Another Team CP3 2028 with Palmetto State ties is Collins. Mason is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and played his 8th-grade season at Irmo High School before transferring out of state. At 6’7″, Collins not only has elite physical tools on the wing, but he is one of the most skilled scorers in his class. I watched him go for 20 points on 7-13 FG in their Wednesday win, where he displayed an ability to create shots off the dribble for himself and others while also efficiently knocking down jumpers and attacking closeouts on spot-up opportunities.

The game comes very easy to Collins, a well-built 6-foot-7 wing with a smooth and versatile offensive arsenal complete with a high basketball IQ. Collins impressed with his efficient shot-making from three-point and mid-range areas of the floor and his willingness to allow the game to come to him and not force bad shots. He shot just under 58 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and flashed rebounding and passing ability. Collins put up 19 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in Vegas.

Collins lived up to his reputation as this was my first extensive live look at him.  Broad shouldered wing that does a great job of getting to his spots rising up for crisp mid-range jumpers along with an easy release from beyond the arc.  Backed in for post scores with spins in the lane and had a nice high/low seal for a score.  Uses his strength and physicality to score along with displaying creative handles off the bounce.  Also got on the glass along with being a connective wing passer.  Bright future here as he had 19 points (7-13 FG), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Collins doesn’t have a flashy game but he’s extremely effective, productive and efficient and those qualities impact winning basketball. Collins knocked down shots off the catch, attacked the rim and finished with both hands and led his team in rebounds and assists on Wednesday. Being able to make an impact in a variety of ways is what makes Collins so intriguing and he’s continued to improve since the first time I saw him at the 15 U level. Another top national prospect, Collins is a name known across the country and has high major programs already in hot pursuit.

A teammate of Lusakueno with Team CP3 16 U, Collins is a big time wing athlete who plays above the rim, thrives in transition and is an efficient slasher to the rim. Collins has produced at a high level for Team CP3 both at the 15 U level and early in the 16 U season and is fresh off winning Gatorade POY from Delaware as just a Sophomore. It’s rare for a state like Delaware to have a top national talent like Collins playing in their state association and it’s good to see him dominate his local competition. Recent high major offers from Collins include Virginia and Villanova.

A prospect who I’ve gotten to see at two USA minicamps and on the EYBL circuit, Collins did what I’ve seen him do before to impact the game. One of the top athletes in the 2028 class, Collins can play above the rim in the open court, thrive in transition and played tough on-ball defense at the point of attack. I also saw some improved ball handling ability in spurts for Collins, showing the ability to make a secondary move with the ball in his hands. One of the top players on the wing in the 2028 class nationally, Collins continued to show why he’s ranked as a consensus top 12 prospect in the country.

The top prospect in the state and among the highest-ranked sophomores nationally, Collins had the team on his back for much of the game and simply refused to let the Hornets go down without a fight. Collins poured in 27 points and hauled in 12 rebounds while doing the bulk of the ballhandling and playmaking for Tatnall in the halfcourt, in the face of physical ball pressure from start to finish. He got better as the game went along, figuring out ways to use his size and strength to navigate to the cup and finish strong through contact. His will to win proved to be infectious as his team nearly came all the way back from a 20-point deficit to have Howard on the ropes in the fourth quarter. Collins still has steps to make as a perimeter shooter but his ability to impact a game across the board is truly rare for a prospect his age.

One of the top sophomores in the country and among the best overall prospects Delaware has seen in some time, Collins continued a strong start to his debut season in the First State, stuffing the stat sheet while scoring a seemingly effortless 23 points. Collins picked his spots like a seasoned pro, showing his three-level scoring ability in spurts both in the halfcourt and transition, but also using his size, intellect, and budding on-ball skill to set teammates up for easy looks all over the floor. He played an active and high-IQ two-way floor game, constantly directing traffic both with and without the ball in his hands. His final stat line would include 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 emphatic, tone-setting  blocks in the early going. Just how high his ceiling is will hinge in part on his growth as a jump shooter, but it’s readily apparent already why Collins has the attention of a long list of high-major programs.

New to Delaware, Collins has earned every accolade to date because he’s technically refined and he constantly makes the right play. Collins is particularly skilled creating for himself at the second level and making the baseline skip or finding a cutter when he draws two. Given his experience playing with other elite players, I look forward to seeing how he performs outside of structure and when his team’s at a talent disadvantage.

Few players in the 2028 class are as athletic as Collins is in the open court. Able to play above the rim with ease, Collins is almost impossible to stop when he gets a head of steam going to the basket and a free launch area to rise up at the rim. I was also impressed with Collins ability to pass out of double teams in the post and shoot over smaller defenders. Collins will be a national name to watch in the 2028 class.