First Love’s Collins picks USF
When Orlando Antigua was fired at the University of South Florida in January, the school not only lost a head coach but apparently a recruit, David Collins of Washington’s First Love Academy.
But Wednesday afternoon, Collins was at a table during a news conference, unzipping his jacket and revealing a USF shirt to the delight of friends, family and head coach Kayree Wilson. He then signed his letter of intent to join the Bulls.
Collins decided to keep USF in the mix when the school’s new head coach, Brian Gregory, reignited the recruiting process.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go,” said Collins, a 6-4, 210-pounder who can play the point or shooting guard. “I was focused on other schools. But their new coach came to see me and cleared some things up and they recruited me hard.”
Collins chose South Florida over Akron and Duquesne, where he was recruited by Keith Dambrot at both schools. Dambrot pursued Collins while at Akron, then again at Duquesne, where he took the job left open by the firing of Jim Ferry.
“Coach Dambrot and I have a strong relationship,” said Collins.
South Florida plays in the 11-team American Athletic Conference and finished with a 7-23 record last season, 1-17 in the AAC.
Collins orginally attended Youngstown Ursuline High School before transferring to First Love and was attracted to Akron.
“I’m not sure he was that excited about Duquesne,” said Wilson. “He enjoyed Duquesne and feels Coach Dambrot can put Duquesne on the right track.”
Collins averaged 19 points, six rebounds and five assists last season. Wilson said South Florida is getting a hard working, talented basketball player, who raised his stock from a Division II talent when he arrived at First Love Academy a year ago.
“He understands the process of the game,” Wilson said. “He understands when to shoot and when to pass. He is a special talent.”
Wilson said he has other players considering Division I offers, including 6-8 forward Prince Oduro, 6-3 senior guard Christian Bentley. Senior forward Samson George has committed to Iona.