Daimion Collins is bulking up while he waits for his next opportunity

Coming into the season, it was Daimion Collins, not fellow freshman TyTy Washington, who was perceived as the eventual lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. A few months later, those two have seen their stock go in vastly different directions. Washington continues to fly up mock drafts while Collins’ name is popping up on more 2023 draft boards than 2022.

But hindsight is always 20/20. Collins was viewed as a project before he ever stepped on Kentucky’s campus. He’s rail-thin and never lifted a weight in his life before coming to Lexington. So far, he hasn’t looked the part of a top 10 NBA pick. It’s always been the idea of what he could (and still can) turn into that had scouts foaming over his potential.

“He’s a McDonald’s All-American, he’s been the best player from the time he was 6 all the way through 18. So it’s hard, it’s extremely hard,” UK assistant coach Jai Lucas said on Monday of Collins’ lack of playing time this season. “But it’s something that he needs and will benefit him in his development throughout the rest of his career if basketball is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. This is something that he needed to go through and show he has the mental toughness to maybe not play in a three- or four-game stretch and then have an impact.”

This is what college is for: developing. And just because Collins isn’t developing at a one-and-done rate doesn’t mean he isn’t on the cusp of a breakout. The 6-foot-9, generously listed 200-pounder was the unforeseen star of UK’s impressive road win against Alabama over the weekend.

Collins posted 10 points and six rebounds, throwing down two lobs while swishing all six of his free-throw attempts. He was the difference-maker in the outcome.

"Daimion Collins was the difference maker."

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— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 6, 2022

It was his first time seeing real on-court action since Dec. 31 against High Point, but Collins already had an idea he would hear his name called. His head coach, John Calipari, was preparing to whip out the pogo stick as a secret weapon against a Crimson Tide squad susceptible to baseline lobs.

“We was getting ready for the game through the week and (Calipari) told me I have to stay ready this week because this might be my opportunity to be able to get in and show what I can do,” Collins told the media on Monday. “Because as we were going through (Alabama’s) gameplan, they collapse hard so the lob was open over the top. That was something he seen so he told me I had to stay ready for it.”

Admittedly, it can be tough to stay ready when you only averaged 4.5 minutes per outing during conference play coming into the Alabama matchup. Collins has still yet to clock double-digit minutes during an SEC game. At times, he’s looked outmatched by the opposition and every bit of a long-term project. But then he shows flashes of greatness as he did against ‘Bama and those old mock drafts don’t look too wrong.

“My whole mindset was to just stay ready for my opportunity, keep working, keep grinding every day,” Collins said. “And just like what happened Saturday, when my chance comes just be ready and play hard.”

It’s also helped that he has supportive teammates who are pushing for him to play well. Likewise, his parents understand this is a process and that remaining focused is the No. 1 priority.

“My parents played the biggest part, talking to them every night, stuff like that kept my head on straight,” Collins said of keeping his mind ready. “They just tell me, being a freshman there’s gonna be older kids playing over me and stuff like that. But I just gotta keep a good state of mind, stay in the gym, keep working. So when my time comes I just go out there and play hard and do what I did.”

But to reiterate, staying ready is arguably the most difficult part. Well, that and putting on weight. He told the media he’s on a diet that requires him to eat more than he’s ever had in his life. That, plus weight training and battling Oscar Tshiebwe in practice every day have forced his body into unfamiliar, yet beneficial, territory.

“I lift three to four times a week with Rob (Harris),” Collins added. “I’ve been on a meal plan eating more. We’re definitely doing stuff to put on weight.”

Kentucky’s longtime sports dietician, Monica Fowler, has Collins eating at least 5,000 calories per day right now as he tries to bulk up. He still gets to eat the food he’s always enjoyed, just a lot more of it.

Collins is embracing the process right now and the results finally paid off on the hardwood. While he might not see that time of playing time in every game down the stretch, him staying ready for his opportunity will be vitally important.