Resilience. That’s the word I keep coming back to.
Life constantly delivers challenges, but it’s the ability to bounce back—the strength to overcome adversity—that truly defines a person’s character. When I evaluate basketball players, I’m not just watching highlights or box scores. I’m looking deeper. I’m searching for the intangible—mental toughness, emotional grit, and the resilience to rise when life knocks you down.
These are the same traits that make someone successful off the court. They mirror the ups and downs of real life. So when I highlight an athlete, especially from Las Vegas, I’m not just telling their story—I’m honoring a journey that reflects something bigger. Something authentic, homegrown, and undeniably ours.
That’s what Unit 1 Hoop Source represents. It’s not just a platform—it’s a movement rooted in accepting your own, being yourself, and embracing the beauty of something that belongs to you. This city has talent, heart, and soul. And we’re building a platform that celebrates all three.
Let’s keep going. Up next: Zaon Collins of Fresno State.
🔍 Zaon Collins Scouting Report (2025–26 Season Outlook)
🏀 Player Profile
- Name: Zaon Collins
- Position: Point Guard
- Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170 lb
- Class: Junior (Redshirt Sophomore in 2024–25)
- School: Fresno State, Mountain West Conference
- Hometown: Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman HS → Salt Lake CC → Fresno State)fscollegian.com+15gobulldogs.com+15espn.com+15rotowire.com+2247sports.com+2sports-reference.com+2espn.com+15mwcconnection.com+15collegenetworth.com+15
📊 2024–25 Season Stats & Role
Played 29 games (28 starts), leading Fresno State in minutes (35.4), points (12.4), assists (4.6), rebounds (4.0), and steals (1.9) foxsports.com+6gobulldogs.com+6mwcconnection.com+6. Ranked 4th in Mountain West in steals and assists per game espn.com+2gobulldogs.com+2fscollegian.com+2.
Efficiency metrics:
• FG 43.8% | 3P 32.1% | FT ~70.8% bustingbrackets.com+6sports-reference.com+6mwcconnection.com+6
Note: Scored 27 vs. Washington State, 23 vs. Air Force, 22 & 8 ast in 2OT at San Jose State .
🔧 Skill Breakdown
🧠 Basketball IQ & Playmaking
- True floor general with strong court vision.
- Delivers 4.6 APG, showcasing excellent assist-to-turnover ratio (approx. 2 AST/TO)mwcconnection.com+15sports-reference.com+15bustingbrackets.com+15.
- Thrives in pick-and-roll and late-clock scenarios.
🛡️ Defense
- Averages 1.9 SPG; excels in on-ball pressure and anticipation.
- Lead defender with active hands and excellent lateral quicknesspennstat.247sports.com+15gobulldogs.com+15sofascore.com+15247sports.com+7mwcconnection.com+7rotowire.com+7.
🎯 Scoring & Shooting
- Mid-range pull-up specialist with reliable floaters.
- 32% 3PT shooting, showing clear upward trend over the season.
- Strong but undersized; finishes at the rim using body control.
🤲 Ball Handling
- Stable, low-turnover dribbler with moves to evade pressure.
- Comfortable running the offense even in full-court presses.
🧱 Areas for Growth
- Improve 3-point consistency to stretch defenses
- Add upper-body strength to finish through contact at the rim
- Reduce turnovers in late-game or high-pressure situations
- Vocal leadership—become a floor general who commands
🔮 Projection / Outlook
Collins enters the 2025–26 season as the anchor of Fresno State’s backcourt and a breakout candidate in the Mountain West. If he continues his progression and improves his perimeter shooting, he’ll be a name to watch for All-MWC honors and possibly pro attention, whether via G League or international opportunities.
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