In a Sports World of Entitlement, Gorman’s Zach Collins Kept Battling Daily To Become NBA’s 10th Overall Pick In 2017 Draft

(Publisher’s Note: Las Vegas D.J. Allen wrote a story in light of today’s NBA Draft.)

 

By D.J. ALLEN

Special to LVSportsBiz.com

 

Zach Collins has written one of the most unique stories in basketball over the past six years – and very few have noticed. That’s what makes him and his story so special.

 

Born and raised in Southern Nevada, the 20-year-old 7-footer just finished his rookie season with Portland in the NBA after being the Trail Blazers’ No. 1 pick (10th overall) in the 2017 draft. Young Collins played in 66 games this past season, starting one. But that is nothing new to Collins – and that is where his story takes shape.

 

Collins played his four high school years at basketball powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Most players of Collins’ stature walk onto campus a varsity starter. Not Collins, he didn’t start as a freshman. Or a sophomore. Or a junior. It’s not that Collins was a late bloomer. No, he was already considered one of the top talents in his class. Instead, it was because Gorman had two other nationally-ranked big men – Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter – who were a year older than Collins already starting.

  

It was a unique challenge for Gorman coach Grant Rice. He toyed with starting the three bigs – all 6-foot-10 or bigger – but ultimately kept Collins coming off the bench, even though you could argue Collins had earned the chance to start due to his performance in practice and games.

 

In today’s world, many kids in Collins’ position would have their locker cleaned out to transfer after not starting just one game – let alone for three-straight seasons. Not Collins. He battled daily in practice, kept getting better and was the best sixth man in the nation while helping Gorman win three titles off the bench. As a senior, he dominated as a starter, led Gorman to another state title and earned a scholarship to play at Gonzaga.

 

In college, Collins found himself in a similar position. Gonzaga entered the 2016-17 season as one of the top teams in the nation led by senior center Przemek Karnowski, meaning the freshman Collins would once again be coming off the bench. And, once again, no one did it better. Collins came off the bench in all 39 games that year, but he was considered by many the Bulldogs’ best player by the end of the season. And that was with the entire nation watching as Collins helped lead Gonzaga to the national championship game vs. North Carolina.

 

A few months later – despite never starting a single game in college – Collins was shaking NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s hand on draft night as a lottery pick.

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Five seasons in high school and college. Only one as a starter. Rarely will you find an NBA lottery pick who comes off the bench in a single game during his five years leading up to being drafted. But Collins’ story is different and that is what makes him different.

 

Be careful to not mistake Collins’ patience, maturity and resolve as a lack of competitiveness. In fact, anyone who’s ever been on the other side of Collins’ physical play will let you know how much of a competitor the young man is. In fact, that patience, maturity and resolve simply displays his strength.  

 

In a world suffering from an epidemic of entitlement, Collins proves to us there is an alternative – keep working hard, help your team win and good things will happen. Always put performance over promotion.

 

There is little doubt Collins will ultimately succeed in the NBA because he already has a leg up on many other young players in The League. You see, most lottery picks in the NBA have rarely faced adversity in their careers. And, when they do for the first time, many aren’t mentally strong enough to handle it. It’s what separates the guys who get a taste of the NBA and the guys who make a career in the NBA.

 

All Collins knows in his career is overcoming adversity while staying focused on helping his teams win. That’s why chances are he’ll have a long career in the NBA – with many starts down the line and the ability to take care of his family financially for the rest of his life. Why? He knows nothing is ever guaranteed and he’s not entitled to a thing. With that mindset combined with his skillset, the ceiling keeps getting higher.

 

It’s a special trait many of us can learn from – if we, like Zach, simply make the choice to do so.

 

*

 

D.J. Allen is a performance & communication coach, author and speaker. His company – Xs & Os of Success – works with organizations throughout the nation strengthening teams, enhancing leaders and growing producers.