John Calipari loves seeing Daimion Collins happy after difficult season

Daimion Collins has every excuse to not have his head in the game when it comes to basketball this year.

The 20-year-old’s father died unexpectedly right before his sophomore season was set to tip-off, and Collins has been coming off the bench of Kentucky throughout its up-and-down season. Despite all the hardships he’s gone through on and off the court, he still finds the strength to smile through it all.

“I love seeing him smile. Do you understand what he’s been through? His dad died,” Calipari said. “His dad was his best friend, would have been the best man at his wedding and in Lexington passed away. And then all of a sudden, he loses 16 pounds, now we’re paying other teams.”

Collins celebrated his 20th birthday, his father passing away and Kentucky had their first game of the season all in a 10-day period. Collins didn’t participate in the season opener back in Novemeber, 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 2.1 points and 2.5 per game with just over 10 minutes per game. Obviously, it’s hard to find playing time behing reigning Wooden Award winner Oscar Tshiebwe — but Collins is still able to make the most out of every time he’s on the court.

Collins, a former five-star recruit in the 2021 class per the On3 Consensus, hasn’t had the time to wow pro scouts and get him in and out of Lexington and into the NBA like five-star recruits in the past. Instead, Collins will likely be a four-year player that will contribute to Kentucky — or anywhere else if he chooses to transfer — more and more every season.

The potential of a Collins transfer isn’t out of the question, either. It would be understandable if he wants to be closer to his family after last November’s tragedy, or even if he simply wants a larger role at a smaller school. Plus Kentucky is adding one of the most stacked incoming freshman classes since Calipari took over the program in 2009. There might be even less time for him on the court next year.

Still, he’s been through the ringer mentally and physically all season long. He still comes out to play on a nightly basis with a smile on his face. In the end, that’s all that really matters.