Just give Daimion Collins a little more time to shine

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Daimion Collins, right, battled Lance Ware in the Blue-White Game Friday. (UK Athletics Photo)

Texas and Oklahoma were the favored frontrunners for Daimion Collins’ recruitment until the relocation of Jai Lucas to the staff of the University of Kentucky. Collins, a native of Atlanta ,Texas, ultimately made the decision to join Lucas at UK because of his relationship and the family atmosphere of the program.

Collins, a McDonald’- All American, MaxPreps Texas High School Basketball Player 2020-2021, and rated No. 10 player overall nationally in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports arrived on campus in June with high expectations from not only the coaching staff but by the fan base. The consensus was he would spend one year in Lexington working in the weight room and court and would join the likes of other Kentucky “bigs” and enter the 2022 NBA draft.

Collins has a wingspan of 7 foot 3 (or 4 or 5) depending upon which publication you reference and an unlimited ceiling of growth. Listed at 6-9, 220 pounds he was ranked as the number one shot blocker in his class and while he can make his presence known around the basket, his athleticism allows him to easily guard the perimeter.

NBA Draft Room – Sep. 18th “Collins is an absolute freak of an athlete with great length and leaping ability. He’s very thin in the lower body and will have to fill out his frame but has big-time potential.

Jeremy Woo-SI-September 2nd “He is a remarkable athlete, can handle the ball functionally and shoot from the perimeter, and has the ability to protect the rim at a high level.”

Collins should be a highlight reel on the defensive end.   Shot blocking, his length, and quickness paired with his ability and instincts could be a clip on SportsCenter all season.

The “talking heads” during preseason haven’t voiced much praise for Collins. Over the airwaves we hear, “He is behind, he is not where we thought he would be and Hopkins is bypassing him.”

But Bryce Hopkins added during media days that he has never seen a 6-9 player who can do the things Collins can as a freshman on the court.

The annual Blue-White Game is never a measurement of a team but can be utilized as a measurement of an individual.

Oscar Tshiebwe and Collins began the game Friday night on the same team so it was hard to determine how Collins would be in the post against a big. As he becomes more confident his length will give opposing teams a problem both in the post and on the perimeter.

His shot-blocking skills weren’t showcased, perhaps that also will appear in time.

The ceiling is high for Collins, who had 22 points in the game and made two 3-pointers. As the season progresses, so will his skills. He just needs time.

It will be interesting to look back at this game at the end of the season and compare his growth as a player. A few more months with this coaching staff, a few more months in the weight room, and some good old country cooking will do wonders for this guy from Texas.

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