In a surprising move, former University of Kentucky (UK) forward Daimion Collins has announced his commitment to Louisiana State University (LSU) after entering the transfer portal on April 21. Collins joins a growing list of players who have decided to leave the UK program following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, including Sahvir Wheeler (transferred to Washington), CJ Fredrick (transferred to Cincinnati), and Lance Ware (transferred to Villanova).
LSU’s basketball program is led by second-year head coach Matt McMahon, previously associated with Murray State. The addition of Collins to the Tigers’ roster brings considerable talent and potential. As a former McDonald’s All-American and highly regarded 5-star prospect, Collins was expected to have a breakout sophomore season. During UK’s four-game trip to the Bahamas in August, he showcased his abilities by averaging impressive statistics of 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting over 60% from the field in just 20.5 minutes of play.
However, tragedy struck when Collins unexpectedly lost his father, Ben, on November 1 at the age of 43. The elder Collins had recently sold his trucking business in Atlanta, Texas, and acquired an apartment in Lexington to be closer to his son and family. Devastatingly, he passed away alone in the apartment after a telephone call with his wife, leaving behind a grieving family and a shattered young athlete.
The loss had a profound impact on Collins both emotionally and physically. Already possessing a slender build, he endured a weight loss of 17 pounds and struggled throughout the season, averaging only 1.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in limited playing time of 7.9 minutes per game. This was a significant drop from his freshman year, where he averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game.
Recognizing the immense challenges Collins faced, UK head coach John Calipari expressed his sympathy and support, emphasizing Collins’ resilience and potential for a brighter future. Calipari acknowledged the young player’s exceptional talent and character, acknowledging the difficult circumstances he had endured. Despite the setbacks, Collins was named a Naismith Third Team All-American, as well as earning recognition as the Max Preps and Gatorade Texas Player of the Year. In his senior year at Atlanta High School, Collins displayed his dominance by averaging an impressive 35.2 points, 14.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 6.2 blocks per game.
During the 2021 recruiting cycle, Collins ranked as the No. 16 overall prospect and the No. 4 power forward according to the 247Sports Composite. He ultimately chose the UK Wildcats over offers from prestigious programs such as Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats’ roster for the upcoming season appears thin, with only returning players Adou Thiero and Ugonna Onyenso, who had limited playing time as freshmen, contributing an average of 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. However, the team will be bolstered by a highly touted recruiting class, with three top-10, four top-15, and five top-40 prospects in the 2023 class. According to the 247Sports Composite, this recruiting class ranks as the second-highest in Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky, providing hope for a strong future.
As Kentucky awaits final decisions from Chris Livingston, Antonio Reeves, and Oscar Tshiebwe regarding their NBA Draft prospects, fans and analysts eagerly anticipate the possible returns of these players, which would further solidify the Wildcats’ roster for the upcoming season.
