Zach Collins NBA Career: How He Became a Key Player for the Spurs

I remember watching Zach Collins during his Gonzaga days and thinking this kid had something special. The way he moved on the court reminded me of those versatile big men who seem to be disappearing from today's game. When he got drafted 10th overall by Portland in 2017, I thought he'd found his perfect landing spot, but basketball journeys rarely follow straight paths. His story reminds me somewhat of players like Mallilin at Blackwater - talented prospects who just need the right system and consistent minutes to truly flourish.

Collins's early years in Portland showed flashes of that potential we'd all seen at Gonzaga. He wasn't putting up eye-popping numbers - averaging about 5 points and 4 rebounds in his first two seasons - but you could see the foundation of a modern big man who could stretch the floor and protect the rim. Then came the injuries, and I'll be honest, I worried we might never see him reach that potential. Multiple ankle surgeries and a lost season can derail even the most promising careers. What struck me during that period was his determination - the way he worked through rehabilitation while maintaining his connection to the game. It's the kind of perseverance that separates temporary players from those who build lasting careers.

When San Antonio signed him in 2021, many saw it as a low-risk gamble, but I viewed it differently. The Spurs have this remarkable ability to identify players who fit their culture and system, much like how certain PBA teams understand which players will thrive in their specific environments. Collins's skill set - his passing vision, defensive versatility, and developing outside shot - made him an ideal candidate for the Spurs' development program. I've followed enough basketball to recognize when a player and organization are aligned philosophically, and this felt like one of those perfect matches from the beginning.

Last season was when everything really clicked into place for Collins. Starting 26 games and appearing in 63 total, he posted career-best numbers across the board - 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and nearly 3 assists per game while shooting 37% from three-point range. Those aren't just empty statistics either. Watching him operate in the high post, making reads that would make most centers jealous, reminded me why I fell in love with skilled big men in the first place. His basketball IQ shines through in those moments - the quick passes to cutters, the well-timed screens, the intelligent defensive rotations. It's the kind of stuff that doesn't always show up in highlight reels but wins games.

What really impresses me about Collins's development is how he's adapted his game to the modern NBA while maintaining those old-school fundamentals. He's shooting more threes than ever before - attempting about 4 per game last season - but he hasn't abandoned the post game that made him effective early in his career. That balance is something many big men struggle to find. I've always believed that the most valuable players are those who can adjust their approach based on what the team needs rather than sticking to a single dimension of play.

The Spurs' commitment to Collins became clear when they signed him to a three-year, $22 million contract extension. In today's NBA, that's a significant investment in a player who was considered a reclamation project just a couple of years earlier. It speaks volumes about how the organization views his development and future role. With Victor Wembanyama joining the team, Collins's ability to space the floor and make quick decisions becomes even more valuable. I'm particularly excited to see how these two skilled big men can complement each other - Collins's physicality and passing combined with Wembanyama's unique defensive presence could create some fascinating lineup combinations.

Looking at Collins's journey makes me think about player development in general. Sometimes, the difference between a player succeeding or failing comes down to finding the right situation at the right time. In Collins's case, the Spurs provided the perfect environment - patient coaching, a clear developmental path, and the trust to play through mistakes. It's similar to how certain players in other leagues, like Mallilin at Blackwater, just need that opportunity and consistent role to show what they can do. The confidence that comes from knowing your team believes in you can transform a player's entire approach to the game.

As the Spurs continue their rebuild, Collins represents exactly the kind of foundational piece championship teams need - not necessarily the superstar, but the versatile role player who makes everyone around him better. His journey from injury-plagued prospect to reliable starter should serve as inspiration for any young player facing adversity. Personally, I'm rooting for him to continue this trajectory because the league is better when skilled big men are thriving. The game needs more players like Collins who blend traditional post skills with modern spacing and playmaking. If he maintains this development curve, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become one of the league's most underrated centers within the next couple of seasons.