Kentucky in Hot Pursuit of 6-Foot-8 Five-Star Recruit from 2026 Class

This week, his recruitment reached another level when University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope personally made the trip to the West Coast to watch Collins in action. Pope came away impressed and wasted no time in offering him a scholarship. Collins took to social media shortly after the visit, announcing the offer and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to potentially join one of the sport’s most storied programs.

Interestingly, Collins wasn’t the only player Pope checked in on during the visit. Tajh Ariza, Collins’ teammate and fellow five-star recruit, was also evaluated. Kentucky had already extended an offer to Ariza earlier in the year, and Pope used this visit to strengthen ties with both prospects. On the same day, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer also met with Collins and presented an offer — intensifying the race for one of high school basketball’s hottest names.

Several other powerhouse programs are also actively pursuing Collins, including Alabama, Arizona, UCLA, USC, Cal, Kansas State, and Oregon. Each school sees him as a potential game-changer capable of leading a top-tier college program.

In AAU play, Collins has continued to elevate his game with Team Why Not on the Nike EYBL circuit. He’s averaging 15.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 44.2% from the field and 88.9% from the free-throw line — impressive numbers that match his high recruiting stock.

As the 2026 cycle unfolds, Collins is quickly becoming a central figure in the national conversation — and Kentucky’s entry into the mix only heightens the stakes.