2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 21: Malik Monk to the Sixers

Wake Forest’s John Collins was one of the most improved players in college basketball this season. He raised his points (20.4 to 28.8) and rebounds (10.9 to 14.8) per 40 minutes significantly from his freshman to sophomore year while becoming the focal point of an ACC team that made the NCAA Tournament.

Collins projects as a pick-and-roll big man in the NBA unless he can develop a more consistent jump shot, something he currently lacks. In college, he was a dominant post player who crashed the offensive glass well and while the latter will be handy at the next level, the former will likely be less relevant, especially if he ends up as a power forward. That said, Collins found a number of ways to put points on the board as a sophomore.

Collins’ question marks are massive on the defensive end. His size — 6-foot-10 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan — will make it incredibly difficult for him to be a valuable rim protector at the NBA level and likely significantly limit his ability to play as a small ball center in some lineups. Add in questionable instincts and awareness and it becomes less clear how well Collins will fit as a defender in the NBA.

Learn more about John Collins at The Step Back.