Ex-Cardinal Newman star enjoys first All-Star Weekend experience
LOS ANGELES — Former Cardinal Newman standout John Collins thought he had experienced it all when he was selected in the first round of last year’s NBA draft.
And then Friday night happened.
Collin, a forward for the Atlanta Hawks, made his first appearance during NBA All-Star Weekend, in the Rising Stars Challenge game at Staples Center.
“Being here is a big accomplishment,” Collins said. “There’s a lot of rookies in the league, a lot of second year guys in the league, for them to pick me, especially for the US team, there’s so many guys it’s such a big accomplishment for me. I just got to keep hoopin’ and continue to play like I play.”
Collins finished with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and three rebounds in a losing effort. Team World defeated Team USA 155-124. Collins was his team’s fourth-leading scorer behind Jaylen Brown (35 points), Kyle Kuzma (20) and Jayson Tatum (15). World Team’s Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Sacramento Kings was named most valuable player with 26 points and six assists.
The experience was overwhelming for Collins. After a solid prep career at Cardinal Newman and earing first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors at Wake Forest, he became just the third player from Palm Beach County chosen in the first round of the NBA draft. The others are Derek Harper (now-closed North Shore) and Otis Thorpe (Lake Worth). Collins was selected at No. 19.
“It’s definitely a lot to take in, especially being out in L.A.,” Collins said. “It’s my first All-Star experience. It’s pretty dope seeing all the super stars and all the big-time names. For me to be in one of the games out here it puts icing on the cake.”
Collins is quietly putting together one of the best seasons among first-year players. Entering the All-Star Break, he was the 11th-leading rookie scorer at 10.2 points a game, fourth in rebounds (7.0) and first in blocks (1.15). His 58 percent shooting percentage is also No. 2 among rookies.
His play has silenced the doubters who overlooked him in high school and questioned whether he could make it in the NBA. He was lightly recruited at Cardinal Newman, only having a handful of scholarship offers. Even after leading the ACC in scoring his sophomore season at Wake Forest, many felt he needed more time in college to develop a perimeter game.
Instead of struggling, he was playing on the NBA’s grandest stage on Friday night.
He had only had two disappointments this weekend. His mother, Lyria, who is his biggest supporter, was unable to attend. Collins also said he felt he should have earned a spot in Saturday night’s dunk competition.
He was left out of the event that includes Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Larry Nance Jr. (Cleveland Cavaliers), Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz). The omission caused Collins to turn the Rising Stars game into his personal dunking showcase. He scored all five of his baskets on dunks. The highlights included catching an alleyoop from Smith early in the first quarter and grabbing another lob pass in the closing moments.
“Not being in the dunk contest isn’t going to stop me from dunking,” Collins said. “I’m a huge dunker. Hopefully they can give me a call up another time.”