"More skilled than I anticipated." LSU excited for what Daimion Collins can bring

There should be no ill will towards Daimion Collins from the Big Blue Nation. Although his time at Kentucky didn’t work out the way many had hoped, he left on good terms after two seasons in Lexington.

After entering the transfer portal in late April, Collins ended up with the LSU Tigers and head coach Matt McMahon a little over a month later. Collins heads to Baton Rouge with the hope of playing more than he did while at Kentucky, when he averaged just 7.7 minutes per game during his two years as a Wildcat. After all, Collins is a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American.

But it was never about his lack of potential — he’s got plenty of that. It was always about putting it all together at the same time and expressing the confidence that it appeared he lacked at times while on the hardwood. With LSU, which is coming off a 14-19 record in 2022-23 during McMahon’s first season in charge, he should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his true abilities.

Meet the Newcomer: 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬@CollinsDaimion | #BootUp pic.twitter.com/sTsN12qxAQ

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) August 22, 2023

“I love Daimion Collins,” McMahon said during SEC Media Days earlier this week. “You’re talking about a guy, McDonald’s All-American, top 20 player in the country coming out. At Kentucky, very well-coached there by (John Calipari). Played behind a guy who was pretty good in Oscar (Tshiebwe).

“I think for Daimion, it’s about playing with great confidence. I think he learned a lot in his two years there. But you’re talking about someone just loaded with talent. 6’9.5″, 7’5″ wingspan, 40-plus vertical, great young man. Really wants to be coached and wants to be good.”

There was a portion of Kentucky fans that were desperate to see Collins fed more minutes while he was at UK. For whatever reason, it just never played out that way. After going through the tragedy of suddenly losing his father near the start of his second college season, Collins was understandably ready for a change of scenery.

LSU is eager to see what he can show, too. McMahon has retooled his roster through the portal, although he did add a handful of big men along with Collins. Still, the Tigers are excited to see what they have in the 6-foot-9 pogo stick with insane length. He’ll at least get the chance to prove he’s worth a major role.

“A little bit more skilled than I anticipated coming in,” McMahon said of Collins. “He has really nice touch around the basket. Again, needs the minutes. Hasn’t played a whole lot these last two years. But I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead for him.”

Kentucky fans will have the chance to see just how much Collins has improved compared to his time in Lexington when the Wildcats head to the Pete Maravich Center to face LSU on Feb. 21.