Nick Collison is the rock that grounds the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Nick Collison is steady, reliable and calm. He’s not a player who will cause controversy. He’s strong, smart and loyal.
Collison isn’t a starter (in fact, he’s only started about a dozen times over the past five seasons), but he’s a role player. On or off the bench, he’s figured out how to affect games through calmness and strategy. He doesn’t celebrate after making a big play, and he possesses a stoic poise that often comes across as fearlessness. His Instagram account is filled with pictures of travel, Halloween costumes, and precious family time.
The 35-year-old basketball veteran finished his 12th NBA season this year, and he has played every game of his professional career with the same team—a rarity in the ever-moving franchise world.
In fact, only a handful of active players have been with one organization for as long as Collison: Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade in Miami, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Before announcing his retirement, Tim Duncan also made the small list.
All Thunder fans know Collison is “Mr. Thunder,” as penned by former teammate Kevin Durant last year. But, there’s more to the big man than game minutes and longevity. How much do you really know about Oklahoma City’s sweetheart?
The man behind the four
Born in Iowa in 1980, Collison grew up in Iowa Falls and attended Iowa Falls High School. In 1999, he was named a McDonald’s All-American. Shortly after, he played for Kansas and helped the Jayhawks reach two back-to-back Final Fours in 2002 and 2003. He was named the ’02-’03 Player of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Year. When he finished college, Collison held the title of the leading scorer in the history of the Big 12 Conference.
In 2003, his number four jersey was retired by KU in recognition of his achievements.
With his rookie years behind him, the 6-foot-10 athlete was selected by the Seattle Supersonics in the 2003 NBA draft. Collison was the 12th overall pick and, after missing his draft season due to shoulder injuries, made his NBA debut in 2004.
In his debut season, at the age of 24, Collison averaged 2.3 field goals per game, maintained a 54% field goal percentage and 70% free throw percentage, averaged 4.6 rebounds, .4 assists, .4 steals, and .6 blocks.
When the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma in 2008, Collison went with them and remains the only Thunder player from the Sonics era.
A change in roles
In the ’15-’16 season, Collison averaged .8 field goals, 50% field goal percentage, 70% free throw percentage, 2.9 rebounds, .9 assists, .3 steals, and .3 blocks. As his statistics have dropped, along with the number of games he’s played (82 in ’04 and 59 in ’15), Collison’s role with the Thunder has shifted from scoring points and snatching rebounds to a more passive, wise role.
“Being older, I’m not the same player I was…” – Nick Collison
In a recent interview with Thunder media, Collison was asked about his reduced role. “I was prepared for it,” he said. “Last year my minutes started to go down. I understood what was coming. Being older, I’m not the same player I was, but I think it has more to do with our roster and the way the game has changed.”
“I really had a good time this year, trying to help other guys,” he added. “It’s been fun to see our young guys develop and really step up in the playoffs.”
A friend and a leader
In an interview with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Collison said, “I think I want to always be an authentic teammate—really try to do whatever I can to help guys out, help the team out. It’s just the way I’ve been taught to be part of a basketball team.”
In doing so, Collison has developed valuable friendships with Thunder players—most notably Steven Adams. Last summer, the pair visited Seattle and went boating together. This year, they’re trekking around Adams’ homeland in New Zealand and giving back through charity and coaching.
“He’s a great teammate, he wants to learn—really as good as they come,” Collison said of Adams in his NBPA interview. “He’s interested in a lot of things. He’s funny. We get along well even though I’m quite a bit older than him.”
“Collison is taking an intentional and active role. When I say building the organization, he’s helping that guy,” Sam Presti recently said of Collison’s relationship with Adams. “I think he’s really invested in Steven and his success.”
What the future holds
In 2015, Collison signed a $7.5 million two-year contract extension with the Thunder.
“I never felt the need to go anywhere else and the way our team has grown, it’s been really fun to be a part of.” – Nick Collison
“I never felt the need to go anywhere else and the way our team has grown, it’s been really fun to be a part of,” Collison recently told the NBPA. “It’s been a place I’ve wanted to be and they’ve wanted to have me around.”
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For a professional athlete, he is approaching typical retirement age. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs just retired at the age of 40. Michael Jordan was 40 when he retired for good. Kobe Bryant was 37. Larry Bird was 35.
“As you get older, you know that day is coming,” Collison said. “I’ll consider a lot of things. I think I also realize that things change, and I’ve got another year to play, so I can’t make any decisions now.”
A family man, Collison cites fatherhood as a primary factor in his decision. “I have a 10-year-old daughter, and that will be my priority,” he said. “That will be a main priority for me is what’s best for her, so that’ll be a big part of my decision.”
As far as coaching for the Thunder one day…Collison says he’s thought about it. There’s a lot that goes into that decision, but he’s not ruling it out.