NCAA Basketball: Predicting 2021 top-40 G Zaon Collins commitment
By Ian Mumm
USC Trojans
The Southern Cal program has made a lot of noise this offseason landing a bunch of commitments. Andy Enfield was able to secure five players via transfer, in addition to sharpshooter Noah Baumann who is eligible this season and has already landed 3 commitments in the 2021 class. All additions come on the heels of landing 2020’s #3 overall player in center Evan Mobley to pair with his brother Isaiah.
The Trojans look ready to compete as a contender in the Pac-12 this season, but several players anchoring the 2020 team will not be with the program following this season. Evan Mobley will likely be a one-and-done type player for USC and transfers Chevez Goodwin and Tahj Eaddy will have exhausted their eligibility. The point guard position is already very thin next season and will remain that way going into 2021.
The addition of Collins would cast him immediately into the starting role with the program. Despite having strong bigs on the roster the last several seasons, the Trojans have had strong and athletic backcourts. The team has strong internal defenders for Collins to exert his will harassing ball-handlers, as well as wings capable of finishing at the rim.
His offensive style fits very well with what USC is looking to do on the floor: play inside out. Collins ability to get in the lane and dish, as well as score, will make the Trojans a much more effective and dangerous offense. The perimeter talent on this team, aside from Baumann, has yet to emerge and their potential is still unclear as a unit.
USC was his only official visit throughout the recruiting process and he is definitely high on joining the Trojans. However, Collins has made statements wanting to find the program that will surround him with the players that will make him better. That doesn’t seem to put Southern Cal in the best standing at the moment.