Detroit Pistons draft targets: Center edition

Zach Collins | C | 7’0” | 19 years old | Gonzaga

• Stats last season: 39 games, 17.3 minutes, .652 FG%, .476 3P%, .743 FT%, 10.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.8 blocks per game
• Draft range: 7-14, somewhat likely to be available
• Why he fits in Detroit: Collins offers potential as either a power forward or a center with his unique combination of size and agility — one who may be able to stretch the floor with perimeter shooting in time, at that.

Zach Collins didn’t get the minutes he deserved on an experience-laden Gonzaga team last season. But the ones he did see, boy, did he make them count. His per 40 minute numbers? A ridiculous 23.2 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.1 blocks.

Collins was able to be so efficient because he thinks the game at a high level and has great instincts. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s an agile seven footer that always gives maximum effort.

He is exceptionally agile and quick considering his size. This helps him run the floor in transition, dive successfully in the pick and roll, and react to the things happening around him. Combined with his verticality, nose for the ball, and impeccable fundamentals, I see no reason why Collins can’t be the rebounder and shot blocker he was at Gonzaga in the NBA.

Offensively, he can operate in a lot of ways. He’s a strong finisher at the rim who shows signs of great post footwork and he can also be a stretch four/five in time. He shot only 21 threes in his only collegiate season, but his form looks pretty good (albeit a bit too slow) and he’s clearly able to put touch on his shots. It’s a unique player that can be equally deadly in the pick and roll and the pick and pop, but Collins could be just that if all goes right.

Collins only possesses average length for a seven footer, which is sometimes evident against bigger players, and he’s too jumpy and foul prone on defense while in search of blocks, but his defensive instincts and timing are usually on point and help him make up for those shortcomings.

Collins is still only 19 years old and is unpolished in a lot of ways. He’s not strong enough to hang with NBA centers and he’s not polished enough on the perimeter to chase around certain power forwards.

Still, unless pandemonium ensues, I don’t think there’d be another prospect on the board that I’d take over him if Collins falls to No. 12.