Zach Collins Archives

Gonzaga freshman center Zach Collins has declared for the NBA Draft, he announced Tuesday. He is exploring his options without hiring an agent at this time, but intends to hire an agent at a later date.

“This was a significant decision for my family and me,” Collins said. “It was definitely one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I just want to thank everyone at Gonzaga, especially the coaching staff and my teammates. This season was special and something I will never forget. It was the most fun year of my life. I want to thank all of the Zag fans for all of their support and passion. I’ll always be proud to be a Zag.”

Collins is currently projected as the No. 13 pick in 2017 by DraftExpress.com.

“He’s the best center in the draft lottery,” one NBA executive told FanRagSports.com.

“Terrific upside,” a second NBA executive said. “He will be a lottery pick by the time he leaves school.”

Breaking News, Gonzaga, NCAA Tournament

Gonzaga Shedding ‘Mid-Major’ Label With Run to NCAA Championship Game

April 1, 2017

author: Dennis Chambers

By DENNIS CHAMBERS

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Forty minutes of good basketball play separates Gonzaga from their first ever national championship.

And if they pull it off on Monday night against the North Carolina-Oregon winner they will finish their season 38-1.

But people will still call them a mid-major.

Despite hearing the comments, Gonzaga’s players aren’t letting the knock on their path to the last game of the 2016-17 college season bother them.

“We just heard everything this year — we’ve heard the conference, we’ve heard we haven’t played tight games, that we’re not tough, we’ve heard everything,” Nigel Williams-Goss said after his team beat South Carolina 77-73 in the national semifinals. “Again to be 37-1 and playing the last game of the season, it’s just a blessing and I just couldn’t be more happy to be playing with these guys.”