Daimion Collins is on the move again

by: Drew Franklin04/04/25DrewFranklinKSR

daimion-collins-transfer — (Photos via Imagn Images)

Another former Kentucky Wildcat is in the transfer portal, seeking a third destination in college basketball. This time, the familiar name is Daimion Collins, who began his college career in Lexington as one of John Calipari’s three five-star freshmen in the 2021 recruiting haul. Collins played two seasons at Kentucky from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to LSU to be closer to home after his father’s tragic passing while he was at UK. Collins played another two seasons at LSU from 2023 to 2025 until entering the transfer portal on Friday.

Daimion Collins at LSU

Mar 4, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; LSU Tigers guard Jordan Sears (1) and forward Daimion Collins (10) react to a call made by a referee during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

At LSU, Collins appeared in only six games as a junior due to a shoulder injury suffered early in the season. He returned in 2024-25 to play in 30 games for the Tigers, including 22 starts, with averages of 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game.

Collins returned to Lexington to face his old team for Senior Night in Lexington in March, scoring only two points with five rebounds in his homecoming game. The Wildcats won 95-64.

In Collins’ other reunion game, he helped LSU beat John Calipari and Arkansas with four blocked shots, including the block that sealed the victory. Collins swatted his old teammate, Adou Thiero, at the rim to protect LSU’s lead with only four seconds on the clock.

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Collins at Kentucky

Feb 18, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Daimion Collins (4) walks off the court after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

In his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kentucky, Collins played in 52 games for the Wildcats, averaging 7.7 minutes per game as a reserve forward behind Oscar Tshiebwe. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds as a freshman; however, his second-year development stalled when his father, Ben Collins, died unexpectedly in his Lexington apartment in November 2022.

Collins took a break from the team to be with family back in Texas. Still grieving the loss, he returned to join the team, but life’s unexpected turn weighed on him throughout that 2022-23 season, which led to his exit from Kentucky for Baton Rouge for a fresh start closer to family.

Big Blue Nation has a soft spot for Daimion Collins for all that he went through as a Wildcat, so, hopefully he finds a beneficial spot for his career where he can fully maximize his potential as a former high school All-American. Good luck to him.