There is a connection between the Hawks and Wake Forest that goes beyond first-round draft pick John Collins.
Some good. Some painful.
There has been more of the good recently, for sure. However, there are vexing memories for many Hawks fans that involve the university and several twists of fate. Perhaps Collins can be the salve that finally closes slow healing wounds.
Hawks fans still cringe. Just mention the name Chris Paul and watch as one of the more painful memories in franchise history brings the face of agony. The Hawks infamously passed on Paul in the 2005 NBA Draft. Despite the need for a point guard and Paul’s overwhelming desire to play here, the Hawks selected Marvin Williams with the second overall pick. Williams has become a productive NBA player. Paul was Rookie of the Year and is a nine-time All-Star.
Can you feel that uncomfortable sensation climbing your spine?
The current head coach of the Wake Forest men’s basketball team is Danny Manning. He played 15 NBA seasons after being the No. 1 overall pick in 1988 out of Kansas. But what Hawks fans will remember most is that Manning played 26 games for their team in 1994 after a midseason trade. The Hawks traded franchise legend Dominique Wilkins in the deal. Manning left for the Suns the next season. Many consider the deal the worst trade in franchise history.
Can you feel the hair standing up on the back of your neck?
Unrelated, but interesting nonetheless, Collins spent part of his youth living in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You might remember another Wake Forest alum from the Caribbean islands. Tim Duncan, the 15-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion, played at Wake Forest from 1993-97.
The Hawks did draft a point guard from Wake Forest four years after passing on Paul. The team selected Jeff Teague with the 19th pick of the 2009 draft. Teague spent his first seven seasons with the Hawks, becoming part of the core of the team and making an All-Star team during the 60-win season of 2014-15, before being traded to the Pacers last year.
The Hawks had the 19th pick in this year’s draft and again turned to Wake Forest. They drafted Collins, the power forward/center, who like Teague left after his sophomore season. The Hawks were thrilled that Collins fell to them as many considered him a lottery pick.
Collins and Paul have developed a relationship based on their connection with Wake Forest. They are represented by the same agency, and Collins has joined Paul in Los Angeles for summer workouts.
“He has helped me and guided me every step of the way,” Collins said of Paul.
Several times last season, Collins would get a nudge from yet another connection between the Hawks and Wake Forest with the raised possibility that he could begin his professional career in Atlanta.
Mit Shah is a Wake Forest alum and a major benefactor to the school. He recently donated $5 million to the school to build a basketball practice facility. Shah also happens to be a co-owner of the Hawks as he joined the investment team led by principal owner Tony Ressler that purchased the team two years ago.
“He was always nudging me and saying, ‘If you are around at 19, we are going to take you,’” the 19-year-old Collins said. “He came through on his word. I’m happy to be a Hawk. I’m happy to be in Atlanta.”
Shah did more than suggest Collins could be a Hawk. He brought assistant general manager Jeff Peterson to a Wake Forest-Duke game. He spoke to coach Mike Budenholzer about Collins several times before an interview at the NBA Scouting Combine in May.
“We really thought there was no chance he would be there when we picked and there was absolutely no chance he was going to get by us at 19,” Shah said.
Shah was in the Hawks’ war room on draft night Thursday. Manning was at the draft in Brooklyn to support Collins. They began a rapid text exchange when it became clear the Hawks were going to select Collins. Shah described the Hawks’ room as “ecstatic” with the selection.
“John is a very talented young man,” Manning said. “He works extremely hard. He was a joy to coach. A great kid. He has a knack for scoring the ball. … He is going to be someone who brings it every night.”
Shah, incidentally, has known Paul since the guard was 16 years old and describes him as a little brother. Shah has watched countless games at Wake Forest involving Collins. The two met again in Los Angeles in April at Game 7 of the Clippers-Jazz playoff series. Shah was the guest of Paul. Collins was there after spending the day at Paul’s house. Less than two months later, Collins is a Hawk.
The Wake Connection is taking a new turn with a combination of the dark past and bright future.
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