting 14 points and 13 rebounds in just his third NBA game. He followed it up the very next night with another double-double against the Miami Heat, demonstrating his ability to contribute on a nightly basis. After injuries opened up minutes, he was given his first career start against the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. He closed his rookie campaign with averages of 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds on 57.6 percent shooting, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team on May 22, 2018.
Atlanta Hawks Breakthrough (2018–2023)
Collins made significant strides in his second NBA season, establishing himself as one of the most promising young forwards in the league. On January 23, 2019, he set a new career high with 35 points in a 121–101 win over the Chicago Bulls, and he capped that season with a 20-point, 25-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers on April 10, 2019. His rapid development as a scorer and rebounder made him a central piece of the Hawks’ rebuilding plan.
The 2019–20 season was a turning point. On November 5, 2019, Collins was suspended by the NBA for 25 games without pay after testing positive for pralmorelin, a growth hormone-releasing peptide. He returned on December 23, 2019, and quickly reasserted himself, recording a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He tied his career high with 35 points and added 17 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks on February 22, 2020. On August 6, 2021, the Hawks rewarded his progress with a five-year contract worth $125 million, signaling their long-term commitment to him. On January 13, 2023, he delivered one of the most memorable moments of his Hawks tenure, hitting a buzzer-beating tip-in to beat the Indiana Pacers 113–111.
Utah Jazz Era (2023–2025)
On July 7, 2023, Collins was traded to his hometown team, the Utah Jazz, in exchange for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. The move brought him back to the state where he was born and offered him a fresh opportunity to showcase his skills in a developing rotation. During his time in Utah, he provided veteran scoring and rebounding while the team continued its rebuilding process.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2025–Present)
On July 7, 2025, two years to the day after his trade to Utah, Collins was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team transaction. In the deal, the Jazz received Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson from the Miami Heat along with a second-round pick from the Clippers, while Norman Powell was sent from Los Angeles to Miami. The trade positioned Collins on a contending roster, where his athleticism and frontcourt versatility were expected to add depth to the Clippers’ rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collins is best known for his high-flying finishing around the rim, his ability to run the floor in transition, and his consistency as a mid-range shooter. He thrives as a screen-and-roll partner and excels at cleaning the offensive glass, using his 6-foot-9 frame and athleticism to finish above defenders. Defensively, his length and mobility allow him to guard multiple positions and contest shots effectively at the rim.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Collins’ career include his record-setting 12 consecutive 20-point games at Wake Forest, his 35-point career high against the Bulls, his buzzer-beating tip-in versus the Pacers in 2023, and the five-year, $125 million contract he signed with the Hawks in 2021. Each milestone reflects the steady progression of a player who has consistently delivered double-doubles and high-efficiency scoring throughout his career.
John Collins Career Wins
John Collins has built a reputation as a productive scorer and rebounder across every level of his career. From his record-setting sophomore year at Wake Forest to his long-term role with the Atlanta Hawks, he has delivered consistent double-double production and has been recognized with All-Rookie Second Team and first-team All-ACC honors. While he has not won an NBA championship, his postseason experience and individual awards underline the impact he has had on every team he has played for.
NBA Highlights
During his six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Collins emerged as one of the franchise’s most reliable young stars, averaging double figures in scoring and serving as a nightly double-double threat. He reached his offensive peak during the 2019–20 season, recording multiple 30-point performances and tying a career high of 35 points against the Dallas Mavericks. With the Utah Jazz, he continued to provide frontcourt production before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2025, where he joined a contending roster.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Collins earned the ACC Most Improved Player award and was named first-team All-ACC in 2017 after leading Wake Forest in scoring and rebounding. He was also selected to the NBA All-Summer League First Team in 2017 after a dominant five-game stretch in Las Vegas. These honors helped establish him as one of the top forwards in his draft class.
John Collins Family
Family Background and Lineage
Collins was raised in a military family, with his father, John Collins Jr., serving in the United States Navy and his mother, Lyria Rissing-Collins, serving in the Air Force. The demands of military life required his family to move frequently, giving him the opportunity to live in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Turkey during his childhood. That upbringing helped shape his adaptability and his appreciation for diverse cultures.
Personal Life
Collins maintains close ties to his hometown of Layton, Utah, where he still has family. His experiences living abroad as a child fostered a lifelong interest in international football, and he remains an avid supporter of Chelsea in the English Premier League. Off the court, he is active on social media, where he shares updates about his career and personal interests with fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Collins, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers in July as part of a three-team trade. Joining a roster built to contend in the Western Conference, he is expected to provide scoring punch and frontcourt depth behind established veterans. His ability to stretch the floor and finish in transition makes him a natural fit alongside the Clippers’ core.
Early in the season, Collins has been integrated into the rotation as a key contributor off the bench, with opportunities to play alongside and against some of the league’s top forwards. His familiarity with head coach Tyronn Lue’s system and his history of double-double production give the Clippers a reliable secondary scoring option. As the season progresses, his role could expand depending on matchups and team needs.
Looking ahead, Collins’ success in 2025 will be measured by his ability to stay healthy, contribute consistently in the rotation, and help the Clippers make a deep playoff run. With the contract he signed in 2021 running through 2026, he has additional motivation to perform at a high level and re-establish himself as one of the most productive forwards in the league.