Nicholas John Collison (born October 26, 1980) is an American professional basketball player, currently a power forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, and well known in basketball circles for his accomplishments at the University of Kansas.
Early life and high school career
Nick Collison was born in Orange City, Iowa, and grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa and transferred from the St. Edmond Catholic School system to Iowa Falls High School.
Nick Collison was a 1999 McDonald's All-American in high school while attending Iowa Falls, Iowa.
During a game in his junior season, Collison's shorts were pulled down by a defender who earned a technical foul.[1]
From 3rd grade to his Senior year in high school, the Iowa Falls Cadets only lost one game. That game was lost in the state quarterfinals after Iowa Falls went from 2A to 3A and had almost no competition until the state quarterfinals.
Collison played in the Teener Baseball League in Fort Dodge, Iowa during the summer.
College career
Teaming with fellow Iowan Kirk Hinrich to form one of the best duos in college basketball, Collison helped KU reach two consecutive Final Fours (2002, 2003). Collison finished his college career as the leading scorer in the history of the Big 12 Conference (since passed by Andre Emmett). Perhaps his best collegiate performance was in the 2003 NCAA tournament, in which he scored 33 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a thrilling victory over the Duke University Blue Devils. In 2003, his Jayhawks lost to the Syracuse University Orangemen in the National Championship game, 81–78. He played for the US national team in the 2002 FIBA World Championship.[2]
Collison's #4 jersey was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks at halftime of a 2004 game between Kansas and Michigan State University,[3] in recognition of his achievements (2002–03 Player of the Year, consensus First-Team All-America, Big 12 Player of the Year).[4] Like Hinrich, Collison played all four years in college.
NBA career
Collison was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 12th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft but missed the 2003–04 season with injuries to both shoulders. He made his regular season NBA debut on November 3, 2004 against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 3 points in a 114–84 loss. He still plays for the SuperSonics, although they are now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder since relocating in 2008.
Since his rookie season, Collison made the power forward position his own, emerging as a valuable and solid player during 2006–07, averaging nearly double figures in points (9.6) and adding 8 rebounds per game, while displaying great hustle. The following season, with slightly fewer minutes, Collison pulled down more rebounds (9.4) and points (9.8) per game.
Personal life
After the decision by the owners of the team to relocate to Oklahoma City Collison decided to continue making his home in Seattle.[5]
Nick is married to Robbie Harriford.
Nick Collison's younger brother Michael turned down playing for the Kansas Jayhawks in order to play at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Michael intends to major in Theology and go into priesthood upon graduating.
NBA career statistics
Regular season
| Year |
Team |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
| 2004–05 |
Seattle |
82 |
4 |
17.0 |
.537 |
.000 |
.703 |
4.6 |
.4 |
.4 |
.6 |
5.6 |
| 2005–06 |
Seattle |
66 |
27 |
21.9 |
.525 |
.000 |
.699 |
5.6 |
1.1 |
.3 |
.5 |
7.5 |
| 2006–07 |
Seattle |
82 |
56 |
29.0 |
.500 |
.000 |
.774 |
8.1 |
1.0 |
.6 |
.8 |
9.6 |
| 2007–08 |
Seattle |
78 |
35 |
28.5 |
.502 |
.000 |
.737 |
9.4 |
1.4 |
.6 |
.8 |
9.8 |
| 2008–09 |
Oklahoma City |
71 |
40 |
25.8 |
.568 |
.000 |
.721 |
6.9 |
.9 |
.7 |
.7 |
8.2 |
| Career |
|
379 |
162 |
24.5 |
.522 |
.000 |
.733 |
6.9 |
1.0 |
.5 |
.6 |
8.2 |
Playoffs
| Year |
Team |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
| 2004–05 |
|
11 |
0 |
19.8 |
.607 |
1.000 |
.630 |
5.0 |
.5 |
.3 |
.4 |
8.4 |
| Career |
|
11 |
0 |
19.8 |
.607 |
1.000 |
.630 |
5.0 |
.5 |
.3 |
.4 |
8.4 |
See also
References
External links
