Former Deacon Collins gaining confidence in NBA Summer League

The 19th overall pick in last months draft, John Collins is averaging a double-double in three summer tournament games for the Atlanta Hawks

Stephen R. Sylvanie—USA Today Sports
Justin Jackson takes a shot for the Sacramento Kings in their Las Vegas NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday

John Collins was admittedly nervous in his NBA Las Vegas Summer League debut for the Atlanta Hawks last Friday. “It was my first professional game ever, I’m going to have nerves,” the former Wake Forest star told NBA TV after attempting only four field goals and scoring eight points in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets. “It was good for me to get those out.” He got them out, all right. The 19th overall pick in last month’s draft, Collins has grown in confidence with each passing game, averaging a double-double in wins against New Orleans and Chicago. Monday, he scored 15 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in a 75-55 rout of the Bulls while blocking two shots and making 7 of 15 shots.In the process Collins dominated fellow first round rounder Lauri Markkanen of Chicago, who went just 1 of 13 from the floor while giving an indication that he’ll be ready to make an immediate impact for the Hawks once the regular season begins.Another recent first round selection, North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, bounced back from a subpar shooting performance in his previous game to hit for 16 points in the Sacramento Kings’ 95-92 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The best performance of the day among players with state college ties was turned in by former Duke national champion Quinn Cook. The veteran guard, who finally appears to have found a home with the New Orleans Pelicans, recorded 20 points, four rebounds and two assists in his team’s loss to the Nets. Fellow Blue Devils alumnus Ryan Kelly finished with 13 points and six rebounds in his first full game with the Atlanta Hawks. Otherwise, Monday was a slow day for local players in the two-week summer tournament. Kennedy Meeks (UNC/Raptors), Kendall Marshall (UNC/Clippers), Brandon Ingram (Duke/Lakers) and Matt Jones (Duke/Rockets) all took DNPs. Brice Johnson (UNC) saw just 13 minutes of action for the Los Angeles Clippers in their win against Milwaukee, scoring five points on 1 of 4 shooting, while his former Tar Heel teammate Isaiah Hicks played even less, scoring a single basket in his three-minute cameo in the game. Finally, UNC graduate Nate Britt saw his first action in the Vegas Summer League, finishing with two points and two assists in 10 minutes for the Hawks in their win against the Bulls. Here are the cumulative stats for all state players participating in Las Vegas:Brandon Ingram, Duke (Lakers): 1 game, 26.0 ppg, 9-17 FG, 1-4 3PT, 7-8 FT, 3.0 apg, 3.0 spgQuinn Cook, Duke (Pelicans): 3 G, 20.3 ppg, 26-45 FG, 4-10 3PT, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.0 spgDennis Smith, NC State (Mavs) 2 G, 19.5 ppg, 13-26 FG, 4-11 3PT, 9-12 FT, 7.5 rpg, 5.0 apgJayson Tatum, Duke (Celtics): 2 G, 19.0 ppg, 13-30 FG, 1-1 3PT, 11-11 FT, 9.0 rpgJohn Collins, Wake Forest (Hawks): 3 G, 15.0 ppg, 18-30 FG, 9-13 FT, 10.7 rpg, 1.3 spgMarcus Paige, UNC (T-wolves): 2 G, 15.0 ppg, 10-23 FG, 5-12 3PT, 5-5 FT, 3,0 apgBrice Johnson, UNC (Clippers): 3 G, 14.0 ppg, 16-28 FG, 10-13 FT, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 bpgKennedy Meeks, UNC (Raptors): 2 G, 13.5 ppg, 12-20 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-4 FT, 6.5 rpgTony Bradley, UNC (Jazz): 2 G, 13.0 ppg, 13-24 FG, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpgJustin Jackson, UNC (Kings): 3 G, 12.7 ppg, 16-40 FG, 4-17 3PT, 2-3 FT, 2.3 rpgRyan Kelly Duke (Hawks): 2 G, 10.5 ppg, 6-21 FG, 3-10 3PT, 6-7 FT, 4.0 rpgJack Gibbs, Davidson (T-wolves): 2 G, 10.5 ppg, 8-19 FG, 4-12 3PT, 1-2 FT, 3.5 apg, 2.0 spgMatt Jones, Duke (Rockets): 1 G, 7.0 ppg, 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-5 FT, 2.0 rpgIsaiah Hicks, UNC (Clippers): 3 G, 6.3 ppg, 7-11 FG, 5-8 FT, 2.0 rpg, 1.7 bpgC.J. Williams, NC State (T-wolves): 2 G, 6.0 ppg, 5-13 FG, 1-7 3PT, 1-2 FT, 1.5 rpgKendall Marshall, UNC (Clippers): 2 G, 5.5 ppg, 2-5 FG, 1-1 3PT, 6-7 FT, 1.5 rpg, 8.0 apgJ.P. Tokoto, UNC (Jazz): 1 G, 5.0 ppg, 2-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 3.0 rpgAmile Jefferson, Duke (T-wolves): 2 G, 4.0 ppg, 3-7 FG, 2-4 FT, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 spgNate Britt, UNC (Hawks): 1 G, 2.0 ppg, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2.0 apgEric Griffin, Campbell (Jazz): 1 G, 2.0 ppg, 1-2 FG, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 spg, 4.0 bpgScott Wood, NC State (Celtics): 2 G, 0.0 ppg, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT