Upsides

• One of the best athletes in this class, he’s fast, strong, and has almost jump out of the gym hops

• Good ball handler, he is crafty and shifty, plus his physical tools have given him a clear advantage over almost anyone who has tried to guard him so far

• Good finisher around the rim, he can finish through contact and has good touch

• Great court vision, he almost sees stuff before it even happens and is great at finding an open man

• Solid midrange scorer, he has a decent jumper and is good at creating space for himself

• Great at scoring in transition

Downsides

• He’s been turnover prone with USC this year, that’s something he is going to need to clean up if he wants to reach his potential as a ball handler and playmaker

• Really inconsistent when it comes to executing on his passes, part of the reason he has had issues with turnovers

• Not very active off the ball offensively

• 3-point shot is not there yet

• His defense hasn’t been good

Conclusion

Isaiah Collier is a very fun prospect with loads of upside. He hasn’t been super consistent with USC this year, but he has had flashes of brilliance that give me a lot of hope for what he can be in the NBA. Collier is undoubtedly one of the best ball handlers and playmakers in this draft. You can look at the turnover numbers and be concerned about his playmaking (which is a valid concern), but nearly every time Collier is on the court he shows how much potential he has in that area. He draws so much attention because of how he can take over a game with his scoring, and he uses these opportunities to make brilliant passes to his teammates. He will have to get his turnover rate down if he wants to become a truly elite playmaker, but the potential is obviously there. That leads right into his scoring potential, which is sky high. Collier is on another level physically, and he is very good at using that along with his balk handing to get anything he wants on the court. While he may not have the same edge over his opponents physically as often in the NBA, Collier has so much skill as a scorer that can easily translate to the NBA. His 3-point shot is the biggest question mark for me right now, but I do think he can at least get to league average at some point. His mechanics are solid enough to give me that hope. Defense is going to be a big swing factor for Collier. He has displayed potential there because of his elite physical tools, but he isn’t quite there yet when it comes to skill as a defender. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a defender in the NBA. Overall though, Collier is a really talented basketball player with all the potential in the world. He is one of the few prospects in this draft who can end up being a franchise players in my opinion. His elite potential on offense and great physical tools give Collier all that he needs to be a superstar in the NBA.

Shades of: Baron Davis, Jaden Ivey, Corey Maggette

Isaiah Collier - USC (PG - HT: 6’3” - WING: 6’5” - WT: 200 - A: 18y)

- Young PG who is a walking paint touch
- Really incredible burst, strong driving through defenders and finishing through contact
- Stops on a dime to pull up from the midrange
- Not a good shooter from outside, teams will sag and clog the paint
- Not a good defender
- Turnover prone despite elite feel
- Lack of shooting, turnover prone, and limited defense is a tough combination of negatives for an NBA guard
- The kind of young PG who will be the worst advanced stats guy in the league for 2-3 years until he puts it together as he matures and learns
- I’m not sure any team needs that right now - maybe for a team to stash and play a lot of G League minutes
- Shades of Kyle Lowry, Eric Bledsoe
- Best fit: Utah, Chicago, Washington, San Antonio
- Worst fit: Detroit, Charlotte, Portland, Toronto

Poste(s) : PG

Âge : 19 ans

Taille : 1m96

Stats : 16.3pts, 2.9reb, 4.3ast, 1.5stl, 0.2blk

Adresse : 49%fg, 34%3pt, 67%ft

Meneur-bulldozer créatif mais brouillon, Collier ne compense pas encore ce pêcher mignon par un tir extérieur digne de ce nom. Sa mécanique de tir ne me semble d’ailleurs pas adaptée à ce qu’il puisse à l’avenir dégainer en pull-up avec constance... Mais il est encore très jeune et cela reste bien sûr perfectible. Beaucoup moins aérien que puissant, il pourrait devenir une sorte de Marcus Smart s’il s’avère que le rôle de star est finalement trop grand pour lui. Aura t-il alors la lucidité pour adapter son jeu en conséquence et devenir un super role-player si la concurrence interne l'y oblige ?

Overview: Isaiah Collier is a 6'5", 200-pound point guard from the USC Trojans who's already generating significant buzz as a potential top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His electrifying blend of offensive dynamism, leadership skills, and strong physical frame makes him a highly appealing prospect for teams seeking a floor general capable of running the show from day one. Strengths:

• Dynamic playmaker: Collier's greatest asset is undoubtedly his exceptional playmaking ability. He possesses a dazzling array of dribble moves, crafty passes, and a keen understanding of how to manipulate defenses. His vision allows him to find open teammates effortlessly, and his ability to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities for himself or others is truly special. 



• Confident scorer: Don't underestimate Collier's offensive prowess. He can take over games with his scoring explosiveness, driving to the rim with a potent blend of power and finesse, finishing through contact with impressive body control, and showcasing a reliable floater game. He's also developing a respectable three-point shot, making him a legitimate scoring threat from all three levels.

• Natural leader: Collier demonstrates a maturity and leadership beyond his years. He commands respect from his teammates with his on-court intelligence and vocal presence. He thrives in pressure situations and has the poise to lead his team to victory.

• Solid frame: Collier's sturdy build, broad shoulders, and strong core allow him to handle the physicality of the college game well. This translates to potential success in the NBA, where his power and physicality should help him navigate the tough battles in the paint and hold his own against stronger defenders. Weaknesses:

• Turnover prone: While a dazzling playmaker, Collier can sometimes over-dribble or force difficult passes, leading to turnovers. He needs to refine his decision-making and learn to balance creativity with poise to maximize his efficiency.

• Three-point consistency: As mentioned, Collier's three-pointer is a work in progress. While he can hit open shots and has shown flashes of range, his overall consistency and shot selection from deep need improvement.

• Defensive potential: While his physical attributes bode well for future defensive success, Collier still needs to refine his technique and footwork to become a truly impactful defender. He can struggle against quick guards on the perimeter and needs to develop his anticipation and help-side defense skills. Overall: Isaiah Collier is a unique talent with the potential to become a franchise-altering star in the NBA. His offensive repertoire, leadership qualities, and physical tools make him a highly coveted prospect. If he can improve his turnover rate, develop a more consistent three-pointer, and refine his defensive skills, he could blossom into a dominant floor general capable of leading a team to championship contention. Additional Notes:

• Collier is compared to a young Damian Lillard or Ja Morant by some scouts due to his playmaking ability and scoring prowess.

• He could be a perfect fit for a team seeking a dynamic lead guard to build their offense around.

• His leadership qualities and winning mentality are highly praised by coaches and teammates. Overall, Isaiah Collier is a player to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He has the talent and potential to become a special player in the league for many years to come.

Crowmell select

Collier deve um ano de merda em USC? Sem dúvidas, mas antes da temporada começar era cotado como top3 do draft, então vamos nos apegar aos pontos positivos.

Comparação: Ivey, Jamal Murray, Baron Davis

STRENGTHS:

• Is able to get to the paint at will; a very good finisher around the basket, making 61% of his shots at the rim

• His finishing around the rim is great due to his thicker frame absorbing contact, good hang time and foot work; shot 49% of his shots at the rim

• Another great trait that comes with his driving ability is his fantastic first step and initial burst; has a very secure and great dribble as well as good body control to create his own shot around the rim

• Displayed pull-up three point shooting potential off pick and rolls; favors doing a one left hand dribble into a shot and looks really comfortable doing so

• His passing ability is erratic but does a really good job of passing through the tightest of windows; his passing creativity is very noteworthy

• Very good at rotating on defense and keeping the shell in tact

WEAKNESSES:

• Shooting has been relatively mediocre for a majority of his career; only shot 33% from three last season and under 30% in his high school career, as well as being a 67% free throw shooter

• Even though I like his athletic traits, I would have liked to see more above the rim finishes and I would have liked to see more finishes with his off hand. Nitpicky but was worth mentioning

• Not a willing mid-range scorer and does not look very comfortable at all shooting in that area; might be because of his inconsistent shooting form

• His defensive effort is very inconsistent as well; does not utilize his great athleticism much on the defensive end

• His passing are very risky when he passes; too many tight window passes when there were easier passes to make

• Struggled with balancing his basic playmaking skills with his desire to score

Summary: Isaiah Collier has been one of the draft darlings on NBA Twitter, and there is good reason for that. A player's ability to get the rim and touch the paint at will is one of the most coveted offensive traits, especially when there is more to offer. He has solid playmaking instincts, and from a physical and athletic standpoint, he stands out at the point guard position. His shooting has been mediocre throughout his basketball career, and he needs to find a balance between scoring and facilitating because I do not see him as a two-guard at all. He should spend some time learning the role of a point guard by becoming the back up point off the bench and have him get his passing down. His slashing is his best trait, and that should translate to the next level, but in order to increase confidence in his jumper, a team will have to begin as a catch and shoot player one or two attempts a game. Effort and his overall scoring scoring ability needs to be refined, but is a player who has a top 5 ceiling and very high upside.

Player Comparison: Shades of Collin Sexton and Eric Bledsoe

Collier é definitivamente meu jogador favorito da classe. Assim como foi ano passado com o Cam Whitmore.

Sou apaixonado por jovens jogadores que já chegam na NBA com um físico pronto, ainda mais quando esse tem um first step matador e boa finalização proxima do aro.

Vejo o Collier como o Armador de maior potencial nessa classe, especialmente pelo seu QI de basquete enquanto playmaker, e pela sua habilidade de pontuar sob contato.

Chega cru na NBA e vai demorar pra ter um impacto vencedor, também por não ser um bom defensor, mas o tanto de potencial que tem pra explorar nele me faz deixa-lo no meu top-10.

Num mundo em que o Rockets desiste do Amen como armador e pensa nele já como um ala full time, acredito que o Collier seria uma escolha inteligente em caso de trade-down.