 Granger during a Thunder game in March 2010. | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Special assistant |
| League: | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Full name: | Nicholas John Collison |
| Born: | October 26, 1980 Orange City, Iowa |
| Nationality: |  American
|
| Physical stats | |
| Listed height: | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight: | 255 lbs (116 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Iowa Falls (Iowa Falls, Iowa) |
| College: | Kansas (1999–2003) |
| NBA Draft: | 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th |
| Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics | |
| Playing career: | 2003–2018 (15 years) |
| Position: | Power Forward / Center |
| Jersey no.: | 4 |
| Career history | |
| 2003–2018 | Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Medals | |
| Men's basketball | |
| Representing the United States
| |
| FIBA Americas Championship | |
 Gold
|
2003 San Juan |
| FIBA Americas U18 Championship | |
| Gold
|
1998 Puerto Plata |
| FIBA U19 World Championship | |
 Silver
|
1999 Libson |
| FIBA U21 World Championship | |
| Gold
|
2001 Saitama |
Nicholas John Collison (born October 26, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who is a special assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He spent his entire 15-year career with the Seattle SuperSonics, later renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. He was drafted by the SuperSonics in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft and retired as a member of the Thunder in 2018. As a college player, Collison went to two Final Fours with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Early life and high school career[]
Collison was born in Orange City, Iowa and grew up in Fort Dodge and Iowa Falls. He attended Iowa Falls High School and was a McDonald's All-American in 1999.
College career[]
Teaming with fellow Iowan Kirk Hinrich to form one of the best duos in college basketball, Collison helped KU reach two consecutive Final Fours (2002 and 2003). Collison finished his college career as the leading scorer in the history of the Big 12 Conference (a mark since surpassed). In 2003, his Jayhawks lost to Carmelo Anthony and the Syracuse Orange in the National Championship game, 81–78. He also played for the United States national team at the 2002 FIBA World Championship.
Collison's no. 4 jersey was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks on November 25, 2003 during halftime of the Kansas-Michigan State game in recognition of his achievements over his four-year career (2002–03 Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-America, Big 12 Player of the Year).
Professional career[]
Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (2003–2018)[]
Draft year injury and relocation (2003–2008)[]
Collison was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 12th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, but missed the 2003–04 season with injuries to both shoulders. He made his NBA debut on November 3, 2004, recording two points, five rebounds and two assists in a 114–84 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He appeared in all 82 games in his rookie season, averaging 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game. He played in all 82 games for a second time during the 2006–07 season. On January 9, 2007, he had a career-best game with 29 points and 21 rebounds in a 113–102 loss to the Phoenix Suns. In 2008, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder.
Finals appearance and later years (2008–2018)[]
On December 19, 2010, Collison scored a season high 19 points and added 8 rebounds in a 113–120 loss to the Phoenix Suns. In the game he also drew his 15th charge of the season, a majority of the 22 charges the Thunder had drawn as a team to that point in the season. That postseason, on May 15, 2011, Collison helped the Thunder to a Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, with 8 points and a playoff career high 12 rebounds. The next round, Collison and the Thunder lost to the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks in the Conference Finals.
In 2012, he helped the Thunder make the leap to the next level, and reach the NBA Finals, where they lost in five games to the Miami Heat, whom were led by Collison's fellow 2003 draftees LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
On February 3, 2015, Collison signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension with the Thunder.
On July 21, 2017, Collison re-signed with the Thunder to a one-year, minimum salary deal.
On May 10, 2018, Collison announced his retirement from professional basketball. On January 12, 2019, the Thunder announced that they would be retiring Collison's No. 4 jersey, becoming the first number retired by the Thunder.
Post-playing career[]
Following his retirement as a player, he joined Thunder in the position of basketball operations representative. On August 10, 2021, he was promoted to the position of special assistant to executive Vice President and general manager.
Personal life[]
After the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City, Collison continued to make his home in Seattle.
Collison appeared on the cover of the 989 Sports video game NCAA Final Four 2004. The game was released on November 11, 2003 for the PlayStation 2.
Collison has a daughter named Emma. His younger brother, Michael, played college basketball for their father's alma mater, Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa.