Former Wheeler High School guard and the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023 men’s basketball recruiting class, Isaiah Collier, has announced that he has declared for the NBA Draft per ESPN.
In his lone season as a freshman at the University of Southern California, Collier averaged a little over 16 points per game to go along with shooting 49% from the field this season for the Trojans. The 6-foot-5 point guard is an Atlanta-native and attended Wheeler High School where he became a three-time state champion with the Wildcats. During his senior season, Collier averaged close to 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds a game on his way to being named the top overall recruit in the class of 2023.
While starring on the court for Wheeler, Collier accumulated numerous accolades before he ever played a second of college basketball. The awards won range from Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year to co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game where he scored 25 points, leading both teams. Collier was also named MaxPreps Player of the Year and Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year, while also being selected to play for Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit.
In 2022, Collier was named MVP of both Stephen Curry’s camp as well as the Under Armor Next Elite 24 camp.
While the talent was there for the Trojans this season, having Collier and other high profile players such as fifth year guard Boogie Ellis and high profile recruit, the No. 19 overall recruit in the class of 2023, Bronny James, USC finished the season missing the NCAA Tournament and with a record of 15-18 with a 8-12 record in the conference.
After the USC men’s basketball season, Trojan head coach Andy Enfield accepted the SMU men’s basketball head coaching position. This move by Enfield led to USC hiring former Arkansas head basketball coach, Eric Musselman to lead the program. Even with the hiring of Musselman, both Collier and James have announced that they will not be returning to the Trojan men’s basketball program.
In mock drafts for the NBA Draft at the end of June, Collier is projected to be a first round pick and selected by a lottery team in this years draft.
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