NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the final 4 teams for 5-star PG Isaiah Collier

Five-star NCAA Basketball prospect Isaiah Collier is down to four options. Which of them makes the most sense for the point guard?

While DJ Wagner may be viewed as the best overall guard prospect in the 2023 NCAA Basketball recruiting class, the question as to who is the best pure point guard is between a pair of star playmakers. Kentucky commit Robert Dillingham is one, while free agent Isaiah Collier is also in the mix.

Collier is a 6’3 guard out of Marietta, Georgia, and is a consensus top-20 recruit in the class. He’s a traditional “pass first” playmaker, exceptional as a passer, and someone that can have a major impact on his teammates. He’s a solid shooter and scorer but Collier is known for racking up assists and always being on quality offenses when he’s in charge.

After a solid past month on the AAU circuit, Collier has reportedly put out a list of four contenders to choose from; Michigan, Cincinnati, UCLA, and USC. Which of them is the best potential landing spot for the guard? Here’s how I would rank the contenders.

4. Cincinnati Bearcats

The program is moving to the Big 12 a year from now and will be a nice spotlight for Collier to play at. He’ll also be the clear lead guard on the roster, as Indiana transfer Rob Phinisee and returning guard David DeJulius will both be gone. The issue here is that there won’t be a ton of talent for the recruit to play with outside of current top-30 class of 2023 commit Rayvon Griffith. Of the four options, Cincinnati is the least likely to make the postseason for the 2023-23 campaign.

3. USC Trojans

USC is looking for a revamped backcourt, assuming that both Drew Peterson and Boogie Ellis aren’t around after next season. Collier will be in the Pac-12 if he picks them since the Big Ten move isn’t until later but he’ll still be in Los Angeles to help maximize his profile. The key will be whether or not five-star freshmen forwards (Vince Iwuchukwu and Kijani Wright) are back a year from now to pair with Collier. If not, the staff will have work to do to build out the roster.

2. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins will need a new point guard once senior Tyger Campbell is gone after next season. And top-5 incoming freshman combo guard Amari Bailey is also likely to leave as well. That leaves Will McClendon and four-star playmaker Dylan Andrews on the roster. Collier can come in and take over as the lead guard once he arrives and head coach Mick Cronin is one of the best in NCAA Basketball and would be a good fit for the five-star guard as well.

1. Michigan Wolverines

With Frankie Collins having transferred out, it’s Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn that’s set to run the Michigan offense next season. Four-star freshman Dug McDaniel is the backup but it’s not clear if he’s the guy to lead a Big Ten offense. Collier can definitely come in and have a major impact out the gate and if Hunter Dickinson returns for his senior season, could be part of a preseason top-10 team for 2023-24.

All four programs could use Isaiah Collier and he wouldn’t have much trouble finding minutes. The option that presents the most likely opportunity to win (if he’s a one-and-done) and be on a national stage is Michigan, with UCLA closely behind. With a decision reportedly coming soon, one of the top guards will be off the board, with one of these four getting great news for the future.