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Nevada Boys Basketball POY: Zach Collins

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Zach Collins

THE BASICS

School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward and Center
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 225 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Gaels to a 25-7 record and their fifth straight Division I state title this past season. Collins averaged 17.3 points and 14 rebounds per game while shooting 67 percent from inside the arc. A 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game selection and the nation’s No. 32 recruit in the Class of 2016 as rated by Rivals.com, he scored 24 points on 11-for-14 shooting to go with 15 rebounds and eight blocks in the state title-clinching win over Centennial.

Academic excellence: Collins has maintained a 3.19 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally as a special education teaching assistant and on behalf of his church youth group.

THE PRAISE

“Zach Collins is great player, but more importantly, he is a gentleman,” said Ryan Fretz, head coach at Desert Oasis High. “I have been extremely impressed how he has become a leader, an example and a mentor within our local basketball community. The respect he shows opposing coaches, teams and players should be applauded. He is the best player in our state and it was very difficult to game plan for him. His athleticism and length is much greater than folks realize.”

THE FUTURE: Collins has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Gonzaga University this fall.

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