Daimion Collins has the athleticism and versatility to do a lot for UK

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Daimion Collins. The Kentucky men’s basketball team beat the Dominican Republic National Select Team 108-56. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

After a freshman season where he didn’t meet the high expectations many had for him, Daimion Collins seemed like a potential candidate for the transfer portal.

However, not long after Kentucky’s stunning loss to Saint Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament first round, UK coach John Calipari raised the bar for Collins’ sophomore season.

“I think he will become one of the best players in the country (next season),” Calipari said. “The things he does, normal players can’t do.”

The coach said he was counting on the 6-10 Collins to be a “cornerstone” for the 2022-23 team even though he played more than 10 minutes in just one game after Dec. 17 last season. That was when he had 10 points and six rebounds in nine minutes in a key win at Alabama.

“I have the versatility to play inside and outside, block shots and rebounds,” Collins said.

He showed that versatility off during UK’s four exhibition games in the Bahamas that excited Kentucky fans about what he might do this season. He also explained during the summer that he never considered transferring — even with the departure of Jai Lucas, his main recruiter.

Collins worked to add weight and muscle so he could avoid getting pushed around and provide some inside help for Oscar Tshiebwe.

Assistant coaches Chin Coleman and Orlando Antigua agree that UK needs him to be a rim protector as well as a scorer/rebounder.

“He has to make sure he is challenging more shots,” Antigua said. “He spent the offseason doing three-a-days working on his shooting and ball handling. He has special gifts and we need him to take them all to another level.”

“You got to see some of that in the Bahamas but we have been seeing him work to do that since the season ended. He’s got the elite athleticism to do a lot of big things.”

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