Daimion Collins using basketball as his happy place after difficult time

Since his sophomore year at UK began, Daimion Collins has been giving it his all every time he steps on the floor for Kentucky. After all, being on the basketball court is where he is the happiest.

Collins celebrated his 20th birthday, his father passed away and Kentucky had their first game of the season all in a 10-day period back in late October and early November. Collins wouldn’t participate in Kentucky’s season opener, as he rightfully took some time and flew back to Atlanta, Texas to be with his family. 

He returned a few games later and has spent the season averaging 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game with just over 10 minutes per game. He’s making the most of every minute.

“With everything that has been going on, basketball has been my happy place,” Collins said after losing to Arkansas Tuesday. “It’s something that takes my mind off of things that are going on. It wasn’t hard coming back to basketball.”

Collins had the best start to a game all season during the 88-73 loss to the Razorbacks at home. He had seven points in six minutes during the first half, including a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper to make it a one-point game at halftime.

Calipari would only play Collins two minutes in the second half in hopes of getting Oscar Tshiebwe going, but knowing Collins can be relied upon to stand in for Tshiebwe at any moment is invaluable to Kentucky.

UK head coach John Calipari said Collins lost 16 pounds during the first couple of weeks of the season due to the mental distress of losing his father. He’s since gained it back and with it, his confidence — which is more than apparent from his strong showing against Arkansas on an otherwise dreadful night for the Wildcats.

Now, Collins and Kentucky will turn their attention toward Saturday afternoon’s road game against Georgia. UK will be looking for the series sweep after the Wildcats defeated the Bulldogs by double-digits when they played in Lexington earlier this season.