Jarron Thomas Collins (born December 2, 1978) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, and played 10 seasons in the NBA. He has a twin brother, Jason, who also played in the league.
Early life
Jarron Collins was born in Northridge, California.[1] He and his twin brother Jason, who also became an NBA player, graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California. Also on the team was actor Jason Segel, who starred in a slam dunk contest after Collins deferred to allow his teammate to participate.[2]
Collins shot 72 percent from the floor and averaged 13.8 points and 9.2 rebounds during his senior year in high school.[3]
College career
Collins attended Stanford University, where he was a two-time All-American and finished his Stanford career in the top ten all time in four career categories: rebounds, blocked shots, field-goal percentage and games played.[4]
He was also recruited by UCLA, where he, his brother, and Earl Watson were the guests at the recruiting dinner that led to the firing of Jim Harrick at UCLA.[5]
NBA career
Collins was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft and played eight seasons with the Jazz until becoming a free agent following the 2009 season.[6]
Collins spent the 2009 NBA preseason with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was waived by Portland, but then claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Suns.[7]
Collins later joined the Los Angeles Clippers, signing a 10-day contract on January 7, 2011. He renewed his tenure, later signing another 10-day contract on January 17, 2011. On March 1, 2011, he signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers,[8] and was released after finishing a second ten-day contract. That second 10-day contract ended up being Collins' final days in the NBA, as his final game was on March 17, 2011, in a 111 - 70 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his final game, Collins played for 4 minutes and recorded no stats.