NICK COLLISON

Position: PF School: Kansas High School: Iowa Falls (IA) Conference: Big 12 Ht., Wt.: 6'9, 250 Selected by Seattle SuperSonics Round 1, pick 12 (12 overall)

BIO: Collison completed an outstanding four-year career at Kansas by being named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. He led the Jayhawks to the national championship game after averaging 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. Collison, a career 62 percent foul shooter, finished with 19 points and 21 rebounds in the championship game loss to Syracuse. Collison closed his career as the Jayhawks' second-leader scorer behind Danny Manning and the third-leading rebounder behind Manning and Raef LaFrentz. Collison has extensive experience with USA Basketball and was the lone college player named to the team that will compete in the Tournament of Americas in August. The Iowa native averaged 15.6 points and 8.3 rebounds as a junior paired with Drew Gooden of the Orlando Magic in the frontcourt. ANALYSIS: Collison was a great college player who should forge out a nice career in the NBA thanks to his better-than-average athleticism and court awareness. This son of a coach really knows how to play the game. He uses his size to his advantage to do scoring damage in the post, and he was one of the top rebounders in the college game. Is there a knock on Collison? Not one that stands out. He'll just have to learn how to adjust to the pro game, and keep getting stronger, which will be an area where he can stand out. The stronger he becomes, the more effective he'll be in the paint. POSITIVES: Collison was dominant in college. His 255-pound frame allowed him to get deep position in the post, and his polished footwork and soft touch helped him finish. On the perimeter, Collison was a big-time shooter, and he showed he could put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket on occasion. Defensively, Collison owned the glass. NEGATIVES: Not a good free-throw shooter. More important, at the NBA's pre-draft strength testing in early June, there were conflicting reports on Collison's performance. Now some are raising questions of whether Collison can be the hard-nosed forward in the NBA that he was in college. Even if you dismiss those reports, there is no denying Collison's athleticism is a concern. Whether or not Collision has the separation speed to create shots off the dribble is the million-dollar question. Lack of quickness killed the NBA careers of recent first-round selections Kirk Haston and Mike Bradley of the Raptors. PROJECTION: Mid First Round 2002 - 2003 Season Stats Photo: Elsa/Getty Images