John Martin Collins III Bio
John Martin Collins III is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward and center for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. Selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Collins has established himself as a dynamic two-way player known for his scoring prowess and rebounding ability. Throughout his career, he has played for three NBA franchises while earning recognition at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Early Life and Background
John Martin Collins III was born on September 23, 1997, in Layton, Utah, to John Collins Jr. and Lyria Rissing-Collins. His upbringing took place within a military family, as his father served in the United States Navy while his mother served in the United States Air Force. This unique household required frequent relocations during Collins’ formative years, exposing him to life in diverse locations including the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Turkey. These international experiences shaped his worldview and contributed to his adaptability as both a person and athlete.
During his teenage years spent on various military installations, Collins developed a passion for soccer and regularly played the sport on his mother’s bases. He developed into a dedicated fan of English football, particularly supporting Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League. This early exposure to international athletics would later influence his approach to team sports and competition.
Path to Professional Basketball
Collins attended Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where his basketball talents began to flourish significantly. Throughout his high school career, he earned three varsity letters while establishing himself as one of the premier players in the state. His outstanding senior season culminated in him being named the Florida Class 4A Player of the Year, a recognition that solidified his status as a highly regarded college prospect. On November 13, 2014, Collins signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Wake Forest University, joining a recruiting class that included Bryant Crawford and Doral Moore.
At Wake Forest University, Collins quickly made an impact for the Demon Deacons men’s basketball program during the 2015-2016 season. He appeared in all 31 games as a freshman and immediately demonstrated efficiency by leading the team in field goal percentage at an impressive 54.7 percent. His sophomore campaign proved even more remarkable as he elevated his game substantially, averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage.
Collins’ sophomore season at Wake Forest stands as one of the most statistically dominant individual performances in program history. He recorded 10 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading the ACC in such performances. He maintained a streak of 12 consecutive 20-point games, setting a new Wake Forest record. Notably, he became the first Demon Deacons player since NBA Hall of Famer Tim Duncan to score 600 points and grab 300 rebounds in a single season, achieving this feat during the 1996-97 campaign. These exceptional performances earned him ACC Most Improved Player honors and First-Team All-ACC recognition.
John Martin Collins III Career
Atlanta Hawks Era (2017-2023)
Collins began his professional journey when the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft on June 22, 2017. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the team on July 1, 2017, and quickly demonstrated his potential during the 2017 NBA Summer League. Collins earned All-Summer League First Team honors by averaging 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game over five contests, showcasing the athleticism and scoring ability that made him an attractive draft prospect.
The 2017-18 season saw Collins emerge as a consistent contributor for a young Hawks team undergoing a rebuild. He recorded his first career double-double on October 22, 2017, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets. His first career start came on November 22, 2017, against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he delivered an impressive performance with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and four steals in 38 minutes of action. Despite missing six games due to a shoulder injury sustained in late November, Collins finished his rookie season with averages of 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field. He recorded 11 double-doubles and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team on May 22, 2018.
Utah Jazz Tenure (2023-2025)
Collins returned to his home state of Utah when the Atlanta Hawks traded him to the Utah Jazz on July 7, 2023, in exchange for Rudy Gay and a future second-round draft pick. The trade represented a homecoming for Collins, who was born and raised in Layton, Utah, before his family relocated frequently during his childhood. Joining the Jazz marked a new chapter in his career as he sought to contribute to a franchise with playoff aspirations.
Los Angeles Clippers (2025-Present)
Exactly two years after arriving in Utah, Collins was traded once again on July 7, 2025. The Los Angeles Clippers acquired him through a three-team transaction involving the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat. As part of the deal, Utah received Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson from Miami along with a second-round draft pick, while Norman Powell moved from Los Angeles to Miami. Collins now joins the Clippers as they position themselves for sustained competitiveness in the Western Conference.
Playing Style and Strengths
Collins has established himself as a versatile power forward and center capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. His scoring versatility includes finishing at the rim with authority, mid-range shooting, and increasingly reliable three-point shooting. His rebounding instincts and athleticism make him a constant threat on the offensive glass, while his defensive capabilities allow him to protect the rim and switch onto smaller players effectively.
John Martin Collins III Career Highlights
Throughout his NBA career spanning from 2017 to the present, Collins has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple franchises. His journey from a productive rookie with the Atlanta Hawks to an established professional with the Utah Jazz and now the Los Angeles Clippers reflects his adaptability and consistent contributions.
College Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Collins achieved remarkable success during his two seasons at Wake Forest University. His ACC Most Improved Player award and First-Team All-ACC recognition in 2017 highlighted his rapid development into one of college basketball’s most efficient players. The 54.7 percent shooting as a freshman and subsequent improvement demonstrated his dedication to refining his craft.
NBA Accolades
Collins earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2018 following his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, validating his selection as the 19th overall pick. His $125 million contract extension signed with Atlanta in August 2021 underscored the organization’s confidence in his long-term potential. Throughout his career, he has recorded multiple 30-point games and numerous double-double performances.
John Martin Collins III Family
Family Background
Collins comes from a family with strong military connections through both of his parents. His father, John Collins Jr., served in the United States Navy, while his mother, Lyria Rissing-Collins, served in the United States Air Force. This military household required the family to relocate numerous times during Collins’ childhood, exposing him to different cultures and environments across multiple continents.
Personal Life
Despite the频繁 relocations of his youth, Collins maintained strong connections with his Utah roots, eventually returning to his home state when the Utah Jazz acquired him in 2023. He continues to reside in Layton, Utah, where he was originally born. Collins remains an avid supporter of Chelsea FC in the English Premier League, reflecting his continued appreciation for the sport he played during his teenage years on military installations worldwide.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant transition for Collins as he joins the Los Angeles Clippers following his tenure with the Utah Jazz. Fresh off a trade completed on July 7, 2025, Collins brings his experience from seven-plus NBA seasons to a Clippers roster seeking to maximize its championship potential. His versatility as a power forward and center provides the coaching staff with lineup flexibility and defensive switching options. The three-team transaction that brought him to Los Angeles reflects the franchise’s commitment to building a competitive roster around their core players. As Collins adapts to his new team and system, he aims to contribute immediately by providing scoring, rebounding, and the defensive versatility that has characterized his professional career since entering the league as the 19th overall pick in 2017.