Fort Myers, FL
Christian Collins has officially reopened his recruitment, confirming the news with Make5 Media at the City of Palms Classic. The development comes after Kentucky and Collins were unable to agree on NIL terms.
The 6-foot-8 forward from St. John Bosco (CA) was down to three schools; USC, UCLA and Kentucky but has now expanded his list adding Illinois and Vanderbilt with additional programs showing interest.“Yeah, I’m definitely real with my recruitment, but that’s pretty much it,” Collins told Make5. “Illinois just offered me, and some other schools have been reaching out.”
Collins emphasized patience as a key factor in his decision-making process, pointing to his long-term goal of reaching the NBA. “I want to go to the NBA and be one of those guys,” Collins said. “That’s why I didn’t sign early. I don’t want to rush anything. It’s always a process.”
The California native spoke highly of his relationships with both USC and UCLA, two programs that have remained consistent throughout his recruitment. USC, in particular, holds a special place. “I’ve known USC for a really long time,” Collins explained. “They were actually my first offer, if I’m not mistaken.”He also praised UCLA head coach Mick Cronin for his honesty and program culture. “I love Coach Cronin. He’s really honest and straightforward,” Collins said. “They have a good program, and he wants the best for his players.”
Collins opened up about the challenges of today’s recruiting environment, especially balancing communication, competition, and personal development. “I’m really trying to take it slow and figure it out,” he said. “There’s pressure with texts, responding to coaches, playing games, practicing, working out it’s a lot. You’ve got to watch games and dissect everything because coaches will sometimes tell you what you want to hear. No rush at all.”