Hawks select John Collins with No. 19 pick

With the 19th pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Wake Forest forward John Collins.

A throwback power forward, Collins took a major leap in his sophomore season with the Demon Deacons, nearly averaging a double-double with 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He shot 62.2 percent from the field and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The athleticism Collins contains in his 6-foot-10 frame hints at a player that could be an above-average rebounder at the next level, though he'll likely have to bulk up from a slight 225 pounds. On defense, opposing slashers will challenge Collins at the rim until he proves that he can defend without being goaded into fouls.

Unlike other thinly-built bigs in today's game, Collins hasn't showcased an ability to stretch his shot out beyond the arc; he attempted just one 3-pointer in his two years at Wake Forest. Improving his proficiency as even a mid-range threat, combined with better focus on the defensive end, will be the key to Collins' future at the pro level.