Crystal Ball – Collins and UK

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,411
11,864
113
Travis Branham thinks a top 10 prospect – 6'8, 200# PF, Christian Collins, is a Cat. Logged that crystal ball pick today right before 2:00 PM. TB is 93.25% accurate all-time, so take that for what it's worth.

Lots of smoke from Trilly, KSR, and now 247 that UK is separating from the pack and a decision is coming "soon."

The kid's good. Hope we see him in UK blue next year.

I'd post a video, but apparently kids don't make highlight tapes anymore. Couldn't find a good one to share.
 
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FLBBNFAN

Senior
Mar 25, 2025
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Travis Branham thinks a top 10 prospect – 6'8, 200# PF, Christian Collins, is a Cat. Logged that crystal ball pick today right before 2:00 PM. TB is 93.25% accurate all-time, so take that for what it's worth.

Lots of smoke from Trilly, KSR, and now 247 that UK is separating from the pack and a decision is coming "soon."

The kid's good. Hope we see him in UK blue next year.

I'd post a video, but apparently kids don't make highlight tapes anymore. Couldn't find a good one to share.
He would be a great addition for next year's team. Seems to have the right attitude and character traits that Pope covets.
 

Pensacola_Cat

Senior
Sep 6, 2025
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Keep hearing this guy can’t score. I have no idea but that doesn’t sound promising. It’s not like he’s a big physical guy. What’s he supposed to be good at besides being an athlete?
 
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Dec 3, 2024
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High school stats mean nothing

Dillinghan was atrociously bad in efficiency in high school games, but he finally was 40%+ 3pt shooter in Kentucky.

Collins is the type of player that will greatly improve efficiency in a more disciplined system
He's the exact kind of player Pope needs. Look at the teams he has put together in his first two years, with scoring and passing. The one thing we haven't had much of is a superb athletic wing with a ton of potential.
 

chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
3,285
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He's the exact kind of player Pope needs. Look at the teams he has put together in his first two years, with scoring and passing. The one thing we haven't had much of is a superb athletic wing with a ton of potential.
I always want to see how Mark Pope could coach with a team as athletic as Calipari team, the upside should be insane

Collins is superb athletic, more athletic than anyone on last and current roster except maybe JQ.
 

WildcatNC

Heisman
Sep 20, 2004
9,478
17,458
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I don't think his shot looks broken. Nor does he seem to have a bad touch around the basket. Likely he can be coached to a much better offensive game. Not convinced he’ll be one and done either.

Anyone seen him a lot? How elite is this kid really?
 
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BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
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Now that’s interesting. Collins and Stokes from the high school fill the rest out with transfers. I think two or three top freshman every year mixed with top transfers is the way to go.

I love having a couple highly rated freshman coming off the bench this year. Cal would have all the pressure on them but now they are kind of like a plug in peice where they don’t have to be the driving force of the team.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,831
76,125
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Now that’s interesting. Collins and Stokes from the high school fill the rest out with transfers. I think two or three top freshman every year mixed with top transfers is the way to go.

I love having a couple highly rated freshman coming off the bench this year. Cal would have all the pressure on them but now they are kind of like a plug in peice where they don’t have to be the driving force of the team.
Me as well.2-3 top 25 freshman, maybe 1-2 hang around 2 years or so. You build some great rosters. Some Labaron Philon types. Almost too good for college to not go to the draft, but not quite ready for pro ball.
 

chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
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Me as well.2-3 top 25 freshman, maybe 1-2 hang around 2 years or so. You build some great rosters. Some Labaron Philon types. Almost too good for college to not go to the draft, but not quite ready for pro ball.
Hope Jasper return in second year

I am sure Philon benefits from returning school, he now will have legit chance to be lottery pick
 

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
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I just want the first big fish to commit. After that I won’t worry about recruiting anymore until portal time. Just give me the first big one (hoping for Stokes) and I’ll have no problem letting the rest fall into place.
 

Cat_Man_Blue

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2003
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Now that’s interesting. Collins and Stokes from the high school fill the rest out with transfers. I think two or three top freshman every year mixed with top transfers is the way to go.

I love having a couple highly rated freshman coming off the bench this year. Cal would have all the pressure on them but now they are kind of like a plug in peice where they don’t have to be the driving force of the team.
Spot on. This is why so many of Cal's teams flamed out in the tournament. There was just too much pressure on players that hadn't experienced the kind of pressure that a team faces in in a one loss elimination tournament.
 

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,411
11,864
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Why can't UK wind up with both? They play different positions. Do they not like each other?
My favorite thing about the Stokes recruitment has been everyone and their brother saying that other players won't commit to play for whomever gets the kid even if they're completely different positions. Makes no sense unless every recruit just hates Stokes' guts.
 
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My favorite thing about the Stokes recruitment has been everyone and their brother saying that other players won't commit to play for whomever gets the kid even if they're completely different positions. Makes no sense unless every recruit just hates Stokes' guts.
And just say he chooses Kansas or Oregon. Is Kinney going to decommit because he doesn't want to play with Stokes (no, he actually said he wants to play with him). Is Ariza going to decommit from Oregon if Stokes goes there? I mean they play the same position... I think only guys who want to be THE ONLY DUDE on a roster would be the ones to take issue with playing with Stokes. And to me, Collins certainly isn't a one man show. Holt is a little more likely to not want to share the spotlight but he's going to be walking into a loaded wing group if he chooses Bama with even more 6'5" 6'6" guys set to commit there soon.
 
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