Before John Collins was a first-round NBA Draft pick, he was a soccer fan.
“I’m a huge soccer fan, I try to watch as much as I can of the leagues that are available in America. I’ve been a Chelsea supporter for a long time, so yeah a huge soccer fan.”
A Wake Forest alum, Collins was able to get a little taste of what Atlanta had to offer attending school just a few hours down the road. But when he was drafted by the Hawks, his life changed forever. Atlanta was now his home, and he quickly learned what made it so special.
“The city has welcomed me with open arms, so I’m thankful for that."
"It’s a city with a lot to do I found out. There’s never a time with nothing to do in Atlanta. It’s big for me to have a good life on and off the court."
The city embraced Collins right away, especially as he grew into a key contributor in the Hawks frontcourt. But he says the love doesn’t stop when he steps off the basketball court – and he appreciates that southern hospitality Atlanta’s famous for.
“Atlanta fans are unique in just how much pride they have, and the togetherness. At the Hawks we like to say we are true to Atlanta, just the camaraderie and togetherness that Atlanta fans share in every sport."
"I was walking around the Atlanta United game and fans are giving us so much love here, it only shows the connection all sports in Atlanta have with each other.”
Now Collins has settled into his new life in the capital of the south. With the beautiful game in his blood, Collins knew right away how we’d spend his time off the hardwood.
“I’ve been to a couple Atlanta United games. There’s a crazy amount of people in the building and it gets so loud! We were right by the fan section, which was so crazy."
"It’s really cool out there, I’m loving it and I’m definitely going to be a repeat offender at these games, because it’s some good soccer.”
Collins considers himself a 5-Stripes fan and says Leandro González Pirez’s play in the back line has especially caught his eye. And while his first love is basketball, he says a pro soccer team brings something new to the city.
“Just the atmosphere and the ability of these guys on the pitch gives it a foreign feel. Obviously soccer isn’t as big in the States historically as it is in other countries, but in that sense it brings a different atmosphere that fans can go into."
"Hopefully Atlanta can bring it back a little bit, because these games are really fun.”
With Atlanta United’s success on and off the pitch this season fresh on his mind, he says the club is on the right path – and he has all the confidence in the world in the team moving forward.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Whatever the club has been doing, keep doing it. If the team does that, it will be very successful for years to come.”
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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