Recruiting update on 5-star Isaiah Collier

Isaiah Collier was named the No. 2 player in On3’s 2023 class rankings during our last update. He is ranked as the top point guard in his class.

Collier had to leave the u18 USA training camp in May with an injured knee. This injury kept him out until August, when he came back to win the MVP of the Steph Curry Elite Guard Camp and the UAA Next Elite 24.

In July, On3 broke the news of Collier’s top four; Michigan, Southern California, UCLA, and Cincinnati.

Collier’s recruitment

Isaiah Collier has taken five official visits, including one to each of his final four. The other visit was to Alabama on November 6.

Of his final four, Collier first visited Cincinnati on February 4. He then visited Southern California on May 11, UCLA on May 14, and Michigan on July 26.

In Collier’s words

“I’m looking for a family program,” Collier told On3. “I want to go somewhere I can grow as a man and get an education too. I’ll be looking closely at the school’s system and how they run and play in the half-court.

“I’m going to look at the academics of each school; I want to finish school and get a degree and a master’s, hopefully. I’ll look closely at the system of each school. I want to go to a place that will let me play and give me the freedom to do me. The system, the love, the coaches. I’m looking for a brotherhood, really, a family.”

Thoughts and intel

Collier told On3 he planned to make a decision in September. However, Collier’s focus has recently shifted away from his recruitment. In late August, his cousin Khalil Hardison passed away.

The timing of this one is up in the air, but there are some thoughts. Southern California has been the long-time school thought to be in the lead. The freedom Andy Enfield gives guards and his style of play is really attractive. Collier also consistently speaks about the number of players Southern California puts into the league.

Cincinnati has been the sneaky team here. Always a team in the mix, and never a team anyone really talks about. Interestingly enough, this is the only program, when speaking with Collier, where he talks about the atmosphere. The game day environment, for him, really stood out, and the love of the fans Collier described as “crazy.” The entire program has done a great job letting Collier know he is THE top option, and that has kept the Bearcats right in the thick of things.

Collier went into his trip with the feel Michigan could be the fourth of the finalists. However, coming out of that official visit, the tides turned for the Wolverines. Juwan Howard’s style of play Collier describes as a “pro-style,” and the five-star point guard has paid close attention to Howard’s NBA ties.

At this point, UCLA has the feel they are fourth out of four, with the other three schools more in play. As of pressing ‘publish’ on this piece, Southern California has the feel of a leader with Cincinnati and then Michigan in the mix.

There are a couple of things to look for here. Collier’s Marietta (GA) Wheeler High and The Skills Factory travel ball teammate, four-star Arrinten Page. There has been talk of the pair teaming up for college. Right now, Page is a take for Southern California and Cincinnati, but not Michigan. Page has visited both Cincinnati and Southern California. He has also taken official visits to Indiana, Miami, and Missouri. Will the two end up playing together?

Also, the time frame of this could be interesting. The longer it goes, and if into the college basketball season, Michigan could continue to make a charge.

Collier’s scouting report

Collier has a very strong frame. Plays with great balance and is able to take a bump when attacking the basket. Surveys the floor well, head up with a great pace. Never gets rushed. Excellent passer in the half-court. Plays well out of the pick and roll, makes excellent reads and his passes are on target and on time. The jump shot is streaky at all levels. Puts a relentless attack on the paint and the basket. He has the quick-twitch and the toughness to be a good on-ball defender and quick hands. Collier elevates the play of those around him. He is vocal on the floor, calls his team in for huddles, and speaks up. The jump shot remains a question (he did shoot 44.8% on 29 EYBL attempts this summer), but his ability to run a team is advanced.