Career to date
A McDonald's All-American. Coached at the prep level by his father. Squad went 101-1 and won two state titles in his four years there. Became the subject of an intense recruiting battle between his home-state Iowa Hawkeyes and the Jayhawks. Received a lot of flack from the locals when he committed to Kansas. Made an instant splash as a freshman in a highly competitive frontcourt (10.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg). Proved himself as one of the country's best post players in his sophomore year (14.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Then went on to compete for USA Basketball for the fifth time in his last four summers. As a junior, posted an impressive 15.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, and 2.2 bpg despite not logging starter minutes. Played for USA Basketball during the summer once again, this time as an alternate on the Dream Team squad that lost in the World Championships in Indianapolis. Only action was the four minutes he received in an exhibition game with China on Aug. 22, going 0-for-2 from the field.
Scouting Report
Highly advanced skill player ... Not an outstanding athlete nor is he all that strong, he relies largely on a refined post game to beat his defender ... Fundamentally sound ... Makes the game easy on himself by garnering a lot of close-range shots ... Good awareness to know where he is on the floor in relation to the basket ... Moves well off the ball to free himself for touches ... Tremendous maturity in his footwork ... Efficient in his movement ... Sets up his man beautifully in his back to the basket execution, using directional fakes to throw off his opponent ... Spins for finger-roll finishes ... Great little lefty hook ... Goes to his right or left shoulder on his fall away jumper ... Possesses sensational range as a shooter to complement his interior abilities ... Fundamentally sound rebounder, has good awareness and technique ... Contributes as a shot-blocker ... Needs to cut down on unnecessary fouls, especially as he is asked to play bigger minutes ... Adding consistency is a must.
Professional Outlook
Collison is a lock for the first round in the upcoming NBA Draft. There's no definitive answer as to whether he gets taken in the lottery or in the late teens of the draft. Scouts do not see Collison as a can't miss prospect because he lacks the athleticism that sure-fire lottery picks often possess.
Stat Stuffer
Had a career-high 28 points at Missouri as a junior. Had 26 points and 12 rebounds at Tulsa as a senior. Had 20 points in 23 minutes on 9-of-10 shooting vs. UNC-Asheville. Posted a career-high 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting at Iowa State. Two games later, tallied 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, to go along with 11 rebounds vs. Wyoming. Grabbed an incredible 23 boards, nine on the offensive end, to go along with 24 points vs. Texas. Finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks vs. Oklahoma State.