NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 17: Portland uses three first round picks

Gonzaga’s Zach Collins is one of the late risers of the 2017 class and whether or not he’ll leave school is certainly still in question. The former top 50 recruit and McDonald’s All-American has been incredibly productive for the Bulldogs in limited action, averaging 23.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per 40 minutes.

Collins fits the mold of a modern NBA center. On offense, he’s a great roll man who is athletic enough to play above the rim. He can post up when needed and has a good set of moves to score from. Collins also has a developing face up game that doesn’t feature much action off the dribble yet, but does involve a nice mid-range jumper. He’s even stepped out beyond the 3-point arc on occasion. It’s not a guaranteed skill, but one that he may develop over time.

On defense, Collins is mobile enough to switch onto guards for stretches. He moves well laterally and uses his arms to help contain penetration. He’s a good rim protector with an 8.8 percent block rate. The most important thing for him going forward will be adding the weight and strength necessary to compete against NBA-caliber athletes.

For the Detroit Pistons, Collins represents insurance for Andre Drummond and as the best player available, he makes sense here.