USC point guard Isaiah Collier, once projected as a top-5 pick before the NCAA season, has decided to enter the NBA Draft according to his agent who confirmed the news to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Still considered a likely lottery pick, Collier’s decision comes at a time of change for the Trojans with coach Andy Enfield moving on to SMU and Bronny James also leaving the team.
Collier, a one-and-done player, had a strong season averaging 16.3 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 33.8% from 3. Standing at 6’5″ with an NBA-ready body, Collier’s game is centered around attacking and driving to the basket. Despite early turnover issues and a hand injury, his athleticism and playmaking skills have scouts intrigued.
While there were concerns about Collier’s defense last season, his ability to penetrate the paint and create opportunities for his teammates is an attractive aspect of his game. Viewed as a potential steal in the draft, Collier’s size and explosiveness give him a natural advantage on the court.
Projections currently place Collier in the 10-15 range in the draft, but interviews and workouts could impact his draft position. With the right development and coaching, Collier has the potential to become a valuable NBA player given his unique skill set and athleticism.
