The Impressive Career of Nick Collison

This is the memory that comes to mind.

Sitting in our living room as it neared midnight on March 27, 2003, my dad and I watched in awe as Nick Collison rebounded and subsequently scored everything in sight. Kansas was facing Duke in a Sweet 16 matchup of the No. 2 and 3 seeds in Anaheim, California. Sharing the court was J. J. Redick, Kirk Hinrich, Dahntay Jones, Chris Duhon, Keith Langford, and Aaron Miles, but it was all eyes on Nick Collison.

“This is insane,” 13-year-old me probably said as we tried to keep track of the rapid stat accumulation.

Collison finished the 69-65 win with 33 points—on an efficient 14-22 from the field—19 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. It was the midway…