Atlanta Hawks: John Collins Ranked 18th in FanSided’s 25-under-25 List

A quick look at a recent ranking by FanSided that ranks John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks as the 18th-best player under 25 years old in the NBA.

After a terrific sophomore campaign in which he was within striking distance of finishing with averages of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks is heading into his third season with an opportunity to cement his place as one of the best young players in the league.

Of course, Collins’s improvement last season could also be tied to the arrival of point guard dynamo Trae Young on the team, who was spoon-feeding Collins a variety of gorgeous lobs and easy buckets all season long last year, but Collins also showcased some strides on the defensive end as well as a budding off-the-dribble game – two things that must improve for him to truly take the next step.

FanSided’s story on Collins, by Ben Ladner in the site’s ongoing 25-under-25 series, agrees with this belief and even diagnoses some of Collins’s most pressing issues on the less glamorous end of the floor:

“[Collins’s] attentiveness, however, tends to waver, neutralizing some of his physical tools. He often fails to diagnose actions or anticipate rotations as the league’s best rim protectors do, and his activity on defense declined from his first season to his second, raising questions about Collins’ long-term viability as the anchor of Atlanta’s defense — particularly with a sieve like Young floating around at the point of attack.”

While that is definitely, there is no denying the tremendous talent Collins has, despite the typical heft and length required to be a long-term center.

Even if John the Baptist never grows into being a center full-time, his ability to provide astonishing feats of athleticism on a night-to-night basis and his easy chemistry with Trae Young mean he should be with the Atlanta Hawks for the long haul.

Also, it must be noted, though Sports Illustrated believes Collins to be a better player at this moment, FanSided has actually Trae Young higher in their 25-under-25 list.