Soaring Down South
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John Collins is all-in on the culture in Atlanta

By George Jeliazkov

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 26: The Atlanta Hawks introduces new draft picks John Collins, Tyler Dorsey, and Alpha Kaba during a Press Conference on June 26, 2017 at Fox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 26: The Atlanta Hawks introduces new draft picks John Collins, Tyler Dorsey, and Alpha Kaba during a Press Conference on June 26, 2017 at Fox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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From attending Atlanta sports games, to spending time in the community, Atlanta Hawks rookie John Collins is quickly getting used to his new home.

Summer League sensation John Collins is having no problems adapting to his new home in Atlanta as the 19-year-old seems to be settling in quite nicely. The Atlanta community has welcomed in the 19th overall pick from Wake Forest with open arms as he is in many ways one of the faces of this new era Atlanta Hawks team.

Many know about his stellar collegiate stats from last season, 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in 33 contests. Collins lit up the Summer League venue in Las Vegas as he became a human highlight reel, but it’s off the court where the highlights continue to roll.

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Go to the newly built Mercedes Benz stadium and cheer on Atlanta United, check.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsSouth/status/908120733364056064

Lead the chop at a Braves game, check.

Support his teammate Kent Bazemore’s foundation by going to an UNO tournament, check.

Collins has undoubtedly won over Hawks fans on the court, but his representation of the organization away from basketball is what will make him adored in this city. To see a player take such initiative is rare, but when it comes from a rookie it just goes to show what kind of person he is.

Atlanta may have said goodbye to its hero in Paul Millsap this summer, and with that an era may have been closed, but the time is ripe to start anew. The Hawks enjoy a plethora of humble stars, with Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroder being chief examples of such, but their ranks are only growing with personalities like Collins around the team.

It’s one thing to be a star, but quite another altogether to be relatable and a premier representative of the community as Collins has been so far. Atlanta sports has a strong following and even if he may not know it yet, Collins has an entire city behind him and his team.

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Basketball may be in that time of year where everything seems to be in limbo, as is common in the September slump, but Hawks fans will take solace in the fact that opening night is only one month away and our team is armed with the larger than life presence of John Collins.

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