Oklahoma City Thunder Spotlight: Nick Collison

Nick Collison, C/PF, is in his fourth year in the NBA. In college was the Big XII players of the year in 2003, while playing for the Kansas Jayhawks. Collison was selected 14th overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 2003 draft.

Nick Collison has been one of the Thunder's most versatile and consistent players this season. He has been moved from PF to C all season, adjusting to whichever position Oklahoma City needed him to play.

Collison has averaged 8.1 PPG and 6.9 RPG this season and through out his NBA career. Last season, Collison was averaging almost a double-double but his numbers fell off this year due to injury and the acquisition of Nenad Krstic.

This season Collison has played with a broken fingers, chipped bones, and other assorted injuries and he has never complained. He provides a solid veteran presence on an incredibly young Thunder team. While he will never be the most explosive player on the floor, it is almost a guarantee he will be working the hardest, and that is something that Oklahoma City needs.

The 2009-10 season will probably see Collison move permanently to either backup Center or backup PF. He is too valuable of a presence for the Thunder's management to try to move him this offseason.

As seen this season, Collison can come off the bench and give Oklahoma City a solid rebounding presence that it might be missing while its starters are on the floor. If this season is any indication, Nick Collison will continue to bring the Thunder a consistent and mature presence to a developing Oklahoma City team.

*Stats from NBA.com, and hoopshype.com