Prospect Watch: Yuri Collins (2019)
Class of 2019 point guard Yuri Collins of St. Mary’s is somewhat of a throwback player for a young man who plays his position.
In an era where point guards are looked upon to score first and ask questions later, the 5’11” Collins excels as a pass-first point guard who loves to distribute the ball and set up his teammates and make them look good. He averaged nearly seven assists a game as a sophomore and he already owns St. Mary’s school record for assists after only two seasons.
“I like passing the ball,” Collins said. “I’m a pass-first point guard because it’s something I like to do.”
Collins is one of the best in the state at running an offense and passing the ball and he was rewarded with a strong of Division I scholarship offers during the month of June. In a span of less than a week, Collins received offers from Saint Louis University, SIU-Edwardsville and Missouri.
“It’s been big being able to get these offers because it’s going to open it up for other schools to come and look at me,” he said. “All I have to do is be me, express myself on the court and do what I have to do.”
During the summer, Collins has been doing an excellent job as the floor leader for the Brad Beal Elite 16U team, which qualified for the Nike Peach Jam, which begins today in Augusta, GA.
“It has been great,” he said. “I’ve been growing as a player and the coaches have been pushing me to my limits. I’ve been working hard every day to get better.”
One part of his game that Collins has been working on is increasing his scoring output. Despite his unselfish nature, he is being encouraged to look for his shot a little more. As a sophomore, he averaged 10 points a game and made 32 3-pointers in helping St. Mary’s to a 25-4 record and a Class 4 district title.
“I’ve been trying to score a little more,” he said. “Sometimes, my coaches think I’m a little too unselfish and try to overpass. I know I have to be a little more aggressive in going to the rim and scoring more.”
Collins will return for his junior season to lead a loaded veteran St. Mary’s team that will be one of the favorites in Class 4 in 2018.