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UNLV Basketball: Rebels score on recruiting trail with top-50 PG Zaon Collins

By Tristan Freeman

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach T.J. Otzelberger of the UNLV Runnin Rebels directs his team during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach T.J. Otzelberger of the UNLV Runnin Rebels directs his team during the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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UNLV Basketball was able to pull off the commitment of highly-touted Zaon Collins. He helps the Rebels continue the rebuild back up the Mountain West ladder.

When top-50 overall class of 2021 prospect Zaon Collins announced a list of four contenders for his services nearly two months ago, it was UNLV Basketball fighting a trio of Pac-12 programs (Arizona State, USC, and Arizona). Usually, the mid-major among the group would be at a decided disadvantage in the recruiting battle, but the Rebels always seemed to be in a good position.

A big part of it had to do with Collins being from Las Vegas himself, playing at high school powerhouse Bishop Gorman. He had a strong relationship with the coaching staff and a chance at immediate playing time and potential stardom in the Mountain West. For the Rebels, keeping a local prospect is a must if they have any hopes of growing as a program and Las Vegas is one of the top recruiting grounds out west.

What UNLV is getting from Collins is a 6’1 point guard who can score in a variety of ways. Whether it’s shooting or getting to the rim, he can break down power conference defenses and should wreak havoc during his time in the Mountain West. Known as a speedy athlete who still plays under control, he’ll work well in the offensive system of head coach TJ Otzelberger.

Coming off a strong second half of the year where the Rebels finished 2nd in the Mountain West standings, the hope is that South Dakota State sit-out transfer David Jenkins Jr. (17.8 ppg in two seasons) can replace the production of Amauri Hardy, who transferred this offseason to Oregon.

He and returning leading scorer Bryce Hamilton (16.0 ppg) will lead next season’s team but if both returns for another year, they along with Collins would form one of the best backcourts not only in the Mountain West, but on the west coast overall. They would be a frontrunner to win the league and have its best chance to make it back to the NCAA Tournament since 2013.

Collins joining does make it interesting for fellow class of 2021 commit Keshon Gilbert, who is also a point guard and ranked in the top-200 overall. As well as Iowa State guard transfer Caleb Grill, there might not be enough minutes to make everyone happy in the future. But considering that Coach Otzelberger adding more freshmen than scholarships were allowed as a point of saying that players need to compete for their roster spots, I doubt that it’ll be a major issue.

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San Diego State showed how important having a great guard is with Malachi Flynn coming over from Washington State and propelling them to a historically good season. Those expectations may be too much for Collins out the gate but don’t be surprised if he contends for a Mountain West Player of the Year title himself in a few years.