11. Charlotte Hornets: Zach Collins, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Rasheed Wallace
Safe Upside Comparison: Cody Zeller
Position: Power Forward
Age: 19 (11/18/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 232 pounds, 7’1″
2016-17 Slash Line: .652/.476/.743
2016-17 Season Averages: 17.2 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.8 BPG
The Charlotte Hornets have an advanced metrics star in center Cody Zeller and a high-quality perimeter player in Nicolas Batum. There’s an intriguing measure of depth beyond them, but the unfortunate reality is that there’s something missing beyond Kemba Walker.
Charlotte desperately needs a player who can create consistent offense in support of Walker, and Gonzaga Bulldogs big man Zach Collins may be the answer.
Subtract the temper from the equation and Collins compares quite favorably to four-time All-Star Rasheed Wallace. He’s an outstanding athlete for a 7’0″ power forward, as well as a skilled player with a modern skill set, a high defensive ceiling, and underrated intangibles.
For perspective, Collins stuffed the stat sheet with averages of 23.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 4.1 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 3-point field goals made per 40 minutes—as a freshman.
A less ambitious comparison for Collins is current Charlotte big man Cody Zeller. Like Zeller, he has sneaky athleticism and a quality jumper, which enables him to utilize the other strengths of his game to his advantage—and he has a higher defensive ceiling.
The New York Knicks don’t need another big man, but even team president Phil Jackson should be intrigued by the All-Star potential Collins possesses.