Isaiah Collier: Breaking Down A Top 2024 NBA Draft Point Guard Prospect

To Isaiah Collier the phrase “Live like Khalil” has been the driving force behind his play since witnessing the sudden and tragic passing of his cousin Khalil Hardison in the summer of 2022. A driving force that brings out joy and the best in Collier in moments such as when he’s slashing and getting his teammates involved.
USC finished the 2023-2024 season with an overall record of 15 wins and 18 losses. However, Collier led the Trojans to a 12-4 record when he tallied his average of 4 assists or more. As one of the top NBA Draft prospects, Collier is currently projected as a lottery pick. He’s a prospect that will add the following to an NBA roster:
- Potential
- A big strong lead point guard
- Positional size
- Slashing
- Playmaking
Next, let’s take a look at 7 things that you will find on the scouting report for one of the top 2024 NBA Draft prospects.
7 Things You’ll Find On Isaiah Collier’s Scouting Report
#1. 75 Percent Of His Scoring Happens Inside Of The Three Point Line
Collier is a high usage player that scores efficiently. A player that scores at all three levels but operates primarily within the three point line. The majority of his offense comes from scoring at the basket, the mid range and from the foul line. Collier is a decent foul shooter but he can improve as he leaves points on the score board. He also has the ability to score from long range but this aspect of his game is still a work in progress. At this stage of his career it only account for less than 20% of his offensive production.
#2. Collier Is A Solid Pick & Roll Player
A strong pick & roll player that attacks around screens in both directions. Collier does a great job of using his big body to keep smaller guards on his back as he skillfully maneuvers his way through traffic, gets to the foul line and to the basket.
His vision and anticipationare solid so he sees the floor and reads the defense well. Collier find shooters, cutters and bigs at the basket after turning the corner and drawing defensive help. However, passing out of the pick & roll is also one of the areas in which he is turnover prone. His passes are often deflected or recklessly overthrown.
When Collier keeps the ball and draws a mismatch after a switch he’s good at taking advantage of bigs. Crossovers and behind the back change of directions facilitate penetration or setup midrange jumpers from the elbow, foul line and foul line extended areas.
#3. Shooting Is An Area Of Improvement

Part of the equation for Collier’s effectiveness in the pick & roll is his midrange game. In addition to getting to his spots Collier has the ability to knock down a mid range jump-shot from the foul line and its extended areas.
At times Collier’s setup can be a bit slow. Yet, he effectively gets his shots off the dribble with screens, without screens and dribble hand offs. He uses his upper body strength and shoulder bumps when pulling up to create separation on step backs and fade aways. However, Collier has room to improve and become more consistent with his jump shot from mid range and long distance.
In addition to taking shots off the dribble, Collier receives his share of opportunities to catch & shoot. The top of his shot release has a slight glitch. But his form and mechanics are fluid and smooth out when he’s stepping into his shot in the half court or transition.
His range extends out to NBA territory. But he shoots a low percentage from the three point line. So at this stage of his career anytime he knocks down a long range jump shot is a plus.
#4. Passing Is One Of The Strongest Parts Of His Game
Playing out of the pick & roll isn’t the only way Collier gets his teammates involved. His swing passes and ability to drive, draw and dish is a bucket gift wrapped for cutters, shooters and bigs at the basket.
Passing is one of the strongest parts of his game. Collier finds openings and often cuts through the defense with eye catching assists. He threads the needle with bounce and smooth no look passes. His passing and vision translates to transition as well.
#5. A Slashing Point Guard That’s Effective With Or Without Screens
In addition to attacking off the dribble in pick & roll action, Collier is also effective without screens. Off the face up, his sweep throughs are strong and his first step is fairly quick. He occasionally dances. Tempo and direction are changed with crossovers, hesitations and attacking between his legs.
He either beats his man baseline, into the paint or simply bullies his way to the basket with a full head of steam. At the same time Collier is turnover prone in this area of his game as well. He tends to dribble off his foot when faced with defensive pressure or help.
Even though he’s able to take his man off the dribble without screens Collier is more adept at attacking in the presence of a screen, including rejecting one. It’s also one of the reasons he’s so good in the pick & roll. There’s a sense of calmness in this area of his game as he zig zags around screens and splits help defenders.
Collier gets to foul line and into the paint. His footwork is ok. So he’s able to evade defenders blocking his path to the basket with spin moves and side steps. At the rim contact is absorbed, defenders are bumped back and fouls send him to the line. Although far from horrible, Collier is currently a below average free throw shooter by NBA standards.
As well as getting to the basket off the dribble, Collier can finish as an off ball cutter or when being found at the rim. In the half court Collier lives beneath the rim finishing with layups, acrobatic field goal attempts, reverse layups, floaters, runners, push shots etc. In transition his excellent foot speed allows him to get out ahead of the pack for easy scoring opportunities.
Collier can also finish above rim with strong athletic dunks and forces the defense to foul him to stop easy baskets. Tunnel vision is occasionally the downside when he attacks with reckless abandon on the break. A laser like focus on the rim causes him to miss open teammates from time to time.
#6. Collier’s Defense Is Trending In The Right Direction
During the early part of the season Isaiah Collier was labeled as a defender that lacked defensive awareness and effort. His true ability to defend was often masked by stretches of zone defense. Nonetheless, by the end of the season it was easy to see that Collier takes pride on the gritty end of the floor.
Outside of periodic moments of being a turnstile and casual attempts to contest shots at the basket as if trying to avoid fouling when not in foul trouble, Collier often did what was necessary for the good of his team’s defense without hesitation. At times taking on the responsibility of closing out and contesting open shooters for others. Yes, on occasion this put the defense as a whole at harm but his intentions were pure.
There’s potential within him to be a solid defensive point guard at the next level. He’s big, has a size advantage, he’s strong, he’s agile, he gets into passing lanes and turn defense into offense. Plus, while believing that his defense is underrated he also understands that it’s an area of improvement. One question Mr. Collier will have to answer is: will he do what good defenders do consistently?
#7. Must Focus On The Fundamentals Of Defensive Rebounding
Isaiah Collier is very capable of grabbing offensive boards and hunting down his own missed field goal attempts. But he’s far from a heavy weight on the offensive glass. He averaged under one offensive rebound per game this season.
On the defensive end Collier will rebound missed jumpers that come off the rim into his area and occasionally run down up for grab rebounds. Fundamentally there’s still a lot to be ingrained. He often stands around instead of boxing out more than a coach would like to see.
Profile: #1 USC Trojans
Height: 6’ 2.5” (without shoes)
Weight: 204.6 LBS
Wingspan: 6′ 4.75″
Standing Reach: 8′ 1.50″
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
DOB: 10/8/2004 (19 yrs old)
2023-24 Highlights
Collier: 2023-24 NCAA Season Stats Per Game
GP | MIN | PPG | USG% | FG% | FT% | 2P% | 3P% | RPG | AST | ST | BLK | TO | PF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | 30.0 | 15.2 | 29.7 | 49.0 | 67.3 | 54.3 | 33.8 | 2.9 | 4.3 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 3.3 | 2.4 |
Collier In The News
- REB, ASST, STL, BLK, 3PM. Isaiah Collier, 10.9, 4.2, 8.7, 0.7, 0.3, 0.8. Walker Kessler, 9.8, 9.9, 1.0, 0.6, 1.6, 0.0. Keyonte George, 13.6, 3.1, 4.7 …
- Jordan Clarkson had 21 and Kenyon's George poured 20 off the bench. John Collins had 17, Walker Kessler 16 and Isaiah Collier with 10 rounded up the …
- Substitution: Isaiah Collier in for Jordan Clarkson. Compartir en Twitter. 07:20. Markieff Morris makes …
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