South Carolina basketball recruiting target, Columbia native, debuts in top 10 of Rivals rankings

This week, Rivals released its initial rankings for the class of 2028. One South Carolina basketball recruiting target, wing Mason Collins, debuted inside the top 10.

Collins, who transferred to Tatnall School this offseason, is a native of the Columbia area. His father, Mardy Collins, was a first-round pick of the New York Knicks in the same draft in which the franchise selected former Gamecock Renaldo Balkman No. 20 overall. His mother, Arianna Moore, works on South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley’s staff. Staley is Collins’ godmother.

Those connections put the Gamecocks on Collins early, and head coach Lamont Paris offered him a scholarship this spring. Paris’ outreach marked Collins’ first D1 offer. A short time later, he made the roster for Team USA’s U16 squad and played in the FIBA AmeriCup.

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The recruiting industry primarily views Collins as a small forward, and he spends most of his time operating on the wing. However, he can play either guard spot, too, including point guard if needed.

At 6-6 with long arms, Collins has the ability to smother smaller perimeter players while having enough length to play against bigger wings and forwards. He is a developing athlete with good ball skills, making him a matchup nightmare.

Ranked at No. 10 in the first Rivals rankings for 2028, Collins is also No. 3 nationally among small forwards and is listed at No. 1 in North Carolina (he spent last year at Christ School in Asheville). When his profile updates to reflect his transfer to Tatnall, he will be the No. 1 player in Delaware.

The Rivals Industry Ranking is even higher on Collins. He is No. 7 overall in the composite and No. 2 among small forwards.

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