Zach Collins off to hot start for San Antonio Spurs

Former Gonzaga standout has posted career-high numbers to start 2023-24 campaign following contract extension with Spurs

Zach Collins has embarked on a career renaissance tour following an injury-riddled start to his NBA career.

The former Gonzaga men's basketball standout signed a two-year, $35 million dollar extension with the San Antonio Spurs in October, which secured him through the 2025-26 season. The deal came after Collins missed nearly two full seasons with ankle injuries, but since signing with the Spurs in the 2021 offseason, he's regained his form as a versatile stretch-forward.

Through 11 games this season, Collins has put up career-bests in points per game (13.9) and field goal percentage (53.4% shooting from the field) to go along with 6.2 rebounds per game. He's been a solid complementary piece next to No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, as the two have already developed chemistry in San Antonio's frontcourt.

spurs high low with wembanyama has been an easy unstoppable offensive strategy, wemby working so well as a passer and finisher makes the early offense deadly

he's developing a nice synergy with zach collins pic.twitter.com/iZ8my2vns4

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 11, 2023

pic.twitter.com/PQ37Lgcns6

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 3, 2023

In fact, Collins has displayed a heightened sense of court vision that has been a key difference-maker for him and the Spurs this season. The 6-foot-11 big man has put up a career-best 3.7 assists per game thus far, many of which have come through backdoor cuts from the top of the arc.

This smooth pass from the top of the key by Zach Collins 😮‍💨pic.twitter.com/JWJp91H0O2

— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) November 11, 2023

Awesome sequence here from Zach Collins. Good drop, plays the pass extremely well, and dishes a great pass off the dribble that should have been an assist pic.twitter.com/ardH1cJYE5

— Gabe (@Hoops_GE) October 26, 2023

Like many other Gonzaga big men in the NBA, Collins' feel for the game outweighs any lack of flash. He won't surprise anyone with his athleticism or insane shooting stroke, though he'll bring a tough-minded attitude on the floor night in and night out while making the right basketball play. It's already hard enough to stand out next to the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, but Collins won't have to as a key member of the Spurs' supporting cast.

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