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.

Strengths:

Good Finisher

Athletic

Terrific Handles

Can Reliably Hit a Mid-Range

Weaknesses:

Turnover Prone

Sub-par 3 Point Shooting

Below Average Defense

Player Comparisons: Jaden Ivey

Isaiah Collier is the epitome of this draft class. He started off as a top guy, if not the top guy, and here he is outside of the top 10. Him, Buzelis, Holland, and Walter kind of had the same kind of disappointing season.

Collier, in my opinion, still has some potential. My biggest disappointment from Collier was his playmaking. To be fair to him, the team was not really set up for Collier to rack up assists. His 3PT shooting was also not where you would want it to be, but again in a dysfunctional team/offense, the numbers do get affected a bit. I do think he also lives in the paint a little more than I would like, but he is still very effective.

Defensively I think he's solid with some potential to defend the off guards. I don't think he'll be anything special defensively, but he can develop into a league average defender.

Ceiling: Prime Tony Parker Floor: Post New York Raymond Felton Comparison: 2022 Playoffs Jalen Brunson

Favorite Fits:

1. New Orleans Pelicans

2. San Antonio Spurs

3. Oklahoma City Thunder